The sign outside our house when we got home last night.... Says everything really.
Monday, December 22, 2003
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Poll Closing Soon
The answer to the burning question of which is the fastest colour for a bike is about to be answered. Get your vote in before the countdown below hits zero. Click Here.
The answer to the burning question of which is the fastest colour for a bike is about to be answered. Get your vote in before the countdown below hits zero. Click Here.
Everything in its right place
It is six months and one day since I last walked into the office that I had previously worked in for the past three and a half years. You would think that it would be completely different, but apart from some banter about the Rugby World Cup (and everyone being happier than they usually are due to the England win), it was exactly the same and I don't feel like I'd been away at all.
If only our bank balance felt the same......
We're kind of approaching D-day with the flat and fingers crossed we'll have some positive news soon....
It is six months and one day since I last walked into the office that I had previously worked in for the past three and a half years. You would think that it would be completely different, but apart from some banter about the Rugby World Cup (and everyone being happier than they usually are due to the England win), it was exactly the same and I don't feel like I'd been away at all.
If only our bank balance felt the same......
We're kind of approaching D-day with the flat and fingers crossed we'll have some positive news soon....
Monday, October 27, 2003
Just found a great blog that gives you an alternative view of current affairs with an Aussie perspective. Check out Tim Blair's blog.
Sunday, October 26, 2003
After being inspired by DBC Pierre's drawing of his life showing him taking a turd for a walk, Banz has got all artistic and done a representation of our life at the moment....
Friday, October 24, 2003
Sunday, September 28, 2003
A great day out in London....
We had a fantastic day out in London on Friday. It's one of the main things that I will definitely miss when eventually arrive back in Australia.
First of all we headed to Waterstone's in Oxford Street and get the latest Chuck Palahniuk novel, "Diary" signed by the great man himself. As you can imagine we were extremely excited about this and even tried to calm down enough to explain to the Italian guy outside who was handing out leaflets who had caused the huge queue that was snaking through the store and out into the street (the Banseys had done well by getting there 10 minutes early and being fifth in the queue). After saying it was Chuck Palahniuk, we got a blank look. After showing him his novel, we got an even blanker one. We then mentioned "Fight Club" and when we still didn't get any response, we gave up and decided to hit the road.
We then went to the Cycle Show. There was a lot of beautiful (and ridiculously expensive) bikes there to drool about. Quite an enjoyable afternoon seeing all the new bikes that are coming on to the market next year. Definite highlight of the show was seeing Banz do a one and a half kilometre time trial on a Tacx Virtual Reality Trainer. In jeans. Tucked into his socks. He did manage to break the current record (unfortunately there's a whole weekend of seasoned cyclists yet to try so its unlikely to stand for too long) and impressed the guy running the stand by doing it as a fixed wheel (only in one gear). I think this is because he didn't know how to change the gears (same as mine - Shimano 105s), but he says it was to show off how masculine he really is....
As you can imagine we were quite peckish by this stage and were fortunate enough to be able to track down a Wagamama's which is fast becoming our favourite chain restaurant around London. One Ebi Katsu and Chicken Kare Lomen for me, and a Duck Gyoza and a Chilli Chicken Men for Banz and we were on our way.
We managed to track down a cinema down the road showing one of our growing list of films that are out at the moment that we want to see (Matchstick Men, Belleville Rendevous, Cypher amongst others). This is probably the one we were most excited about - Spirited Away. This is a fantastic film fantasy that we would highly recommend.
All that and we got the train home in time to watch Sex and the City followed by Peep Show. All Fridays should be like this (apologies to those of you currently working....).
We had a fantastic day out in London on Friday. It's one of the main things that I will definitely miss when eventually arrive back in Australia.
First of all we headed to Waterstone's in Oxford Street and get the latest Chuck Palahniuk novel, "Diary" signed by the great man himself. As you can imagine we were extremely excited about this and even tried to calm down enough to explain to the Italian guy outside who was handing out leaflets who had caused the huge queue that was snaking through the store and out into the street (the Banseys had done well by getting there 10 minutes early and being fifth in the queue). After saying it was Chuck Palahniuk, we got a blank look. After showing him his novel, we got an even blanker one. We then mentioned "Fight Club" and when we still didn't get any response, we gave up and decided to hit the road.
We then went to the Cycle Show. There was a lot of beautiful (and ridiculously expensive) bikes there to drool about. Quite an enjoyable afternoon seeing all the new bikes that are coming on to the market next year. Definite highlight of the show was seeing Banz do a one and a half kilometre time trial on a Tacx Virtual Reality Trainer. In jeans. Tucked into his socks. He did manage to break the current record (unfortunately there's a whole weekend of seasoned cyclists yet to try so its unlikely to stand for too long) and impressed the guy running the stand by doing it as a fixed wheel (only in one gear). I think this is because he didn't know how to change the gears (same as mine - Shimano 105s), but he says it was to show off how masculine he really is....
As you can imagine we were quite peckish by this stage and were fortunate enough to be able to track down a Wagamama's which is fast becoming our favourite chain restaurant around London. One Ebi Katsu and Chicken Kare Lomen for me, and a Duck Gyoza and a Chilli Chicken Men for Banz and we were on our way.
We managed to track down a cinema down the road showing one of our growing list of films that are out at the moment that we want to see (Matchstick Men, Belleville Rendevous, Cypher amongst others). This is probably the one we were most excited about - Spirited Away. This is a fantastic film fantasy that we would highly recommend.
All that and we got the train home in time to watch Sex and the City followed by Peep Show. All Fridays should be like this (apologies to those of you currently working....).
Monday, September 01, 2003
Silver Linings
Well we finally have some good news to share with everyone, though we're still not going to get carried away until we're signed sealed and delivered.
WE HAVE AN OFFER ON THE FLAT!!
I'll calm down a bit now... Anyway, Banz showed two lots of people around on Tuesday afternoon. The first guy really liked it and was saying about how much he likes the high ceilings, big rooms etc and was going to bring his wife back yesterday (Saturday) morning. After him, there was a couple who really didn't comment or say much about the flat and were very quiet. Anyway, Banz gets a phone call the next morning and the couple have made an offer which was only £1,000 less than the offer we had previously accepted. Of course we took it. When my Dad was selling Real Estate he used to phrase it as "biting their hand off", but we weren't quite that bad. Just salivating a bit.....
Again we're not getting ourselves too worked up after last time, but its definitely a step in the right direction. They brought round their Dad (not sure which one's, but a Dad nonetheless) and he was very positive about the flat also, so that should also remove that obstacle.... My Dad lost a few sales with parents coming round and stopping their children buying a house that they didn't think was quite right. So everyone, keep your fingers crossed and the Banseys may be finally able to leave London.
