A Nice Gentle Evening Ride.

Hello Blog lovers,

I can tell you, both me and the Old Boy were not really in the mood for going out, it was cold and dark, and we were later than usual due to me working a little later. But we went out anyway.

We got all our riding gear on, me with double gloves today, my bike gloves and some woolly ones over those! We checked our bikes lights are all on and working and set off.

The Old Boy wanted to do a route we have done before. through the ally, up to the Keston Mark and then right through to coney hall. I didn't mind that route, its not too bad, hill wise that is, but I do remember a rather bumpy unloved piece of road that is a right bone shaker. And its on a down hill! I love going faster on the down hills but this part of the road is just so bad, so many potholes and the tarmac is coming up and all sorts! And its quite a busy part of the road too, so you are kind of stuck on that part of the road.

It seems I was keeping up with the Old Boy, either that or he has slowed down for me! Hmm I know he said he was tired, but I think its because of my bike! Just an altogether better ride. Every Traffic light I was more or less behind him, the only one that I didn't quite manage was the first set at Keston Mark, but I wasn't far behind him. I knew the route, but I also know my sense of direction, and somewhere on this Croydon road we will be turning right, but they all seemed the same to me, so it was just as well I was keeping up with his twinkling lights!!

It really did feel like it was an easy ride, neither of us looked as if we were pushing ourselves, and before long were where turning right on to Westmoreland Road! The hill here normally gets me blowing a bit, but not today. "Oh, wow, surely I haven't got fitter over night" I thought to myself. Then we were turning left to go through Bromley, up hill! Now this one really does have me blowing out my backside! It maybe short but its steep, and I have to make sure that I don't cycle in the bus lane like I did last time, I'm sure I was holding up a bus on the last ride up here!

There I was riding up the hill, and this little ditty that has been in my head since Keston is still going round my head. It is keeping time for my legs to keep on peddling up hill, the ditty is "Keep on peddling, keep on peddling, keep on peddling, peddle power!" This kept me going, believe it on not. I wasn't even glaring daggers at the Old Boy today, the whole ride so far was.......easy! I am going to have to push myself harder, go up a gear on my bike and work harder! Or we are going to have to find harder routes, with more hills!

Going through the high street, slowly of course, we both feel we have done this route quicker than we did last time. I am not feeling exhausted or anything. It feels like a pleasure ride. On through Bromley Hill, still just a leisurely pace, I should have pushed myself, but, but......well no excuses, I should have pushed myself. BUT I was going as fast as the road would allow me to go safely! That is important as well.

Turning right onto London Lane, and today is when I noticed that you are not actually allowed a right turn here. So I used the pedestrian crossings to get over, I'm sure last time I rode my bike on the wrong side of the road, luckily there wasn't any traffic coming from London Lane then!

Today the Old Boy stayed on the road and we negotiated the roundabout and rode straight into Plaistow Lane. So much better than getting of the bike and walking, and getting back on and waiting for a space to ride again.

The ride home was just enjoyable. I know I should have pushed harder, we were soon on to Blackbrook lane. This is a lovely road to ride on, smooth virtually all the way, and I peddled in a slightly harder gear to get to the end. The I saw the Old Boy turn left into Southborough instead of going straight over to ride through the park, but today, I didn't care I was quite looking forward to tackling the hill, give myself a least a bit of workout this evening!

So up the hill we went! The same little ditty going through my mined, "Keep on peddling, keep on peddling, keep on peddling, peddle power!" Did it! I cant remember if I groaned a bit, I know I was looking out for that jogger that over took me last time! I'm sure I did moan, just before the crest, but, wow!! Is it the bike, or is it me!! I would so love it if it was me!!

We turned left at Nightingale Lane and headed off home, talking about the teething problems on our new bikes. The gears not quite 'getting into place' or maybe its us that are not quite used to changing the gears just yet.

Reached home, stopped the Garmin and so for the geeky stats. And have you noticed that if I wear the heart rate monitor it shows calories burned as a lot less than if I didn't wear it. So who knows, what the calorie burn up on a ride like this is.

What If I kept On Running?

Hi blog readers.

Well today I went out running. It seems to be an age since I last did any sort of running, and my goal that I set my self this month is most certainly not going to be achieved!

After church I threw in some washing, and a quick clean up of the kitchen before I got changed to go running. I texted Naggy to see if she was coming, but she had already made arrangements to go to a friends house, but as she told me she was going to be running first thing this morning, there was no need to tell her off for not running today.

