Cyling From Scratch: And So It Begins (Post 1)

Whoops! 

I've gone and done something....something rather out of character, something completely out of my comfort zone, something ridiculously challenging and something I've never done before.

This blogger will be cycling 350 miles from Paris, via the D-Day beaches, to London next June and boy, have I got a lot of work to do. Due to being a complete amateur when it comes to biking, I've decided to blog about the journey I have found myself on. Please see below for my first post about this exciting and ever so nerve-wracking adventure. 

Now I hate to be controversial but according to fellow cyclists (because I can totes say fellow now!), having a bike is rather crucial when training and taking part in a 350 mile bike ride across Europe. Wild, I know! So with a trusted cycling buddy, I made my way across my little cathedral city to Halfords to look into purchasing aforementioned bike. There were a few options but ultimately, I (with a huge amount of input from said friend) settled on this lovely looking Carrera road bike. Now at this point, I would recommend you ask me zero questions about this bike. My knowledge is very small though I hope it will blossom over the next few months. I'm pleased with the purchase and I got it at an extremely good price of just £242 (it was originally £600!!) - I'm told the saddle isn't the best and I may need to have the handlebars raised but that will be something to embrace later. There are a number of others things needed however for now the bike, and a helmet, are my main priority.

Next step, my first bike ride out. I was pretty nervous but excited at the same time; I wasn't too worried about falling off as I've been using a bike without stabilizers for close to...ooh 16-17 years I'd say (I'm going to try not to inject too much sarcasm but I simply couldn't resist!) So, I threw on my gear, that being a cycle shirt bought at a work sale and some rather delicious lycra shorts. I will eventually invest in a pair of padded ones but running ones will do for now. Now let me just interrupt quickly to tell you that lycra currently is not my friend. I'm a full figured woman with thighs, that were they firm could crush walnuts, and an ass that simply doesn't quit (Thank you Mindy Kaling!) so I do feel a little bit like a shiny sausage. At this early stage, I also won't delve into detail about the constant wedgie....anyway onwards and upwards, I must be eager and I must be willing. So, we all jump on the bikes (when I say jump, I mean nervously clamber upon it) and hit the open road. I'm told we're going to do a 10 mile cycle, 5 miles one way, hit our location, 5 miles back. For all Brits, you know instantly from the word location, I, of course, mean the pub. We went to the pub. 

The riding was fine, I found gears the biggest challenge in that I wasn't always sure which gear I should be on and which one did what. There was the odd few hills but I breathed and powered through, it also helped that I was with three others helping me to keep going. Generally, it was all good fun and taking in the views along our ride, feeling the wind through my helmet, I've been left with a rather good first impression of cycling. 

So bike gods, I'm in.

As long as there's always a pub involved.

x

If you'd like to know more about the bike ride I'm doing, please click here.

I am participating in the bike ride for Help for Heroes and aim to raise £2,500, if you would like to sponsor me, you can do so here. 

Thank you!