Well we finally have some good news to share with everyone, though we're still not going to get carried away until we're signed sealed and delivered.
WE HAVE AN OFFER ON THE FLAT!!
I'll calm down a bit now... Anyway, Banz showed two lots of people around on Tuesday afternoon. The first guy really liked it and was saying about how much he likes the high ceilings, big rooms etc and was going to bring his wife back yesterday (Saturday) morning. After him, there was a couple who really didn't comment or say much about the flat and were very quiet. Anyway, Banz gets a phone call the next morning and the couple have made an offer which was only £1,000 less than the offer we had previously accepted. Of course we took it. When my Dad was selling Real Estate he used to phrase it as "biting their hand off", but we weren't quite that bad. Just salivating a bit.....
Again we're not getting ourselves too worked up after last time, but its definitely a step in the right direction. They brought round their Dad (not sure which one's, but a Dad nonetheless) and he was very positive about the flat also, so that should also remove that obstacle.... My Dad lost a few sales with parents coming round and stopping their children buying a house that they didn't think was quite right. So everyone, keep your fingers crossed and the Banseys may be finally able to leave London.
Friday, August 08, 2003
News and Views
Well we're settling back into London life. All the usual things are here, two trips to the cricket (Banz watching SA just beat England and both of us watching Surrey cruise past Gloucestershire), a visit to Wagamama and a furnitureless flat.
Well, the flat does have some furniture, it's just limited. We have our futon (which was the first bit of furniture we ever bought as a couple - unless you count the crisp boxes we used as a bed side table initially), a tv stand (on which to stand the smallest telly ever which has been most kindly donated by Nick H) and the mattress in the unregistered loft conversion to complete the skag den appeal. We also managed to be indian givers (I guess that's not a PC term these days, but there's no other way to describe it) and got our wok, fry pans, saucepans and microwave back off Spence and Cath - cheers guys - you can really have them when we actually do leave.
Time has been spent tidying up the garden for that buyer that we're sure is just around the corner as well as toning down the paint in the lounge. All those episodes of "House Doctor" haven't been wasted.
We've also been doing a bit of job hunting. I've had a couple of good phone calls today saying that I've been put forward for a couple of roles. Fingers crossed I get the one with more money. That's what my standards have been reduced to these days. Oh well it is only for six months (we hope). Banz has also applied for a few - including one at £50 an hour - that's if his postcard is still in the telephone box outside Kings Cross station.
Banz's time has also been taken up training for his century ride which is next Sunday, 17th August. The roads outside Harrow are not quite as inviting as those near Darlo but there are a few decent hillocks to contend with. The tarmac melting temperatures (no post could pass without a "Phew - what a scorcher" comment) have been a novelty but one which is wearing off. Perhaps our original plan to tackle southern Spain in August with panniers stuffed to the brim with kitchen sinks was not the best idea.... Maybe this is the "everything happens for a reason" excuse we've been looking for since the flat sale fell through. That makes two, the first being Maca's Wedding.
Keep your fingers crossed and hopefully we'll be back amongst the employed in the next couple of weeks. The taxman's gain is Quincy ME's loss.
Well we're settling back into London life. All the usual things are here, two trips to the cricket (Banz watching SA just beat England and both of us watching Surrey cruise past Gloucestershire), a visit to Wagamama and a furnitureless flat.
Well, the flat does have some furniture, it's just limited. We have our futon (which was the first bit of furniture we ever bought as a couple - unless you count the crisp boxes we used as a bed side table initially), a tv stand (on which to stand the smallest telly ever which has been most kindly donated by Nick H) and the mattress in the unregistered loft conversion to complete the skag den appeal. We also managed to be indian givers (I guess that's not a PC term these days, but there's no other way to describe it) and got our wok, fry pans, saucepans and microwave back off Spence and Cath - cheers guys - you can really have them when we actually do leave.
Time has been spent tidying up the garden for that buyer that we're sure is just around the corner as well as toning down the paint in the lounge. All those episodes of "House Doctor" haven't been wasted.
We've also been doing a bit of job hunting. I've had a couple of good phone calls today saying that I've been put forward for a couple of roles. Fingers crossed I get the one with more money. That's what my standards have been reduced to these days. Oh well it is only for six months (we hope). Banz has also applied for a few - including one at £50 an hour - that's if his postcard is still in the telephone box outside Kings Cross station.
Banz's time has also been taken up training for his century ride which is next Sunday, 17th August. The roads outside Harrow are not quite as inviting as those near Darlo but there are a few decent hillocks to contend with. The tarmac melting temperatures (no post could pass without a "Phew - what a scorcher" comment) have been a novelty but one which is wearing off. Perhaps our original plan to tackle southern Spain in August with panniers stuffed to the brim with kitchen sinks was not the best idea.... Maybe this is the "everything happens for a reason" excuse we've been looking for since the flat sale fell through. That makes two, the first being Maca's Wedding.
Keep your fingers crossed and hopefully we'll be back amongst the employed in the next couple of weeks. The taxman's gain is Quincy ME's loss.
Sunday, July 27, 2003
Bizarre
I've just seen the strangest thing ever. Watching a list of the Top 100 sellers ever in the UK, they had "Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree" by Tony Orlando was somewhere in there in the high 80s. That in itself is wrong, but it then showed Tony Orlando in concert and who should be in the audience, but the thin white duke himself, David Bowie. He was sitting there with Angie enjoying the show. Very strange....
I've just seen the strangest thing ever. Watching a list of the Top 100 sellers ever in the UK, they had "Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree" by Tony Orlando was somewhere in there in the high 80s. That in itself is wrong, but it then showed Tony Orlando in concert and who should be in the audience, but the thin white duke himself, David Bowie. He was sitting there with Angie enjoying the show. Very strange....
Gallery On-Line
Two posts in one day! Just to let you all know that we now have our Gallery on line. A couple of pictures of us at home when we first received the bikes, as well as our pictures from the Coast to Coast (check out our forced smiles!).
Many thanks to HiG for supplying us with the space for this.
Friday, July 11, 2003
The coolest cycle shirt ever....
I have just seen the coolest cycle shirt ever - check it out at Foska. Even though I don't like Marmite (Vegemite is miles better), this is pretty damn cool. So I thought I'd mail them and see if they were going to make a Vegemite one and got a mail back the same day from David there who said they were trying, but Kraft wouldn't let them use it. Surely its free advertising for Kraft? I can feel a campaign coming on.