As it was a solo run I got my toonz plugged into my ears. The new earphones are much better than the 'over the head' ones that I have been using, and it cut off all the outside world, so it was just me and my run. Oh don't worry, I make sure I am very vigilante when crossing roads, always stop and look, never just run out, not when I have my earphones in.

It was quite cold out, and it took my breath away, but I knew I would soon warm up. I have noticed my breathing is all over the place again. The cycling is good, and it gives you a good work out, without all the impact on your joints, but the running is so much harder. Hollingworth Hill was a struggle today, I know I have ran up here in one go before, but today I just couldn't manage it, but I made sure I only stopped for about 5 steps, took a deep breath and carried on.

I tried and tried to not stop but I just couldn't do it. The Old Boy and Naggy tell me that its all in my head, in fact they both sat at my table once a discussed me, while I was sat there with them and how its all in my head that I can't get the whole way round. I don't know what it is, but the jogging/walking thing has stuck in my head and that, at the moment is how I am getting around these routes.

I was soon into Petts wood, I like to run pass the Daylight Inn, showing off to all those unhealthy smokers outside, but today I couldn't even manage that, I did have one of my mini challenges before then, i.e. I was 'racing' a walker, and I needed to get passed him before he got to the parked car, (which I am pleased to say I did) but that did puff me out before I got to the pub. I was quite relieved that there was no smokers outside today, its not a good advert for getting fit to see a jogger walking along looking exhausted!

From the Pub I ran to the walk over bridge, and walked over the bridge! Usually there are people on here when I get to here, which is why I generally walk over, but today there wasn't, but I still walked. Lazy mare!! I gave myself a telling off and then carried on running, to the main road and crossed over to head down Southborough Lane.

I like running down here, I seem to pick up speed, or it may just 'feel' like it, but running down hill really gives you an ego boost and makes you feel like a proper runner! Another stop or two before I get to the second Oxhawth, with a firm telling off, and even a little whimper that I just can't run the whole way. Pathetic, I know! But running down Oxhawth composing myself, a wet face, tears probably, but also because it was cold and it always gets my eyes watering, determined to get to the beginning of the hill before I even think about stopping again, if I even do stop! But then a car stopped and caught my eye. It was Naggy herself.

"Oh, you're running already" she says to me, and then promptly gets a toot from the car behind. She stopped in the middle of the road! She pulled over and I went over for a quick chat. "How you doing so far" she asked, "Not too bad" I said as I looked at the Garmin, "Oh that is pretty good" she said as she noticed the time, I stopped the Garmin after about a minute of chatting to her, and we caught up on stuff that happened over the past couple of days. Then I found out that she never actually went running this morning, she was doing what I am going to do as soon as I finished my run, housework! I was cooling down pretty quickly chatting to Naggy, and my garmin had thought I had gone to sleep altogether as it wanted to 'power down'.

So after a few more minutes we said our goodbyes and I started my Garmin again and tried to run Oh my goodness I really did cool down, my legs had stiffened up, I was moving like I was an eighty year old!! Why didn't I keep moving at least while I was chatting to her, bending knees, or stretching, or in fact, just run on with a quick wave. but you know what women are like! Love to chat, especially me! Well, you can tell by my blogs. I kept trying to move a little quicker, but my legs just refused to go any faster, I needed to warm up again! I decided I would use this last little incline to push hard and get myself warmed up again, before getting to the 'Road That I dare Not Stop On'

I got to the top and headed on down, my legs were warming up again and I could move a little better. Now, concentrate Old Girl, "And get your ass down this road". I ran as fast as I dare, I knew I wasn't allowing myself to stop on this part of the route, I knew that there was still just over about a quarter of a mile to go and I didn't want to burn myself out.

All the way now, I was totally focused on getting home, I picked up some speed just before I turned onto my road (I am getting braver) and just run like mad down the road, up my path and stopped the Garmin (officially) "Blimey Old Girl" I thought, "If you didn't stop for a chin wag...."

Well who knows eh? Maybe I would have been slower on the non stop road, or maybe not, but I totally blame Naggy for stopping me..........and me...... as I have always said, I am one of lifes lazy people, any excuse really and I will stop! Got to get tough on me. And besides, there was so much to talk about, couldn't have done that all by text or facebook chat!

So geeky stats, and you will notice the elapsed time and the moving time etc, so you can see how long me and Naggy chatted for!

NEW TRANSPORT!!

Hello blog lovers.

Well the Old Boy has again done what he promised and bought this Old Girl a new bike!

