A rubbish week...

Last week was a rubbish week and I only managed to get outside on my bike once, earlier on in the week. This ride was an interesting trip round the local lanes with Mikey. I always enjoy the local rides as it involves seeing a lot of wildlife and the local farm animals, but this route also encompasses a field of Donkeys. I adore Donkeys! You can never be glum when you see a donkey! Unfortunately, the donkeys weren’t out - I guess they aren’t fans of bad weather! It really was dire; the wind was brutal, (we seemed to have a headwind whichever way we turned!) but at least we managed to avoid most of the rain storms.

Irritatingly, it wasn’t just the miserable weather that kept me off my bike last week. I spent Thursday, Friday and most of Saturday imprisoned at home waiting for a delivery (which incidentally didn’t arrive despite countless promises by the company involved.) Then Saturday afternoon, was written off as I had to seek medical opinion on a rash on my arms and legs. As you can imagine, as it was a weekend and as I am in Cornwall, help and advice wasn’t that easy to find. I spent a good few hours finding and then waiting to be seen by an out-of-hours GP at a “cottage hospital”. Grrr…. one of the hazards of nursing elderly and vulnerable people is that it leaves you susceptible to catching nasty bugs. Out of all the minor illnesses and infections out there, trust me to pick up a frustratingly itchy one! So once again, I was captive within the confines of my own home. Not only because of the risk of spreading my lurgy, but because a ride in the torrential rain and freezing winds was pretty much out of the question - as it would make my already raw skin, even angrier by adding a dose of wind-burn.

Consequently, as I only managed to get outside to ride once all week, I found myself a few miles short of my weekly target. So, I had to take even more steps towards the dark side and use the turbo trainer. I really do despise it! It really is mind-numbingly boring and doesn’t even slightly compare to an invigorating ride outside. The only thing that keeps me doing it, is the fact that I really don’t want to see the fitness level that I have achieved plummet back to the abysmal level I was at 4 months ago. So, I just have to grit my teeth and try and make the most of a bad situation.

I have to admit though, that during the recent ‘real’ ride, I was quite chuffed as I found that my sessions on the rollers had not only maintained my fitness level but had helped to improve my overall stamina. I was delighted when I conquered a steep and long hill. Yeah OK I did have to stop once for a moment halfway to catch my breath but the last time I attempted this hill, I had to stop 3 times, so there’s a definite improvement. I guess I will have to keep this in mind next time I have to suffer more monotonous miles on the trainer!

Argh! ... but the weatherman is forecasting more of the same. I really don’t know how much more of the "trainer tedium" I can endure. I guess living so close to the sea does have it’s downside after all - those evil coastal winds! Ah well, winters in this neck of the woods aren't as long as those we are used to up North so spring will be here soon! ;-)