We have forgotten how to run...

I have stumbled across this amazing eBook about running technique (with some beautiful illustrations too).  I've never really gotten on well with running-but have always wanted to.  I'm feeling pretty inspired to give it a go now!

bone-shaker

At the store we are stocking bone-shaker magazine.  It's a publication put together by a couple of the guys at Bristol Bike Project.  Stunning photography, illustrations and bike related articles.  This is issue #1, set to be quite an exciting project I think.  They are available to buy at various stockists in Bristol and London, but if you cant track one down they are also available to buy on their website.

There's a quote on the back cover from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that reads: "When the spirts are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking."

new peddles

So I've been rather lame of late...not blogging.
Getting caught up in lots of random goings on...

• went snowboarding in France
• been to a few gigs
• working on my accessories company
• working in the shop
• got mumps...or rather mump
• went to a friends hindu/civil wedding
• ...and (when I was back to full health after the mump) I've been riding

At the weekend I bought some new peddles.  My previous ones were a little bit small, I lost my footing every now and again.  So I got these Shimanos from 14 Bike Co.  Way more stable under foot, I kind of have a bit more umph to my stride!

Also the old peddles had a metal spike on them that kept catching on my trousers.  I know it is a design feature, but me and my trousers weren't getting on with it at all.
Hopefully I have now darned my last peddle inflicted hole!

10 things I learnt last week

1    When your feeling tired and you want to have a break...keep going, it will soon pass.
2    London's road ways can be very confusing to begin with!
3    It's a lot easier to indicate if you're sat back in your seat.
4    Wear underwear that wont bunch up, because that can be annoy-ing I tell you!
5    Nobody thinks they look good in a helmet, so just get on with it and wear one.
6    Cycling is thirsty work, drink lots of water (do not substitute for beer!)
7    Going up hill on a single speed is totally do-able.
8    I'm feeling like a kook, but that's ok because I'm still learning.
9    This is a big one...cycling in the city, it's really not that scary.
10  And finally...blue jeans and a white bike seat do not mix! (check out exhibit A)

in my own time

So I got this bike with a view to commuting to work on it.  I've been riding it lots...just not in central London.  That's been something I had to psych myself up for.  And it wasn't just the intimidation of London traffic, there were also the snowstorms which swept the nation.  But now the weather has perked up massively, and I've been getting more road savvy so I decided it was time to ride into the West End to work.  Yesterday I had a day off, so I decided that it was a good time to do a dry run from home to work (so there was no pressure of needing to get in at a set time).
I checked out my maps and figured out a route that didn't look too bewildering.  Admittedly I got lost a couple of times along the way, on account of one way streets, but I made it!  And I tell you...I don't know why I had been putting it off for so long!  Granted it took me double the time it should have, but so what.  Now I know the route in there should be no stopping me.
I left my bike at work so tonight I can ride it home...just need to decipher the maps again, because it's going to have to be a completely different route on account of one way streets.
I heard a rumour that cyclist may soon legally be able to cycle down one way streets the wrong way...I hope so because it would make plotting A to B a lot less confusing!

riding in luxembourg

spring has sprung

I haven't written in a while...the weather here has been fickle...and so too have I!
I have been out for a little raz here and there when the weather has been kind, but nothing note worthy.
Still loving the bike, although it's forcing me to see how unfit I have gotten over the winter months!  Now that spring has sprung I am going to start riding in to work and back (soon), which will be a round trip of about 2 hours a day.  A little daunting...but I am stoked about it.  I started out as very anxious cycling the streets of London, but gradually I have gotten more and more relaxed.  Riding out of the saddle, indicating, reading the roads better, are becoming more natural than...well 5 months ago.  Let me be clear, I am by no means cocky about my abilities!

Anyways, last week me and my dad drove to Luxembourg for a short trip.  I grew up there for a few years, and my parents still have a house there.  They've decided to sell up, and they recently found a buyer.  So I went over to say my good byes to the house, the village, the country (I don't know if I will ever return)...but most importantly while I was there I needed to sort through all my old belongings, and pack up what I wanted to keep.  There was a lot to sort through- and I ended up clearing out 2 full car loads worth of recycling!!

I managed to persuade my dad to let me bring my bike away with us.  So when all the boxes were sorted through we went down to the river front and I had a ride around.  It was a beautiful 19 degrees over there, the hottest day yet this year (not scorching but I whapped my shorts on never the less)!

I did take some photos...and I will post them up as soon as my computer stops playing up.

So I'm back blogging, and am really looking forward to Spring :)