I may just treat myself to the Australian jersey there when I finally get back into the workforce. Maybe then I'll get off my butt and back on the bike and get a few miles in - instead of just watching Robbie, Stuart and Baden pushing themselves in Le Tour (we would've been in France by now - sob sob). It's either that or Le Tour King of the Mountain's Jersey - though unfortunately when I wear it, it would be ironic.....
I have just seen the coolest cycle shirt ever - check it out at Foska. Even though I don't like Marmite (Vegemite is miles better), this is pretty damn cool. So I thought I'd mail them and see if they were going to make a Vegemite one and got a mail back the same day from David there who said they were trying, but Kraft wouldn't let them use it. Surely its free advertising for Kraft? I can feel a campaign coming on.
I may just treat myself to the Australian jersey there when I finally get back into the workforce. Maybe then I'll get off my butt and back on the bike and get a few miles in - instead of just watching Robbie, Stuart and Baden pushing themselves in Le Tour (we would've been in France by now - sob sob). It's either that or Le Tour King of the Mountain's Jersey - though unfortunately when I wear it, it would be ironic.....
Friday, June 27, 2003
Life is slightly better....
Well, the dark cloud has risen a bit. Thanks to all for the positive thoughts - they've worked.
Martin is down in London at the moment sorting a few things out like tidying the flat and seeing the real estate agents. He's also managed to get into some of the boxes that we'd sent home (thanks to the guys at Interpak - especially Hilary for restoring some of my faith in humankind for their help there) so that we can find all the documents that we've kept from when we bought the flat. We weren't sure if we had anything from our solicitors which showed that they were aware of the loft conversion but he has managed to find a document from them which mentions it, so hopefully we'll be to prove how ineffectual they were, and sue the arse off them! That does raise my spirits a bit.
HiG has also been touting us around (does that make him our pimp?) and he may have a contact for us at Adecco here in Darlington. He's been the best mate (well he was our best man) possible and has offered us to stay with him for as long as we need. His house needs a bit of redecorating and we figure we can repay his kindness by giving him a hand with a bit of DIY which he has motivational issues with doing. As long as we can make enough to cover our mortgage in London until the house sells it will definitely be viable.
I've also finished the new Harry Potter (unemployment will do that to you - finishing ~750 page books in just under five days). I enjoyed it - the death wasn't really that much of a shock - I thought it would be a more major character. I'm looking forward to the next two and what will happen to Harry eventually - I reckon he'll marry Hermione and end up with 2.4 kids with her, or him and Ron become gay lovers. Not sure yet.
The sad thing is I now have to choose another book. I'll probably start one of our classics that were going to be our Big Trip reading. It doesn't feel right to be reading them in a house as I had envisioned it more reading it under a tree whilst we stopped for lunch in France.... oh well, if our Estate Agent gets his act together it may still be achievable this year!
Well, the dark cloud has risen a bit. Thanks to all for the positive thoughts - they've worked.
Martin is down in London at the moment sorting a few things out like tidying the flat and seeing the real estate agents. He's also managed to get into some of the boxes that we'd sent home (thanks to the guys at Interpak - especially Hilary for restoring some of my faith in humankind for their help there) so that we can find all the documents that we've kept from when we bought the flat. We weren't sure if we had anything from our solicitors which showed that they were aware of the loft conversion but he has managed to find a document from them which mentions it, so hopefully we'll be to prove how ineffectual they were, and sue the arse off them! That does raise my spirits a bit.
HiG has also been touting us around (does that make him our pimp?) and he may have a contact for us at Adecco here in Darlington. He's been the best mate (well he was our best man) possible and has offered us to stay with him for as long as we need. His house needs a bit of redecorating and we figure we can repay his kindness by giving him a hand with a bit of DIY which he has motivational issues with doing. As long as we can make enough to cover our mortgage in London until the house sells it will definitely be viable.
I've also finished the new Harry Potter (unemployment will do that to you - finishing ~750 page books in just under five days). I enjoyed it - the death wasn't really that much of a shock - I thought it would be a more major character. I'm looking forward to the next two and what will happen to Harry eventually - I reckon he'll marry Hermione and end up with 2.4 kids with her, or him and Ron become gay lovers. Not sure yet.
The sad thing is I now have to choose another book. I'll probably start one of our classics that were going to be our Big Trip reading. It doesn't feel right to be reading them in a house as I had envisioned it more reading it under a tree whilst we stopped for lunch in France.... oh well, if our Estate Agent gets his act together it may still be achievable this year!
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
The Best of Times, the Bloody worst of Times...
Well our nightmare has come true. Our house sale fell apart yesterday. The buyers pulled out as they couldn't handle the pressure to do with the loft not being approved by the council. They really must be the stupidest people I've met in my lifetime (and I have met some prize idiots), as everything was set for it to go through and they obviously couldn't grasp the fundamentals of what happens in a house sale.
So we're now trying to decide what we're going to do. We don't have furniture, jobs and a loft conversion that isn't regularised.
Big Trip is on hold, at least for the next three months. I don't pray, but if you can send some positive thoughts into the world for us it would be much appreciated as you can imagine our's are pretty damn negative at the moment. Oh, and if you know anyone who'll give us a job, that would also help.... Thank god for the latest Harry Potter book - I don't know how I would've entertained myself otherwise when we got the news yesterday.
Well our nightmare has come true. Our house sale fell apart yesterday. The buyers pulled out as they couldn't handle the pressure to do with the loft not being approved by the council. They really must be the stupidest people I've met in my lifetime (and I have met some prize idiots), as everything was set for it to go through and they obviously couldn't grasp the fundamentals of what happens in a house sale.
So we're now trying to decide what we're going to do. We don't have furniture, jobs and a loft conversion that isn't regularised.
Big Trip is on hold, at least for the next three months. I don't pray, but if you can send some positive thoughts into the world for us it would be much appreciated as you can imagine our's are pretty damn negative at the moment. Oh, and if you know anyone who'll give us a job, that would also help.... Thank god for the latest Harry Potter book - I don't know how I would've entertained myself otherwise when we got the news yesterday.
Sunday, June 22, 2003
Counting the cost
Well the house still hasn't gone through... still to do with our loft.... and its just not that much fun anymore...
Please don't ask about the house as we're starting to bore ourselves with the talk of it.... needless to say when it does actually go through, you'll all be the first to know. As long as you're looking on our website that is....
