2 posts tagged “challenge 2008”
So I did it. This afternoon I stopped procrastinating and, even though the snow was starting, I headed out on the bike for the first time in 8 years. Let me say that riding a road bike and riding an exercise bike are two different things. You probably know that. Let me also say that a helmet doesn't keep your head warm.
I spent 30 mins on the bike riding 5 miles around the local park and discovering a new part of the city that everyone else seems to know about.
I returned and then went for a walk around another park with my friend Tony thus notching up another 7000 steps in the process. It's now 9pm on Easter Monday and I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself after for actually doing something with my weekend. I'm heading back to work tomorrow feeling pretty positive and I'm very proud of that given that there have been plenty of things happen over the past 5 days that could drag me down. I guess I'm just not going to let them.
Little things get me excited. Exercise, or perhaps the promise of change as a result of, gets me excited. This weekend the small exercise thing to get me excited was my bike arriving at my flat. It has been my bike since the late 80s but somwhere along the way I got out of the habit of using it. In fact it's been my Dad who's used it most in the past 10 years.
Yesterday my bike and I were reunited and to celebrate I went out today to buy some 'bike stuff'. Did you know that Tesco stocks loads of things for your bike and I now own a lot of it. You'll be pleased to hear that I stopped short of buying the lycra shorts because, to be honest, the people of Scotland aren't ready for the sight of me in lycra nor the unsightly bulges that would no doubt result.
Last time I was on a bike would've been the summer of 2000 when I went mountain biking with some of the campers of Camp Androscoggin. As I recall we covered 30 miles over the course of that day.
So I have the bike and the gear but I don't know where to go. Glasgow City Council produced a series of leaflets detailing routes around Glasgow a few of which I picked up while I was in their offices a few weeks ago. Tonight I went searching for details about the Glasgow to Edinburgh cycle routes and found the Sustrans website. In particular I found these publications which will shortly be heading to me: Forth to Clyde cycle routes and Glasgow & South West Scotland routes.
All I need now is some good weather this summer.