I didn't realise it was all so complicated and confusing to buy a bike. I just look at a bike and say "I want that bike in white thanks," but it's not as simple as that. There is the size to figure out, the style of bike, either a cross bar or the ladies style, a step through type. Then there is the reach, and the leg position on peddles. Then there's mountain bikes, and road bikes, and racers, and hybrids, and different handle bars, and gears and number of gears. On top of all that it has to suit the Old Boys pocket!

I eventually found a bike after looking in bike shops in Biggin Hill, Hayes and two more in Bromley! I ended up getting the bike that I first saw last Thursday!! I know all you girls can relate to that (or is that just me?)

It was too late to go for any sort of pleasure ride with the Old Boy, because we were in the car and he had to drive home while I rode home on my new bike. Once home though, we cooed and arred over the new arrival, then we started to compare his bike to mine, and who had the bestest and whose is the cleanest and whose can go the fastest, you know the sort of thing. I think we came to the conclusion that it still takes a rider to get the best out of the bike.

"Come on then" says the Old Boy, "lets get out for a quick 10 miler" I was more than keen, as my bike had brand new blinking lights too! "We'll go down to Greenstreetgreen" he says, but by the time we had got our gear on the Old Boy had changed his mind, he said something about Farnborough Village as well. Of course me not being the greatest navigator in the world, and I have never really paid any attention when we have been in the car as to what way we were going, I presumed that we are still going to GreenstreetGreen and then on to Farnborough from there.

Going up the A21 I kept up with the Old Boy, I was getting used to the gearing and the way I have to change gear, but soon the hill slowed me down a bit. I kept on going, I could see the Old Boys blinking lights, and even saw another cyclist overtake him just as he over took me. So I kept my head down, and just peddled and peddled. Just after the last roundabout before GreenstreetGreen I had to pull over because I had a phone call. By this time I couldn't see the Old Boys lights and I presumed it was him anyway, and he was waiting by the Rose and Crown for, wondering if I was ok. But, that is not how it was. The Old Boy had turned off by Starts hill and was indeed heading up to Farnborough Village! I had got it wrong! There is obvisouly not a way to get to Farnborough from GreenStreetgreen, and he had been through the Villiage and passed the pubs, and back again to the traffic lights to find me. Now as I am writing this he is still moaning that I don't listen! And that I got it wrong. Hmm, well maybe! Or he should have made his self clearer!

Now that I know we are not going to Farnborough Village there is only one way home, and that is up hills. Either Crofton Road, or Knoll Rise, or Perry Hall or Poverest!! Oh, well, at least I can test the gears out on this bike, and at least it will put to rest the argument that it is indeed power and not gearing that gets you up the hills! I still have to peddle, it's me that has to do all the work, no matter what sort of bike is underneath my tenderised bottom!

The Old Boy said that we should go up PerryHall lane! My nemesis, (one of many I might add) and this will be a test. So far I have never got up this in one go, or two goes, in fact I usually walk it! So lets see if I have got fitter! I could hear the Old Boy behind me as we go up just a slight incline "Is this it, is this what you been moaning about?" I told him that we not got there yet, just up a little bit more and then there it was. Rising up high. I can feel the hill as I begin the ascent, "This is a pimple" says the Old Boy, But I know that this hill wants me to fail, it wants me to get off and walk on its pavements, and have another little laugh at the Old girl as she trys to get fitter!

To my surprise I passed the place where I first stopped, I passed the second place that I stopped and kept going, it was hurting, my legs where screaming at me to stop, I could see the roundabout up the top, "I just want to get there, just to the round about, and I will be happier." I said to myself. The Old Boy decided to be behind me as we tackled this hill, I knew that he would be watching me, seeing if I am fitter, seeing if it can do it.

Yes. Yes. Yes. I made it to the round about and then had to get off! There was no way I could have negotiated that as well, my legs were hurting me. But I had got to the place I said I wanted to, maybe if this roundabout wasn't here I could have kept going. The Old Boy just looked at me, tutted and shook his head, and then carried on. I walked over to the other side of the road, found a safe place to put the bike on the road again and then finished the hill!! One stop on the dreaded hill, yes, I am pleased with that.

I overtook the Old Boy again and continued to lead, but as I have already mentioned I am not very good at navigating, or remembering routes, and now this route is in the dark, I did get a little lost. "Why you heading to Chislehurst" says the Old Boy. "Oh should we have turned left there" I says. The Old Boy just raised his eyebrows again and said "Thats ok, we can go this way and maybe do Summer Hill, or we could go through PettsWood" You can guess which one I opted for!

