Well you, son of T de F Rider...

Today I did something I hadn't done for 52 days.  Not like I was counting or anything, but yes, I cocked my leg over a bike and turned the pedals.  I managed a massive 11kms on the turbo trainer in the back garden.  About a 20 minute ride.  My legs barely noticed, but my lungs felt like I had just grimped up Alpe D'Huez in the big ring. Despite this poor performance I am hugely pleased and somewhat relieved that I managed that much without my back or ribs aching.  I sat on my bike, spinning a low gear, grinning, no headphones on, no distractions, just listening intently to my body.  In all honesty, waiting for something to give in, crack or fall off.  Thankfully nothing did. It was a big leap forward considering that at the beginning of July I couldn't walk more than two steps without getting out of breath.  I couldn't bend over, couldn't dress myself, was generally in a terrible state living on morphine to allow me to be able to breath in dee...

Introduction (please imagine it being narrated by Leonard Nimoy) Fast and Furious The Expendables The Bourne Series Terminator Transformers Spiderman Pirates of the Caribbean Final Destination What do these movie franchises have to do with Scott's tumble in the Majorcan countryside?  Not much, until now. Now, his little story can join the ranks of the above esteemed titles by going on (at least) one story too long.  As much as Scott would have loved to wrap things up after the last episode where he made it home in a back brace for a slow but steady recovery. But, oh no, that's way too easy, so, dear reader, sit back and enjoy the next thrilling episode with Scott and his dodgy descending technique. I got home from hospital on a Friday afternoon.  I had a truck load of meds and a back brace. "Honestly love, I feel a bit tired now but another few days and I'll able to start going back into the office" I probably even believed that too as I said...

I can now state "My season is in ruins"... ...and it was all going so well. I'm sorry to report I've had a major "off" descending the Coll de Femenia last Monday (13th June). I had just picked up a hire bike in Puerto de Pollensa for few hours of pedalling in the sun and mountains of Majorca this week in-between lying in the sun with a few beers and lazing in the pool. Unfortunately all those plans have been ended by over cooking a corner a few turns down from the top of the Femenia.  I had just spent, what felt like forever dragging myself up the 7.7km climb in 29 degrees heat.  It had occurred to me more than once on the way up, "what the hell am I doing?  I could be lying by the pool".  Still, I pressed on and eventually reached the summit.  Obviously I stopped to take the obligatory selfie. A happy Scott only a few minutes before the crash I then set off back down towards Pollensa and the sanctuary of the hotels pool/bar. A car...

So after an okish (for once) January, Feb was not great.  Three (3) rides. Just three.  Just over 200kms.  Pretty rubbish, but I put it down to the crap weather and my penchant for not wanting to get wet or go out when its dark and cold.  Well, I wasn't going to ride in the Eddie Soens Memorial race in early March so I think I can get away with it. Then March arrived.  Another ski trip followed by a bout of man flu wiped out nearly the whole month.  I suppose the skiing itself was good training, but that was soon undone by a further 20 day lay off.  But now we have got to Easter and I have had two rides in three day.  Only short 30 kms at a time, but softly, softly catchy monkey (as they say). Two bits of exciting and motivating news to help me going forwards though... 1) A major order made from Wiggle!! (Other online cycle component retailers are available).  I decided to go "all in" and purchase a new groupset and pedals.  Not a ...