I cycle to the station every day. Long as its not raining. Its not far, maybe half a mile, but its far enough to save time and be much more enjoyable than the walk. Though in winter it takes longer getting home. Do up jacket, put on scarf, hat, gloves, hi-vis vest, lights, remove front chain, back lock… zzzzzzz. Then I’m off!!!

But because its the same journey every day you become very sensitive to changes. High winds; headwinds are no friend to a cyclist. Especially a fat cyclist. You need streamlined, wind-deflecting, rather than wide as a bus. Wet roads. And changes in your bike. Subtle changes. Breaking getting more difficult, gears not changing smoothly. And the ride getting just harder. Feeling like you’re dragging an anvil behind you. Everything much harder work than it should be. So whereas you normally take that little hill in 5th gear, now I’m in 2nd and struggling. Maybe its me??? Maybe I’m having a bad day? Getting too old to ride?? Weak legs??

So I took the bike for a service. Easier that taking me for a service. Cheaper too. In fact much cheaper. And they changed the break pads, cos they were worn (20 quid) and fitted a new chain (20 quid). Did you know chains on bikes wear out?? Who knew?? I’ll tell you who, the geezer in the bike shop who spent 25 minutes showing me everything that was worn or dodgy, why it had worn, how it had worn, the reason it was dodgy, the history of the person who first discovered that dodginess in 1863, absolutely everything about my old bike that I never knew, never wanted to know, never needed to know and yet now I do. I just wanted to say ‘THANK YOU BUT JUST MAKE IT BETTER!! But he was so nice.

The bike now feels turbo-charged. Oil on the chain, pump up the tyres and that’s what happens, I reckon. Almost feeling ready for some lycra. Nooooooooo…

Happy Monday

A xxxx