When I realised where were were, I was thinking that we were going to go back to the orignal route, over the walking bridge, straight down the road and turn left in to Oxhawth. But the Old Boy had other ideas, as he was in the lead again. We went through the high street, turned right to the roundabout and right again and went through Pettswood on the other side. He went straight down Southborough and passed both Oxhawths and turned left when we got to the first pub to go through the park!!

A pleasant ride! An enjoyable ride, and a very good test for the new bike!

Yup, I think I like this bike, and I am sure it is going to help in getting me fit!

Geeky stats for test ride, and I have even included a picture of me on my new bike!

My Ride Today!

Hello Blog readers.

I know it says my ride today, but this blog is actually about yesterday. I am writing it now, because I didn't have time to write it last night. There still maybe another blog coming about today's exercise, but we shall just have to see about that.

The Old Boy asked me to map out my own route, rather that one that he has chosen, and since looking at some new bikes, and seeing how light they are, and how light the Old Boys bike is, I thought I would do a fairly easy route, until I get my new bike that is.

So I decided to do one of my routes that I have done before, but only in the opposite direction. Its about 10 miles, well it was until the Old Boy stuck on another mile or so at the end! Its the route that I take up to the second pub that I use to pop into for my lunch, only there won't be any stopping tonight.

We set off and it is bitterly cold. My fingers I'm sure were being stuck to the brakes, like your tongue did on ice lollies when you were a child! Not only that, there is a head wind coming at us, urging us to go back home, stopping us from wanting to go out. "These are the days when you have a good ride" says the Old Boy. My goodness, what is he on about! "Eh?" I says to him. "You know, the days when you don't really want to go out, its cold and its horrible, but you end up having a good work out" I just looked at him, tears streaming down my face through the cold, snot coming out of my nose and my hands welded to the handlebars, "Really" I says.

But we push on. I am looking forward to going down Perry Hall lane, those few times of going up this road, or trying to go up knoll rise, has really made me hate hills. So to ride on this road without stopping, its like I have conquered it!, (even if I am going down it) I can smile and ride on this road and say, "there, I haven't stop, take that you gradient hill!"

But the Old Boy thinks this is still going to be a very hilly ride. I know there is going to be some hills, because when I have been riding the other direction then I have had to go up hills, and then come down them, but they don't look or feel as steep as that dreaded Perry Hall lane. These are do-able in my mind. Not a problem. (I hope)

The wind seemed to be at us, even when we changed direction, always in my face, making me blind with my tears. I squeeze my eyes shut as tightly as I can but as quickly as I can, it really helps that you can see where you are going while on a bike! The tears disappear for a short while. I have noticed my hands warming up now, unless the have just fallen off. And I know I am warm in my coat, but my legs are so cold.

Perry Hall lane soon comes, and flying down it, now that's more like it, speed on Perry hall lane, yippee! All the way down to the one way system, but those darn tears are blinding me again now, what with the cold and now the speed! But it felt good. Through the high street, there was such a lot of traffic about, and all the cars seem to take up my space on the road! How dare they. All I need is a space to ride my bike, but they seem to have taken that up with their big petrol guzzling, pollution making lazy machines! don't they know who I am? tut.

"Go on the pavement" says the Old Boy, I think he had enough of eating the exhausts from the cars too. So we rode on the pavement, not fast, but definitely faster than those smelly cars! We soon got to the memorial and across the roundabout, and was heading up hill. Yes, it is a hilly route, and I am remembering all the down hills that are in this route going the other way, but, they are still do-able, they are still more easier that riding up Perryhall, definitely! I am sure of it!?

We soon get to Greenstreetgreen, and the Old Boy says to go on the cycle path, rather than ride on the road. Now I remember the cycle path on the other side of the road. It was bumpy, and puddle ridden and dark. "is there a cycle path that side" I said to him, hoping that there wasn't "Yeah, I have seen people riding on there" he says. Round the roudnabout, through the pub car park and on to the cycle path. I am begining to think the Old Boy is secretly scared of riding on roads, but to my surprise this side of the road the path was quite good, hardly any tree route bumps, or puddles, in fact it was quite a smooth ride. "Oh Wow, this is better" I said to the Old Boy, "Yes" he said "And I'm sure its lighter as well." It did look brighter on this side of the road.

And now for the climb up towards Bromley. I do like coming down this way, and I do seem to cruise down for quite a while, going in the other direction, and now I am thinking maybe it wasn't such a good idea of mine to ride in the other direction! But we got there, and some more lovely rides down. Of course I was expected to turn right at the bus garage and the go up PrincesPlain road, and then turnaround lamppost and home. But the Old Boy said, "We can't just leave it there, we need to go at least to the bottom of the road, and then turn right by the Crown" he says. I agreed, muttering under my breath. Well I'm out, its not that far home now, might as well go for it.