We're now back up in Darlington visiting Mr HiG as all of our furniture was sent back home to Australia on Thursday 19th June. We have left in the house the futon and a beanbag and Cath and Spence are eyeing up the futon, so soon we'll just be down to the beanbag with the two of us fighting over it in between playing games of football with a tennis ball in our living room (note to any interested purchasers of our property - we're not really doing this, you know creative licence and all that). We were sleeping on a mattress in our bedroom (the f*$king unapproved loft) to complete the skag den appeal of the flat. As we've grown tired of saying goodbye to everyone on a weekly basis in London we thought we'd head back up to Teesside and then maybe head up to Scotland to do a mini-tour up there with all the bags as a bit of a tester. We figure if these people are going to mess us around we might as well actually enjoy the time off instead of endlessly playing "Age of Empires" on the PS2 (not that that's all I've been doing of course).
Anyway, its off to the pub tonight to meet up with Ted and Carole and to drown our sorrows with a few vodka and oranges.
By the way, check out our new counter - I can't make it any more obvious that I haven't tampered with it (last count as at 23/6 was one!) so get our numbers up and keep visiting. We hope to have good news some time..... Hope you won't all be bored of my rants before than....
Well the house still hasn't gone through... still to do with our loft.... and its just not that much fun anymore...
Please don't ask about the house as we're starting to bore ourselves with the talk of it.... needless to say when it does actually go through, you'll all be the first to know. As long as you're looking on our website that is....
We're now back up in Darlington visiting Mr HiG as all of our furniture was sent back home to Australia on Thursday 19th June. We have left in the house the futon and a beanbag and Cath and Spence are eyeing up the futon, so soon we'll just be down to the beanbag with the two of us fighting over it in between playing games of football with a tennis ball in our living room (note to any interested purchasers of our property - we're not really doing this, you know creative licence and all that). We were sleeping on a mattress in our bedroom (the f*$king unapproved loft) to complete the skag den appeal of the flat. As we've grown tired of saying goodbye to everyone on a weekly basis in London we thought we'd head back up to Teesside and then maybe head up to Scotland to do a mini-tour up there with all the bags as a bit of a tester. We figure if these people are going to mess us around we might as well actually enjoy the time off instead of endlessly playing "Age of Empires" on the PS2 (not that that's all I've been doing of course).
Anyway, its off to the pub tonight to meet up with Ted and Carole and to drown our sorrows with a few vodka and oranges.
By the way, check out our new counter - I can't make it any more obvious that I haven't tampered with it (last count as at 23/6 was one!) so get our numbers up and keep visiting. We hope to have good news some time..... Hope you won't all be bored of my rants before than....
Friday, June 13, 2003
It's that elbow again
Well, yet again it seems I have not yet mastered riding a bike... We arrived in Darlington last night on time (I think the first time ever on our journeys up here!) and prepared for our first longish ride with the bikes fully loaded.
Bloody hell, there's definitely stability issues involved here. The ride from our house to Harrow and Wealdstone station wasn't too bad (it is only about half a mile to be fair) and the train journey into London Euston also ran quite smoothly (apart from the morons who obviously thought it was more important that they get on the train before I get off with my (do I need to repeat this?) fully loaded bike). From there, it was a short ride to King's Cross, but not wanting to risk London peak hour traffic with our unstable bikes, ended up pushing them the kilometre or so to King's Cross. Train journey passed without incident and we arrived at Darlington at 22:30. Here we go. A couple of roundabouts and a few cheeky calls from cars with boozed up occupants (England vs Slovakia for the European Football Championships had been on just down the road at the Riverside after all) of "Can I get a lift?" and, most charmingly, "Get a car". I would've liked to have stopped the occupant of the Ford Focus and asked them how much they earnt last year and compared it with my salary. I'm not saying that salary is an indicator of standing in society, but these people obviously think a car gives them some kind of status and I would've like to seen how that other indicator of status (according to society) racked up against each other. I would've also liked to explain that I can afford a car, but I choose not to drive. Cycling is fun - driving a car isn't. It is as simple as that. I don't expect everyone to get out of their cars, but I would like a bit of respect for at least trying something different - I know I'm dreaming! Anyway, rant over.
We had a slight downhill after the roundabouts and I changed through the gears and was able to get a decent speed going. We then got to some lights and I was unable to change back to a decent taking off speed. Result. I can't get any speed up on the slight uphill after the lights change to green and fall over on the pavement landing smack bang on the already swollen and bruised left elbow. The familiar agony started again and I'm ready to call the whole thing off. Who's bloody idea was this anyway? I know, half mine, but I'm sure everyone has had one of those moments where you can just have enough - and we hadn't even started. Anyway, I pushed the bike to HiG's, had a cup of tea and iced the elbow. Huge lump coming out on it now as well as a lot of bruising. Felt better and am now determined to thin out everything in the panniers to make this riding to Australia thing a bit easier. I didn't say easy. Easier. Than what, I don't know....
Well, yet again it seems I have not yet mastered riding a bike... We arrived in Darlington last night on time (I think the first time ever on our journeys up here!) and prepared for our first longish ride with the bikes fully loaded.
Bloody hell, there's definitely stability issues involved here. The ride from our house to Harrow and Wealdstone station wasn't too bad (it is only about half a mile to be fair) and the train journey into London Euston also ran quite smoothly (apart from the morons who obviously thought it was more important that they get on the train before I get off with my (do I need to repeat this?) fully loaded bike). From there, it was a short ride to King's Cross, but not wanting to risk London peak hour traffic with our unstable bikes, ended up pushing them the kilometre or so to King's Cross. Train journey passed without incident and we arrived at Darlington at 22:30. Here we go. A couple of roundabouts and a few cheeky calls from cars with boozed up occupants (England vs Slovakia for the European Football Championships had been on just down the road at the Riverside after all) of "Can I get a lift?" and, most charmingly, "Get a car". I would've liked to have stopped the occupant of the Ford Focus and asked them how much they earnt last year and compared it with my salary. I'm not saying that salary is an indicator of standing in society, but these people obviously think a car gives them some kind of status and I would've like to seen how that other indicator of status (according to society) racked up against each other. I would've also liked to explain that I can afford a car, but I choose not to drive. Cycling is fun - driving a car isn't. It is as simple as that. I don't expect everyone to get out of their cars, but I would like a bit of respect for at least trying something different - I know I'm dreaming! Anyway, rant over.
We had a slight downhill after the roundabouts and I changed through the gears and was able to get a decent speed going. We then got to some lights and I was unable to change back to a decent taking off speed. Result. I can't get any speed up on the slight uphill after the lights change to green and fall over on the pavement landing smack bang on the already swollen and bruised left elbow. The familiar agony started again and I'm ready to call the whole thing off. Who's bloody idea was this anyway? I know, half mine, but I'm sure everyone has had one of those moments where you can just have enough - and we hadn't even started. Anyway, I pushed the bike to HiG's, had a cup of tea and iced the elbow. Huge lump coming out on it now as well as a lot of bruising. Felt better and am now determined to thin out everything in the panniers to make this riding to Australia thing a bit easier. I didn't say easy. Easier. Than what, I don't know....
