I love this picture of Lee and the cheeky guide dog 🦮 puppy, Flint. Today at Mum and Dad's, Flint was "dancing," with Lee. We haven't had a dog that does this since our beloved Ben passed away a few years ago.
Lee is still struggling but is also still making progress. She has been having physio sessions where they've worked on her walking. Specifically it's been about a better gait, getting stronger and building stamina. Lee's goal is to be able to walk the dogs 🐕 on her own.
Lee also goes for daily walks with her Mum. She's also been attending a chronic fatigue group, which ironically, makes her tired! Naps, becoming breathless and sore muscles are still part of daily life. It's a case of one step too far being a disaster. Lee will feel okay and then just go weak. It's very frustrating for her and unpleasant for us to see. Let's not get pessimistic though. I think we will get there, it might take a bit more time but we'll get Lee back to "normal," and then we can think about some longer term fitness goals...okay that last bit is me being me! I'm fairly sure Lee isn't planning entering an obstacle race or a crossfit challenge...
Time for the cycling
So my focus has moved from mile munching to a bit of racing. For now that's Friday Night Summer Series MTB racing and time trials...neither have got off to a good start but...for once its mechanicals not my fitness holding me back. The first FNSS race was hosted by Welland valley CC at Spanhoe Airfield on a course designed by Adrian Kilworth. The evening felt like it was going to be awesome. On arrival I met up with so many cycling friends and the atmosphere built nicely. The course looked great and we started on the grass airfield, then onto a concrete runway before the trails started. Only...I didn't get to the trails because my chain snapped after less than a quarter of a lap! It's fair to say I was not amused but it was with utmost shame I heard the following: "it's okay darling he's just cross because his bike broke like Daddy gets sometimes..." So I stomped off to the car and decided to take pics of friends racing instead.
The next day I took my bike to see Craig at Richardson's cycles. I've never had a broken chain before and knew other bits were probably worn out too. Well I wasn't wrong...everything was worn out. I got a good price for parts and as I wanted a bigger cassette with more range it was kind of an upgrade!
Craig asked if I wanted him to change the cassette and stupidly I said no, I could do it.I failed completely to get the old cassette off. I did manage a first for me, which was to snap one chain whip and bend another. I then got frustrated and tried to cut the cassette off but that didn't work either. So...I took it back to Craig, who with the help of a vice cracked the lock ring off in seconds! With that done, I was able to do the rest myself.
All that meant I could take part in FNSS round 2 at Borough Hill Daventry. Another great course and this time I made it round in one piece. No mechanicals, no worries! I was 42nd out of 46 finishers in my age group. That's okay for me and now I have something to aim for. Again it was great to see so many cycling friends. The only near disaster of the evening was I got the mini stuck on a hidden fence post in the parking field! My CRV wouldn't have noticed but as Lee finds my car easier to drive, I'm using her mini. Anyway, people came to the rescue, so it all ended well!
Unbelievably last week I snapped a spoke on my mtb front wheel! I was confident I could fix this myself but wasn't sure what size spoke to order. As I was in Northampton I took this to Rutland Cycles at Pitsford. They suggested doing the job and as it was a good price I agreed. Having said it would take a few days they got me sorted the same day...it comes with a warning though. Apparently the rim was bent and the spoke could break again! The only way to find out is to ride it and see. Thankfully I didn't break anything else on a test ride today!
In other news I managed just one TT so far this season. I had broken my road bike this time and again it was Craig to the rescue. This time it was a seized gear cable (clearly I need Di2!) I tried to do this myself but it was near impossible.
On Wednesday I planned to go to the Rocko TT and for some reason my gears went all weird and then my front tyre went flat! Clearly the universe wanted me to stay home. The whole thing stressed me out on Wednesday evening but after a good night's sleep I woke early the next day and went on a fixing spree. Gears sorted, new tyres on my propel, changed tyre on my winter bike and I stripped the MTB wheel down for the spoke repair. It's weird how productive I am early in the morning!
I've been for some good group rides over the weeks. I'll let the pictures do the talking on these. All I will say is, those friends in the Cyclasylum really do make the world feel better!
Elite cycling is focused on the Giro right now. It's been a thoroughly enjoyable race so far. It bodes well for a great year of cycling!
Happy Pedalling 😊