We get to the Crown and the Old Boy is in front of me, I think he is showing off, because I did over take him while we were on the A21, when he said he was 'waiting' for me again, chuckle. I expect he will keep an eye out for me though. Up and up Southborough Lane now, but there is no way I am going into Petts Wood. My legs are beginning to hurt or ache, or complain, or it could be that its all psychological (spell check again) but I really didn't feel it was necessary going to Petts Wood tonight.

There were quite a lot of joggers about, heading towards me, they were running down the hill, but I spied one going in the opposite direction, "I shall catch her up, this can be a little mini workout" I thought to my self. I peddled like mad up the incline getting nearer and nearer to the jogger. "Blimey, she likes her running" I thought. I managed to get up next to her, I gave her a quick sidewards glance, but she was totally in the zone and didn't notice me, and then I rode on by. But the hill was getting slightly steeper, my peddling was getting slower, I could see the Old Boy on the other side of the road at top Oxhawth waiting for me. Plodding along on my way, not in any particular rush until, that is, the jogger came up beside me and was overtaking me! "No way, no way!" I thought to myself, "Not with the Old Boy watching me as well I bet she done that on purpose" And so I peddled like mad up hill, slowly catching up to her, it was hard work (and please, no falling about laughing from those cyclists who overtake other cyclists, remember I have only just started doing this!)and........to be truthful, I only just managed to overtake her before I got to top Oxhawth. But, OH, was I pleased that I did. I would have never have lived it down if I didn't.

"She nearly caught up with you again" the Old Boy said, I think I may have mumbled something. "That was quite a hilly route" he said to me after. I said "well, yes, whats the point of a fitness ride if there is not at least a little challenge" I said with a smile.

Now dinner time!

Geeky stats

Calm Before The Rest Day

Hello Blogers

I am seriously thinking about starting another blog, one for cycling! I have been doing a lot of it lately, and today hasn't changed, I did more cycling with the Old Boy!

"I just fancy doing an easy ten miles today babe" he says to me. When I mapped out the instructions yesterday, it was 10 point something miles. Quite do-able before dinner, and starting off a bit later, but I was looking forward to it.

We set off, the Old Boy lit up like a christmas tree, with new lights, blinking back and front! Me with my boring non blinking lights, (and I had to change the batteries en route too). The Old Boy headed up towards the usual way, towards turnaround lamppost, but then spun round and headed towards Faringdon. I followed on, being mesmerised by both of his lights.

"So where we going?" I asked him, "The route you mapped out yesterday" he said. "Ok, I shall follow you then" And so we were off.

I thought he was going to go up Hollingworth, that is a steep hill, but its all over and done with in a couple of minutes, but he decided to go down to the next right turn and do the slightly less steeper hill, but it does go on for a bit longer. I'm glad its not rain out, although it was earlier, and the ground is wet with puddles in the kerbs.

We rode up Crofton and then turned right towards Locksbottom. This is the route I have done a few times by myself, but usually in the day time! The Old Boy is a lot faster than me, I'm not sure if its his bike with the millions of gears, or if its because he is stronger than me, or if its just because I ride at a snails pace, but he has to wait for me to catch up! I like to think its because he has to have a rest!

I managed to get up to Locksbottom, and we are heading straight over. I was already In the right lane, the Old boy wasn't, well he had pulled over to wait for me! From here it is a really pleasant ride, well, when I say pleasant, the hills are not too bad, but the road!! It's full of potholes, and breaks, and bumps, and dips, and puddles! My bottom has be tenderised!

It's just a long road that we are following, no right or left turns yet, and down hill as well. It certainly is an easy ride today, in readiness for tomorrows rest day, well for him, I am hoping to get a run in first thing in the morning! It was a long road, uneventful, nothing to write home about, or blog about. And the we turned right, and then a left, into Tiepegs Road. A weird name I thought, I wonder if it has any reason why its called that?

I can remember, another hill, and I'm sure this is where I had to change batteries. I wish the Garmin site was up and running, since I have been using the Garmin I can follow my route, and remember what I was thinking. Oh well, back to the old days, and use the old grey matter again.

We were cycling up Westmorland road but then he turned off and headed towards Bromley south, and up that hill. But instead of turning right and headed off home, he turns left and heads on back towards Bromley. Where the flippin nora is he going!