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Yet another update -> Check out our Tagboard! and no we're not that bored....
After a great suggestion by the soon to be newly-wed Mr and Mrs Morgan of Watford (otherwise known as Robbie and Nicky) we have added a guestbook cum messageboard otherwise known as a Tagboard. Much searching of the internet was done over the weekend and after a lot of false starts and basically crappy guestbook designs we found the Tagboard and have added it to our page. What do you reckon - let us know what you think....
Apologies for all those people who are logging on every so often to check if we have actually left the UK yet. No, not quite is the only answer we have, but we're getting there and we do hope to have left the country by the end of the month. In the meantime, all you get is updates on my swollen elbow which is starting to come out in a fantastic bruise though it is still swollen.
The other big news of the day is that we don't have a fridge anymore as it was sold this afternoon.... Looks like we're getting in that camping spirit just a tad early....
After a great suggestion by the soon to be newly-wed Mr and Mrs Morgan of Watford (otherwise known as Robbie and Nicky) we have added a guestbook cum messageboard otherwise known as a Tagboard. Much searching of the internet was done over the weekend and after a lot of false starts and basically crappy guestbook designs we found the Tagboard and have added it to our page. What do you reckon - let us know what you think....
Apologies for all those people who are logging on every so often to check if we have actually left the UK yet. No, not quite is the only answer we have, but we're getting there and we do hope to have left the country by the end of the month. In the meantime, all you get is updates on my swollen elbow which is starting to come out in a fantastic bruise though it is still swollen.
The other big news of the day is that we don't have a fridge anymore as it was sold this afternoon.... Looks like we're getting in that camping spirit just a tad early....
Sunday, June 08, 2003
Updates -> We now have Inspirations
We decided to do a page where we can pay tributes to people who've inspired us (or actually we've just knicked a lot of our ideas from). There's some great sites there so have a look and let us know what you think.
Also a big hello to HiG who has asked for a mention on our website (have to do this as we're coming to stay at his house on Wednesday and don't want to have to find alternative accommodation in Darlington at 22:30).
We decided to do a page where we can pay tributes to people who've inspired us (or actually we've just knicked a lot of our ideas from). There's some great sites there so have a look and let us know what you think.
Also a big hello to HiG who has asked for a mention on our website (have to do this as we're coming to stay at his house on Wednesday and don't want to have to find alternative accommodation in Darlington at 22:30).
How to not unclip your cleats and have a majorly bruised elbow....
I am typing under duress at the moment as my elbow is majorly swollen. We went to our old flat in Northolt as the contract company that I used to work for has sent my P45 and P60 there... even though I hadn't lived there for two years. Anyway, there were no occupants there at the time, so it was a wasted trip on the way to our friends, Pauline and Mark's place for a BBQ. Anyway, I was trying to balance on the pedals so I could nip quickly out when the traffic cleared... anyway, gravity and laws of motion got involved when I slowed down too much and I fell over before I could get my feet out primarily landing on my left elbow (and unfortunately my arse). Both are bruised with my elbow looking like an extra limb from the prosthetics used in the elephant man film. The only upside is that I will have a spectacular bruise in a couple of days.
So that's twice now that I've not unclipped in time. Thankfully both in no traffic with me overlooking the fact that I don't have as much skill as I though I did... oh well, I'm sure the message will get through to my brain at some stage.
I am typing under duress at the moment as my elbow is majorly swollen. We went to our old flat in Northolt as the contract company that I used to work for has sent my P45 and P60 there... even though I hadn't lived there for two years. Anyway, there were no occupants there at the time, so it was a wasted trip on the way to our friends, Pauline and Mark's place for a BBQ. Anyway, I was trying to balance on the pedals so I could nip quickly out when the traffic cleared... anyway, gravity and laws of motion got involved when I slowed down too much and I fell over before I could get my feet out primarily landing on my left elbow (and unfortunately my arse). Both are bruised with my elbow looking like an extra limb from the prosthetics used in the elephant man film. The only upside is that I will have a spectacular bruise in a couple of days.
So that's twice now that I've not unclipped in time. Thankfully both in no traffic with me overlooking the fact that I don't have as much skill as I though I did... oh well, I'm sure the message will get through to my brain at some stage.
Saturday, June 07, 2003
Flat Sale
We're now getting there - finally! It looks as if we'll be exchanging next week and hopefully completing the week after. Well I really hope we will be because we're sending all the furniture home on June 19th so the house will be rather empty after that!
Unemployment
You know when you're working your standard 9 to 5 job and the thing you're dreaming about more than anything else is having the time off to relax at home? I have to say after about 3 days of being at home, I was completely bored - it would be different if we had a definite date for the house as there's lots of things that I could be booking and organising, but since we don't we've just been filling in time. Whole days on the PS2 don't have as much novelty when that is what you've done all day. Fortunately we have been able to get somethings done and we should now at least be rabies free due to our vaccinations as well as having a further round of leaving dos with my former work colleagues on Wednesday, our friends Paul and Sandra on Thursday and our friends Pauline and Mark tonight. There is only so many times we can say goodbye though....
Maybe a leaving date?
Next Wednesday 12/6 we're heading up to Teesside to drop the bikes off and to say some final farewells to everyone. We'll then pop back to London to go to our friends' Mike and Alison's wedding before finally heading back up to Teesside to finally head off.... I don't want to jinx it but we may be able to actually start the trip on Monday 22/6 departing from Stockton. Everyone keep your fingers crossed so that our solicitors will get their act together.
Until then, sorry for the lack of interesting information - I'll hopefully be able to have some really good news next week.
We're now getting there - finally! It looks as if we'll be exchanging next week and hopefully completing the week after. Well I really hope we will be because we're sending all the furniture home on June 19th so the house will be rather empty after that!
Unemployment
You know when you're working your standard 9 to 5 job and the thing you're dreaming about more than anything else is having the time off to relax at home? I have to say after about 3 days of being at home, I was completely bored - it would be different if we had a definite date for the house as there's lots of things that I could be booking and organising, but since we don't we've just been filling in time. Whole days on the PS2 don't have as much novelty when that is what you've done all day. Fortunately we have been able to get somethings done and we should now at least be rabies free due to our vaccinations as well as having a further round of leaving dos with my former work colleagues on Wednesday, our friends Paul and Sandra on Thursday and our friends Pauline and Mark tonight. There is only so many times we can say goodbye though....
Maybe a leaving date?
