Guess what...

...I've been up to today!  Cycling!  Actual velocipede activity, and not the half mile to the gym either.  27 miles! I haven't been out in a while - so I had a mini bonk just before getting to Warren Wood - and we weren't pushing it, just pootling.  Then it was a stop at Drumoak Gardening Centre for the food of champions and some cake, then back into town.  Not exactly stretching the boundries in route or anything else really, but it still counts!

I got stung on the lip on the way back - or at least I think I was stung.  The swelling's gone down but there's a weird electric shock feeling around the area - it's not too uncomfortable, but it has given me toothache like pain on the front lower teeth, like cold shock.  I don't look too bad either - there are no John Merrick like swellings on my face - so I don't think I was stung properly.

Distance:	26.4 mi
Elevation:	+ 2156 / - 2159 ft
Max Grade	13.8 %
Avg. Grade	0.3 %
VAM	482 Vm/h
Ascent time	01:21:48
Descent time	00:58:33
Total Duration:	03:50:28
Moving Time:	02:20:44
Stopped Time:	01:29:44
Calories:	775
Avg. Watts:	92
Max Speed:	27.4 mph
Avg. Speed:	11.3 mph
Pace:	00:08:44
Moving Pace:	00:05:20
Max Cadence:	111 rpm
Min Cadence:	19 rpm
Avg. Cadence:	63.3 rpm

I'm going to start going out for rides on the weekend again.  Perhaps try for 40 miles/weekend or something.  I've lost some hill climbing ability, and my legs tightened up on one or two wee hills on the way back so I really need to watch this on this 'down time' at the moment.  The Giddy Blonde's wanting to do the Etape next year as well - with him being a tad stronger and taller than me I don't think he'll want to hang back - but it will be good with the both of us training next year, unless he wants to hit it like he did the Scottish Bike Show - 2 bonked rides and wearing clothes from the Army Surplus store. But we'll see.

Mx

Barefoot Running notes by Exception...

...The exception is I got crapped on by an Aberdeen Sea Gull. I think it was this one.  No doubt those crisps belonged to orphans, and when the ransacking and thievery from babes in arms gets boring he he looked upon other sport.

The thing is the Gulls up here are not normal gulls.  Feeding on the fish trawlers, swallowing eels whole (I have actually seen this, it wriggled as it went down his throat) they live well into their twenties with the surrounding lore that goes with any animal that can stare down the dominating species and win.  My favourite was that Aberdeen City Council had hired the sniper to shoot down the meanest ones - because they will and they have swooped down to take your food from your hand, not like Mary Poppins 'feed the birds...tuppence a  bag...traa laa laa.' Oh no! They swoop down and snatch under threat of your eyes!  The general populace lives in abject terror of these things.  They had a Face Book page but like all good terrorist organisations they're hard to pin down. 


I will not be cowed, oh no.  I shall re-claim my streets, and they can crap on me all they like (within reason) besides, I'm Scottish, black cats and being shit on is lucky.

Mx

Well, What have I been up to...

...rather a lot as it happens. 

Not much on the fitness front I'm afraid.   Me and the Gids were here for the week with an extra two days either side in Barcelona.  Beautiful Sandy Beaches, blue skies and Music what else does one need.  Bikes!  I did get pictures but no actual ride (the Gids says that sounds rude but I don't care) so no doubt when I'm not being held captive by The Lazyites I will post properly.

We're going away again shortly so I am having some thoughts on sorting myself out for that, I shall also get some goals out and down on e-paper as it's kind of what's needed.

We've also been watching Bradley Wiggins smash the TDF out, and feeling sorry for Cadel Evans, so roll on tomorrow for the cycle to the Champs Elysees!

Mx