We were going the same way we did yesterday, down London Lane and then head towards Plastow Lane. More hills. Oh well, its a rest day tomorrow! I shall have earned my rest day! Hills to ride up and come down. Thank goodness it's still not raining. We soon came to Southborogh Lane. But instead of going straight across, the way that I mapped it out yestereday, the Old boy heads off up to PettsWood. "Where the f....flippin heck is he going?" I just followed on. Not liking this heading up towards PettsWood business, one bit, but maybe he will turn down Oxhawth and head on home from there. But OH NO! Straight past Oxhawth, and the second one. That's where a little ditty popped into my mind, and I'm sorry people, but I'm too much of a lady, and not going to repeat what I was saying, in fact I am going to wash my mind out with soap!

Up the hill to Pettswood, we ride, up another flamin hill, why would he do that to me, why, why. Has he not done enough for today?!! But I keep following, no stopping, I don't want to give him the satisfaction! Besides, the expletives coming from me is very therapeutic!

"You did that really well" he said to me, I just glared at him before I said "Why did you just make me do that hill, I thought we were going through the park?" "Well, I thought you could do with a little bit extra as we are having a rest day tomorrow"

A nice gentle ride home now. Not bombing it, just slowly going home, easy on the legs.

Stop the Garmin, after the Old Boy reminded me, yet again. So the stats are:-

Please Summer, Get Here Soon!

Hello Blog lovers.

What a ride that was today! In the words of Jeremy Clarkson, "It was a wet lap"

I had a bit of a weekend, and I was totally bushed. I didn't even get out for my usual Sunday run after church! I really was very tired indeed!

I wasn't quite my usual bubbly self first thing this morning, as the little lads mum noticed. I do try not to look too scary for the kids first thing in the mornings, but sometimes fail miserably! But after a pleasant day looking after the little lad, and no school run, I felt ok for a 10 miler with the Old Boy.

We set off, and it was rather chilly, but we were both wrapped up nice and warmly, the Old Boy with his woolly hat on. We rode down to turn around lamppost and beyond, towards Keston. "We are going to ride straight up, past the Ponds, and the do a right" the Old Boy informs me. Now I know most of you who read this know the route, and the route is one long huge, long huge, did I say long huge hill, up to the ponds and then more! It started raining, (before I even got to the ponds) I really wanted to say to the Old Boy, "Look its raining, how about making it a short ride back home" But he was up ahead of me, I could see his little light blinking away. I had to carry on and try and catch him up.

I crossed over the road at the Keston Mark (well, I still know it as that) by the garage, and the Old Boy was waiting for me. I know why he was waiting, he was wanting to get behind me, to keep me from stopping, to encourage me to get up this f.........lipping hill! As I said to the Old Boy, and as I readily admit to myself and all who ask, I am one of lifes lazy people. I could quite easily sit and watch telly, play on the compter, even do ps2 singstar, and improve my karaoke performances!. It takes determination and motivation to get me off my comfy chair. But I do like riding, I like riding on flat routes, I like riding down hills, and looking at scenery, and stopping for lunches and swift halves. But that is not going to get me fit!

Right moaning done. Like I said, this hill just goes on and on. I had to stop a couple of times. The hill is really that long and that huge. I told the Old boy to go on and I will see him at the top, but, being the gentleman that he is, he waiting for me. I stopped about twice just after the ponds, so not too bad. I kept on going though (until I stopped again). We soon reached the top, I don't know how fast (well slow) I got up the hill, but once at the top it was a beautiful ride down as we turned right. This is part of the road that the Old Boy wanted me to finish when we first picked his bike up. So I know this road is all down hill!

But would you believe I had to stop. Yup, I was going so fast, the rain was coming down, and I was puffing like a steam engine. I had to stop and clear my glasses! It was a fun ride home from here, the rain even eventually stopped. We rode passed the GreyHound pub, and headed on into Hayes, and passed the 'Ribs' restaurant. MMMMM, you gotta love those ribs.

Hayes Lane soon came up, and the hill reminding me that I am not yet fit. Apparently I did the small hill very well, "A good momentum" The Old Boy said. But Hayes Lane, I really had to concentrate on the old breathing, and keeping the legs going. When we got to the top, The Old Boy said the from here, it was going to be straight across to Homesdale, up towards Page Heath Villas (you know, the posh sounding place, but it isn't really) and then on to Blackbrook lane, turn left and up to the very top!

The Old Boy was in front of me as we crossed over the road. I know this route, I have run this road with Naggy, and at the bottom of this road is the hill. The Old Boy was well in front of me, but as I knew where we were heading it didn't bother me, no doubt he will wait for me at the top the hill, to make sure I rode up the whole thing.