Next Wednesday 12/6 we're heading up to Teesside to drop the bikes off and to say some final farewells to everyone. We'll then pop back to London to go to our friends' Mike and Alison's wedding before finally heading back up to Teesside to finally head off.... I don't want to jinx it but we may be able to actually start the trip on Monday 22/6 departing from Stockton. Everyone keep your fingers crossed so that our solicitors will get their act together.
Until then, sorry for the lack of interesting information - I'll hopefully be able to have some really good news next week.
Thursday, May 22, 2003
Treading Water
Well I'm still here two weeks after when I thought I'd be gone. So what's been happening you ask? (Well if anyone was actually reading the site and me just not posting random ramblings out into cyberspace). Oh well, I'll continue anyway....
Flat Sale
Flat sale has been delayed because of our attic. For those not in the know, we have an attic in our house which has been converted into a bedroom which we use as the master bedroom. Evidently, this never had planning permission. Our crap solicitors never picked this up when we bought the place, but the purchasers of our property have. Their lenders won't lend them the money because of this as they think the council is going to come round and tear it down. Martin has gone to the council and they basically don't care and are happy to respond to a letter from the purchaser's solicitor to say so.... so now we're just waiting for that to go through....
Leaving Do
Had a great night on Friday May 9th at our leaving do. Much alcohol was drunk by all and the only hard part was getting around to seeing everyone to have a chat. I had just been extended that afternoon for another couple of weeks so people were saying to me, "Goodbye, all the best" and I'm sadly having to respond with "well, actually I'll be at work on Monday, probably see you at the canteen". Not quite the same.
Finishing Work
Well, Banz finished work on 2/5/03 and I've somehow got extended until Friday 23/5/03. Though sad to leave all my poor CASS compatriots, I have to say I'm not that disappointed to be leaving. Too many spreadsheets in the last couple of weeks have driven me mad I tell ya! The dole and lots of Sims on the PS2 beckon.... If we had a PC and all the Sims add on packs I really wouldn't be able to leave the house....
and cycling....
Sadly I have done minimal cycling in the last couple of weeks due to London putting on the worst display of weather I've seen for a long time. Rain, hail, pestilence (well, not quite, but you get the idea) have all hit London over the last couple of weeks and I just haven't been up for riding at all when I can get a ride in with my matey Wardy in his nice, warm, dry Lexus. I'm sure I'll regret this laziness at some stage (actually probably each morning when I zip my jeans up). At least give us some decent weather this weekend, hey??
Well I'm still here two weeks after when I thought I'd be gone. So what's been happening you ask? (Well if anyone was actually reading the site and me just not posting random ramblings out into cyberspace). Oh well, I'll continue anyway....
Flat Sale
Flat sale has been delayed because of our attic. For those not in the know, we have an attic in our house which has been converted into a bedroom which we use as the master bedroom. Evidently, this never had planning permission. Our crap solicitors never picked this up when we bought the place, but the purchasers of our property have. Their lenders won't lend them the money because of this as they think the council is going to come round and tear it down. Martin has gone to the council and they basically don't care and are happy to respond to a letter from the purchaser's solicitor to say so.... so now we're just waiting for that to go through....
Leaving Do
Had a great night on Friday May 9th at our leaving do. Much alcohol was drunk by all and the only hard part was getting around to seeing everyone to have a chat. I had just been extended that afternoon for another couple of weeks so people were saying to me, "Goodbye, all the best" and I'm sadly having to respond with "well, actually I'll be at work on Monday, probably see you at the canteen". Not quite the same.
Finishing Work
Well, Banz finished work on 2/5/03 and I've somehow got extended until Friday 23/5/03. Though sad to leave all my poor CASS compatriots, I have to say I'm not that disappointed to be leaving. Too many spreadsheets in the last couple of weeks have driven me mad I tell ya! The dole and lots of Sims on the PS2 beckon.... If we had a PC and all the Sims add on packs I really wouldn't be able to leave the house....
and cycling....
Sadly I have done minimal cycling in the last couple of weeks due to London putting on the worst display of weather I've seen for a long time. Rain, hail, pestilence (well, not quite, but you get the idea) have all hit London over the last couple of weeks and I just haven't been up for riding at all when I can get a ride in with my matey Wardy in his nice, warm, dry Lexus. I'm sure I'll regret this laziness at some stage (actually probably each morning when I zip my jeans up). At least give us some decent weather this weekend, hey??
Friday, May 02, 2003
Streamlined and Goodbye Vulcan :-(
Wednesday was my day to get streamlined. The brunette locks have now fallen from my head and my hair is now the shortest it has ever been possibly except for the couple of months post-birth. Quite a strange feeling. After a couple of days I've stopped doing double takes in the mirror and using excessive amounts of shampoo in the shower. I'm sure I'll be quicker on the hills now....
Yesterday was my last ride in on Vulcan. He's going to a good home with my colleague Karen. I tried to get him up Sudbury Court Drive in a record time but wasn't able to keep the pace up for the final third. Oh well, we've come a long way from my initial attempt where I only got one third of the way up..... It was only just over a year ago where I was excited to just make it up the hill without stopping!
Wednesday was my day to get streamlined. The brunette locks have now fallen from my head and my hair is now the shortest it has ever been possibly except for the couple of months post-birth. Quite a strange feeling. After a couple of days I've stopped doing double takes in the mirror and using excessive amounts of shampoo in the shower. I'm sure I'll be quicker on the hills now....
Yesterday was my last ride in on Vulcan. He's going to a good home with my colleague Karen. I tried to get him up Sudbury Court Drive in a record time but wasn't able to keep the pace up for the final third. Oh well, we've come a long way from my initial attempt where I only got one third of the way up..... It was only just over a year ago where I was excited to just make it up the hill without stopping!
Friday, April 25, 2003
Goodbye Snakebite :-(
Well, it was goodbye to Snakey from Banz this morning. Our trading post ads where we're selling off the remnants of our London life have succeeded and Banz got a response from the Ad for Snakey yesterday. Banz rode him there this morning and the prospective buyer snatched him up for only a 50% depreciation cost on his purchase price (ie £100).
One of my colleagues here at work, Karen is maybe interested in Vulcan after taking him for a spin along the canal yesterday after work. She's keen to cycle in to work as much as possible due to the same reasons that we got back into it, ie. traffic, driving, public transport not reliable and fitness.
Its kind of sad to be seeing our old bikes going. They're what got us back in to cycling after such a long time and whilst they were cheap, we did get our moneys worth and then some on them. Hopefully they'll go to good homes and will be well maintained and used.
Bring on the weekend and hopefully some decent weather for a ride.
