A new look for Ted.

A new look for Yeti Ted., a photo by Kitty*Kins on Flickr.

For my birthday I got a lovely white and turquoise Fizik saddle. (It is not a 100% colour match to the frame, but I think it's as close as I'll ever get.)

Anyway, after fitting the saddle Mikey told me that Ted now needed white bar tape, instead of the black tape he had. I wasn't convinced as it seemed wasteful putting new stuff on when the old stuff was fine but today when I awoke from a snooze on the sofa I found the bike pixie had visited and Ted had an all new look.

A bicycle made for two

As a birthday treat for me, we decided to hire a tandem.   The day before my birthday my Mum dropped us off at the hire shop, leaving us to ride the tandem back. I was very excited but really REALLY anxious as I've never been on one before. I don't ever remember being so nervous about anything! I felt SICK!

There was no time for nerves though -

Bicycling Birthday Bonanza

After a sleepless night due to noisy neighbours, I was not really in the mood to celebrate my birthday today, but after a cuppa and a bowl of Cheerios I started to feel human again and things began to look brighter as I started to open my pressies.

Mikey has extremely spoilt me this year and presented me with an array of amazing gifts, including a super pair of winter cycling boots which I have been desperate for since the summer turned to autumn/winter.  In his generosity he bought me some Shimano GoreTex boots.  I've been after winter shoes for a while now, but there doesn't seem to be much of a market for them in Cornwall... there's some school of thought here that overshoes are much better.  Anyway, after wearing the new boots on a cycling jaunt for cake at the beach this afternoon I definitely disagree.  They are the future for Cornish riders. I was warm and toasty despite the cold sea breeze.

Not content with spoiling me once I was amazed to also receive a set of much needed bicycle lights.  Not just any old lights though, he treated me to a set of rechargeable Exposure Flash and Flare lights.  So, after an early(ish) evening meal at our fave local Indian we decided to wrap up in our thermals and take our 2nd ride for the day to take the new lights for a test ride. It was the perfect ending to a super day.  Despite the cold temp it was still and the moon was bright. Living in such a rural area there are few streetlights so it gave them a good road-test.  They may look small but looks are deceptive.... they give out a huge amount of light and made me highly visible from a long distance. I'd highly recommend them.

Other fantastic pressies included a new waterproof jacket from my Mum and some super toasty Merino arm warmers from my Auntie and also some other merino goodies and tonnes of chocolate.

I can't believe how lucky and spoilt I have been and what an ace birthday I've had. Everything has been perfect, possibly the best birthday EVER. (Apart from one awful moment when a small bird flew straight into my head as I raced down a narrow hill, managing to get itself stuck momentarily in my helmet. Thankfully it didn't come to any harm, I think we were both a little shell shocked)

A belated blog about Mullertons Birthday Rides

The start of the month was Mikey's birthday which obviously involved a number bike rides.  The evening before his birthday involved a short but sweet ride to the beach (a mere mile and a half each way) for a pre-birthday game of boules and Frisbee. With a couple of bottles of beer in the pannier we then picked up a Chinese on the way and munched it whilst sitting on the surprisingly quiet sand. It was Ted's (the Cross Bike) first trip to the beach, so whilst there I decided to have a go at a moving dismount (in preparation for my CX debut).  I failed miserably and after a few unsuccessful attempts and hard bashes to my legs, I bottled it.  Was a great night though. Loved the boules (I won). On our way home, we stopped at a pub for a quick drink.

Talking of pubs, at some point at the around that time, there was also a short ride one evening to another local pub.  It was a wet evening though so out came Basil (my Hybrid) with his useful dynamo lights and mudguards and out came the Hi-Vis jacket. The journey was, again, only about a mile away, but on those cold wet unlit country lanes we didn't want to take any chances. It was real odd riding the hybrid again - he is a real sit up and beg bike and the position felt so peculiar.  I woulda been right at home in the Netherlands. =D

The birthday ride itself was also nice. A 15miler road ride along the local lanes, taking a carrot for my fave donkey.  Then a pit stop at a beach cafe for an ice cream.

Postponed until next year - Annual Birthday ride to the beach.

A homemade birthday cake
Originally uploaded by kittykins!

... A Birthday ride to the beach was the plan for today... it was supposed to be the start of a new annual birthday event! Sadly Mullerton was too "weak" (some would say pathetic!) from his recent (dental) op and the resulting complications.

Anyway, I just didn't have the heart to leave him in his sick-bed and go without him, so the new tradition had to be postponed until next next year.

Until then, I am just as happy with all the nice goodies I recieved, including this yummy home-made birthday cake and loads of great pressies.