Head down and get the hill out of the way. Did it! Turn right into, Page Heath Villas, waiting to see the Old Boy and give him a grin to say that I did it. But the Old Boy wasn't there! I rode on a bit and waiting under the bus stop, maybe he will come back for me, or maybe he was waiting at the top of the hill but somehow missed me!. I waiting for about 5 minutes. "Blooming cheek! The Old Boy has gone on without me" I thought. Well, I guess he knows that I know my way home from here! So I carry on. Not looking forward to going up Southborough Lane without my nagging voice behind me!

On Southborough now, the first part is nice and flat. I ride pass the road that takes me home "Why are you doing that" a little voice comes into my head as I look up towards Petts Wood. And then the incline starts. I start singing to myself in a monotonous, repetitive single tonal way "This is not the bloomin way home, this is not the bloomin way home" All the way to the top. Thoughts of the Old Boy sitting in doors by now, probably cooking dinner, and having a cup of tea ready for me, spurring me on. Done it! All the way! Non stop! I just got to the roundabout, when I heard a voice behind me "Straight on now babe!" It was the Old Boy!

Apparently I had misheard him. I was supposed to have gone on pass Page Heath, up the other side of the hill. The Old Boy did come back and look for me, he even rode down to Tescos to look for me, thinking I may have come off my bike! I think he needs to add on another half a mile or so looking for me (he he he) and extra hill work.

A nice ride home from here, with the Old Boy telling me how he was looking for me, and how eventually saw me when he got on to Blackbrook lane. He caught up with me on Southborough, but kept very quiet. He was waiting for me to stop on this bit and was looking forward to telling me "Don't even think about stopping!" But I spoilt his fun by getting up the whole way!

We were warmed up when we got back, now would that be the weather had warmed up, or we just got used to it, being as we were soaked through!

Geeky stats for you all.

Lazy/Busy Pleasure/Pain!!

Hello Blog watchers.

Today me and the Old Boy planned a lovely leisurely ride home from Sevenoaks. This is an alternative route to what the Old Boy had thought of before. He had in mind that we were going to ride home from Tonbridge, up some huge gradient hills, until someone in the know, who loves cycling, said that would be a very, very challenging route! So the Old boy thought about another one, after saying that he could quite easily do the Tonbridge ride!

To get to Sevenoaks we had to ride to Chislehurst Station. This is so that we didn't have to carry the bikes up and over bridges to get on to the platform, we could just ride through and be on the right one.




I didn't start the Garmin from when we left home. I am being quite tough on myself, and said that the ride doesn't start until we get to Sevenoaks. The sky is overcast and it is a little chilly out. It was so much nicer yesterday. Oh well, we are not going to let the weather spoil our lovely ride out today. Our train came in at 12:03 and we got out bikes on and managed not to upset anyone or get in any ones way! Which was one of my worries!

Sitting on the train, the Old boy just looked at his bike, the way he used to look at me. He even had that same smile! all too soon the train ride was over and we got off. Then the Old boy said to me that we have to carry our bikes up the stairs to get out of the station.

I let the Old Boy go up first, in hope that he will come back down and collect mine for me (which he didn't) and I struggled up the flights of stairs. I noticed another cyclists wanting to come down "How nice, he is waiting until I get up first" I thought to my self, but just as got to the top I noticed the lady with a suitcase,that got off the train with us, stepping out of the LIFT which the other cyclists was waiting for! "There's a bloomin lift!" I screeched at the Old boy, "That's the first time I have known that to be working" he says in defence.

Well, that done, can't grumble, we have 16 miles between us and a nice hot cuppa, with a lunch stop en route! So from here is where our journey begins. Here, take a butchers!

Ok, so I'm not looking glamarous, but this is a bike ride you know! We went straight across from the station and headed on towards Bat And Ball (peculiar name, I know) and I was just attempting a slight incline, probably like the incline up the A21, when Nagging Sister called me. Of course, being a woman I can't not answer the phone, I have to know what she wanted. The Old boy didn't notice that I had stopped to take a call. So after a short time I saw the Old Boy appear from the top of the hill as he came back to look for me.

Call done, (Nagging sister suitable impressed by my ride today) we attempted the hill again, (the second time for the Old Boy) and I managed to cycle up the hill, no problem. Onwards through Bat and ball. So far so good. Yes, this is going to be a pleasant ride, unlike the one he originally thought of.

Up now towards Otford. This is a lovely little village, with its own little duckpond in the middle. Here is a picture of it, with me as focal point of course.