Well, it was goodbye to Snakey from Banz this morning. Our trading post ads where we're selling off the remnants of our London life have succeeded and Banz got a response from the Ad for Snakey yesterday. Banz rode him there this morning and the prospective buyer snatched him up for only a 50% depreciation cost on his purchase price (ie £100).
One of my colleagues here at work, Karen is maybe interested in Vulcan after taking him for a spin along the canal yesterday after work. She's keen to cycle in to work as much as possible due to the same reasons that we got back into it, ie. traffic, driving, public transport not reliable and fitness.
Its kind of sad to be seeing our old bikes going. They're what got us back in to cycling after such a long time and whilst they were cheap, we did get our moneys worth and then some on them. Hopefully they'll go to good homes and will be well maintained and used.
Bring on the weekend and hopefully some decent weather for a ride.
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Still at work....
Well my dream of a month off in front of the PS2 didn't materialise and I'm still here at work, hence my reason for not having an opportunity to write up a blog.....
I dream of one day finding a job that I actually find stimulating and want to do. Frustrating in a way, but I've just sort of drifted into different things including what I'm doing now, working with computers. Parts of it are interesting, but the management in the department I'm in now, are awful and are one of the main reasons why I just can't wait to leave. I do feel sorry for my colleagues who don't have that option. I can only hope that they'll eventually get someone better or find better jobs, before their positions get wound up or the entire thing outsourced.
Enough about work as it is so dull. We just had Easter weekend which was a great break. Basically we didn't do a lot and just relaxed around the house. Yesterday we unfortunately went to the football and Boro's horrible away form for the season continued with a 1-0 loss to relegation battling West Ham. Our season is effectively over and they've got everything to play for. I am such a jinx though as except for a league cup game against Brentford, all the away games I've seen this season have ended in 1-0 defeats. Oh well, since we won't be able to any games next season, I expect us to have a great run... or the usual rollercoaster season that we always seem to have at Boro.
Its two weeks almost since we did the Coast to Coast. It was the hardest thing I've ever done physically in my life. At one stage I just didn't want to go on and was doubting doing the Big Trip completely. Banz calmed me down and we realised that there are going to be hard moments on the Big Trip, but we'll be able to take them at our own pace and won't have to be making sure we're in a certain place for our night's kip. I also hope that I will be a bit fitter before I start having to hit some mountain ranges again....
Well my dream of a month off in front of the PS2 didn't materialise and I'm still here at work, hence my reason for not having an opportunity to write up a blog.....
I dream of one day finding a job that I actually find stimulating and want to do. Frustrating in a way, but I've just sort of drifted into different things including what I'm doing now, working with computers. Parts of it are interesting, but the management in the department I'm in now, are awful and are one of the main reasons why I just can't wait to leave. I do feel sorry for my colleagues who don't have that option. I can only hope that they'll eventually get someone better or find better jobs, before their positions get wound up or the entire thing outsourced.
Enough about work as it is so dull. We just had Easter weekend which was a great break. Basically we didn't do a lot and just relaxed around the house. Yesterday we unfortunately went to the football and Boro's horrible away form for the season continued with a 1-0 loss to relegation battling West Ham. Our season is effectively over and they've got everything to play for. I am such a jinx though as except for a league cup game against Brentford, all the away games I've seen this season have ended in 1-0 defeats. Oh well, since we won't be able to any games next season, I expect us to have a great run... or the usual rollercoaster season that we always seem to have at Boro.
Its two weeks almost since we did the Coast to Coast. It was the hardest thing I've ever done physically in my life. At one stage I just didn't want to go on and was doubting doing the Big Trip completely. Banz calmed me down and we realised that there are going to be hard moments on the Big Trip, but we'll be able to take them at our own pace and won't have to be making sure we're in a certain place for our night's kip. I also hope that I will be a bit fitter before I start having to hit some mountain ranges again....
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Clipping In
Yesterday (24/3/03) was also the inaugural SPD Clip-in. I've had the pedals and shoes for a while and was going to use them with Vulcan for commuting to work. The fear of the SPD always got the better of me and so never tried (the pedals were an expensive reminder of this every time I opened my cupboard).
Sunday night, Martin had changed over both of our shoes so that the cleats were there ready to go and we'd experimented sitting on the bikes and clipping in (the bikes at this stage were still living in the spare room). So Monday evening was the big day to actually ride round the back streets of Harrow clipped in. You know what - it was a breeze! I'm still surprised at how easy it is. The aim now is to make sure we don't let complacency in and stop somewhere and have a "timb-ahhhh" moment of just falling sideways on the bike.
Yesterday (24/3/03) was also the inaugural SPD Clip-in. I've had the pedals and shoes for a while and was going to use them with Vulcan for commuting to work. The fear of the SPD always got the better of me and so never tried (the pedals were an expensive reminder of this every time I opened my cupboard).
Sunday night, Martin had changed over both of our shoes so that the cleats were there ready to go and we'd experimented sitting on the bikes and clipping in (the bikes at this stage were still living in the spare room). So Monday evening was the big day to actually ride round the back streets of Harrow clipped in. You know what - it was a breeze! I'm still surprised at how easy it is. The aim now is to make sure we don't let complacency in and stop somewhere and have a "timb-ahhhh" moment of just falling sideways on the bike.
Team Estrogen
Yesterday at work (you don't expect me to actually be working in my last week do you?), I found a great website Team Estrogen. I came across it when looking at some links for Defeet socks. Martin had been able to buy a couple of pairs of these on Sunday, but of course there were only larges left when I found some that I liked. Undaunted, the world wide web helped me out and I've got some winging their way to me as we speak, as well as a very cool cycle jersey.
On the TE site they had a current adventures in cycling section by online diarist Terri Rafter. Her diary really made me laugh and so many of the feelings I had about restarting cycling with my much fitter husband came flooding back. Her comments after trying to cycle up a steep hill, felt so familiar, I could've been writing it myself, but probably with more swearing -
"I hate this," I gasped. [As a matter of fact, I probably gasped it more than once.] By the time I'd pushed my bike to the top of the 43,567,289th *vertical challenge* in a row, I was exhausted, sunburned, sticky with sweat, mad as hell ... and spoiling for a fight.
Jaunty/Show-Offy Cyclist Guy Whizzing Past Us At 800 mph: "Good morning!"
David: "Good morning."
Secra: "Fudk you."
Yesterday at work (you don't expect me to actually be working in my last week do you?), I found a great website Team Estrogen. I came across it when looking at some links for Defeet socks. Martin had been able to buy a couple of pairs of these on Sunday, but of course there were only larges left when I found some that I liked. Undaunted, the world wide web helped me out and I've got some winging their way to me as we speak, as well as a very cool cycle jersey.