Now, for the pain and busy bit. Just after this lovely little village, and the very nice ride to get here so far, there was a hill, and not the little hill that Nagging Sister stopped me from zooming up. Ok not as bad as Old Hill! (although it does look it, to me) but it goes on and on for about 2 miles. 2 miles of steep steep. Of course I didn't make it. I tried, I really did. I even overtook a bus that had parked at the side so I didn't have to stop, but then as I turned the corner (and saw the hill grow even more) some inconsiderate driver just got a little too close to me and I lost my momentum and a little confidence! I did ride up some the hill, just not all of it.

At the crest of the hill I felt elated, because before me was a down hill, it was stretched out, and I couldn't see the end of the gorgeous down hill stretch before me. I just flicked up my gears to the highest and tried to peddle as much as possible. I remember the Old Boy mentioned there was another hill just not as bad as the one we just done. Usually when going down hill I have my hands on the brakes and just giving them a gentle squeeze, but I was enjoying covering this distance and this speed, getting closer to Lunch Land! And by now, I thought I had done enough for a lovely lunch. One more small hill before we reached Eynsford, the place where we are having lunch.

It had just started to rain "Here's a cyclists trick" I said to the Old boy, and I produced at plastic bag from under my seat and covered my seat, "Oh that's a good idea he said and promptly took it me and covered his seat first then stretched what was left over mine!

Lunch was delicious though. We were in 'The Plough' at Eynsford, the Old Boy ordered a couple of diet cokes, but there was a small mistake about the charge for them, the barman had charged for bottle coke instead of draught, but after the Old boy said he could sort it out after as we will be having lunch here, the barman said, "well in that case, pudding is on me" Of course I wasn't planning on having pudding, but after such a super gesture like that how could I refuse!

Now this is the pleasure bit again. After that huge hill, and the small hill, now comes sheer indulgence. The pub is a lovely pub, and we were sat in really comfy seats. The Old boy ordered a salad, and I ordered the linguine. Not too difficult, nothing out of the ordinary, nothing that will need the skills of Gordon Ramsey. But we sat there, and sat there, we watched other people eat their lunch, and we sat there. We sat there until 2:30 before our lunch arrived! I didn't mind, but I was rather hungry by then. But when it arrived, mmmm, it was very tasty! Here's a pic of our lunches

We soon finished that, and it was on to the pudding! Unfortunately I was in eating mode by then and forgot to take a picture of the lovely trifle that turned up, (the Old Boy is not a pudding lover)

But because of the time, we had to eat and run. We paid up and went outside to get ready for the rest of the ride home. An hour and half we were there, approximate, but at least the rain had stopped.

Here's a picture of me, locating satellites on my Garmin, (after being reminded to by the Old Boy)




Now, those of you who know Eynsford and can guess the way that the Old Boy had in mind for the route home then you know what is store for me, and those of you who don't take a look at the geeky stats at the end! Just around the corner is where there is a huge hill, not something that you want to be doing just after having a delicious lunch, with pudding. I almost chundered at the sight of it, let alone trying to cycle up it!

You can guess, I didn't quite manage to do that. In fact we were overtaken by another cyclist, who called out rather politely "Lovely day, isn't it" and carried on riding up the hill as it it was nothing. After I stopped the Old boy had his competitive hat on and tried to catch up to the other guy, "I could have got him" he says.

At the peak of this hill is the bridge across the M25. I was exhausted, but I know that we are more that half way home now, so not long now, and the Old Boy did say that was the last big hill before we get home, "well until Poverest" he said with a smile.

We flew down the next couple of hills, it was like a roller coaster at the fair. A hill, then fly down, a smaller hill, then fly down. Then there was Poverest! "You are going to go up this in one go" Says the Old Boy "One go, no stopping" he barked again. "I will try" I said, not very convincingly. And so I did. I got up a very short way before I had to stop "Is that it, is that all you got, I'll give you eat trifle" he said, and he flew up the hill.

I tried again and again. I didn't want to walk up, I wanted to cycle up. so I cycled some and stopped, then cycled again and stopped until I got to the top! "There, I did it, I cylcled!" I said triumphantly to the Old Boy.

From here it was just through PettsWood, quick stop off at the local supermarket and home!

Done it. A very enjoyable afternoon out, with a delicious lunch. Cant wait for the next ride!

Geeky stats. And you will notice that it appears that we jump across peoples gardens again, but that is because I forgot to start the Garmin again after we stopped at the shop!



We got home, and we were both very cold, and the Old Boy said that the old family jewels have hibinated!!!