On the TE site they had a current adventures in cycling section by online diarist Terri Rafter. Her diary really made me laugh and so many of the feelings I had about restarting cycling with my much fitter husband came flooding back. Her comments after trying to cycle up a steep hill, felt so familiar, I could've been writing it myself, but probably with more swearing -
"I hate this," I gasped. [As a matter of fact, I probably gasped it more than once.] By the time I'd pushed my bike to the top of the 43,567,289th *vertical challenge* in a row, I was exhausted, sunburned, sticky with sweat, mad as hell ... and spoiling for a fight.
Jaunty/Show-Offy Cyclist Guy Whizzing Past Us At 800 mph: "Good morning!"
David: "Good morning."
Secra:
Big Trip Shopping
What a great weekend. Work is just never as good.
Our friends, Ted and Carol came down and we saw the sights as well as having numerous curries (well, two - a Thai and an Indian).
On Sunday, they headed to an exhibition while Martin and I headed to Evan's Cycles for Big Trip buying. We had a list of things required and so proceeded to go through and choose the bits and pieces. First up was security. One of the guys there pointed us in the direction of the lock that he's had recommended to him. We've only been using cable locks on Vulcan and Snakebite but we need to protect our new Hewitts whilst we're travelling. Never realised how bloody heavy they are! Martin also got his SPD shoes. We both got new mitts with lots of padding and I bought a pair of bike shorts that are made from cotton instead of lycra. There's never any need for my ar*e to be shiny as well as big. After much consideration, I got the same bike computer as Martin (a Cateye Enduro 2). I had considered the Shimano Flight Deck, just because it sounds good and has features like cadence and telling you what gears you're in as my Shimano 105 components are Flightdeck compatible.
Common sense got the better of me though as the £55 difference in the price tags had me working out how many days we could survive on the road with that £55 (probably only a couple, but you get the idea).
What a great weekend. Work is just never as good.
Our friends, Ted and Carol came down and we saw the sights as well as having numerous curries (well, two - a Thai and an Indian).
On Sunday, they headed to an exhibition while Martin and I headed to Evan's Cycles for Big Trip buying. We had a list of things required and so proceeded to go through and choose the bits and pieces. First up was security. One of the guys there pointed us in the direction of the lock that he's had recommended to him. We've only been using cable locks on Vulcan and Snakebite but we need to protect our new Hewitts whilst we're travelling. Never realised how bloody heavy they are! Martin also got his SPD shoes. We both got new mitts with lots of padding and I bought a pair of bike shorts that are made from cotton instead of lycra. There's never any need for my ar*e to be shiny as well as big. After much consideration, I got the same bike computer as Martin (a Cateye Enduro 2). I had considered the Shimano Flight Deck, just because it sounds good and has features like cadence and telling you what gears you're in as my Shimano 105 components are Flightdeck compatible.
Common sense got the better of me though as the £55 difference in the price tags had me working out how many days we could survive on the road with that £55 (probably only a couple, but you get the idea).
Friday, March 21, 2003
Why does work go so slowly when the end is in sight?
Is it only me that's suffered with this? I got my notice that I was finishing up at the end of the month (internal budget cuts and since you're leaving anyway you may as well go now - never mind that I do need to save money and still pay my mortgage!), but since then this month has just dragged so slowly. It must be worse for Banz who had to give notice in January for him to leave in May. He's also going to have to keep getting up whilst I chill at home and get some hours in on the PS2 (as well as sensible trip planning things like new passports, visas and doing up more lists - you can never have too many lists).
Work is so dull at the moment. Come on the next six days!
Is it only me that's suffered with this? I got my notice that I was finishing up at the end of the month (internal budget cuts and since you're leaving anyway you may as well go now - never mind that I do need to save money and still pay my mortgage!), but since then this month has just dragged so slowly. It must be worse for Banz who had to give notice in January for him to leave in May. He's also going to have to keep getting up whilst I chill at home and get some hours in on the PS2 (as well as sensible trip planning things like new passports, visas and doing up more lists - you can never have too many lists).
Work is so dull at the moment. Come on the next six days!
Thursday, March 20, 2003
Bikes are here!
Received the bikes yesterday (18/03/03) - very exciting. Banz got the call from the postroom here at work and we rushed down to pick them up. We were worse than two kids on Christmas morning (or is that better??).
They both look really good. We'd ridden Vulcan and Snakebite in so we decided to leave them here at work and ride Spirit of Brisbane & Spirit of Stockton home. It was so weird! I do love my new bike, but I've still got a soft spot for Vulcan in that I know her so well and what she'll do (or not) depending. I really didn't feel confident in the traffic with the drops so I need to get SOB out and do a bit of practising so that I can get used to the new riding position (drops instead of straight bars). I also need to get used to the SPD pedals, so it may be a trip to the Civic Centre carpark on Sunday morning to get used to it. The response on SOB is brilliant though and you can really feel the difference heading up hills - I felt as if the bike was actually helping me rather than me having to drag it (poor old Vulcan) up Sudbury Hill. Harrow on the Hill is going to be the real test once my confidence is up.
Did I mention our new bikes look fantastic? Paul Hewitt has done a great job on them (I was disappointed to see dust on them when we got home, but there's going to be a lot more dust on them before we get back to Brisvegas. We dragged them both up to our spare bedroom to try on all the panniers that we've acquired from Vaude. They look good, but already notice the difference in weight. We have got the majority of stuff for The Big Trip, but there's all the fiddly things to get like a first aid kit and a broad brimmed hat.
We've got a trip in to town planned this weekend to coincide with our mates Ted and Carol coming down from the North-East. Apart from some museum viewing (Imperial War Museum), and some theatre-going (Arsenic and Old Lace with Stephen Tomkinson, good Boro lad and Michael Richards, better known as Kramer in Seinfeld), we'll be heading to do some bike-related shopping.
Will definitely need a curry after all that.....
Received the bikes yesterday (18/03/03) - very exciting. Banz got the call from the postroom here at work and we rushed down to pick them up. We were worse than two kids on Christmas morning (or is that better??).
They both look really good. We'd ridden Vulcan and Snakebite in so we decided to leave them here at work and ride Spirit of Brisbane & Spirit of Stockton home. It was so weird! I do love my new bike, but I've still got a soft spot for Vulcan in that I know her so well and what she'll do (or not) depending. I really didn't feel confident in the traffic with the drops so I need to get SOB out and do a bit of practising so that I can get used to the new riding position (drops instead of straight bars). I also need to get used to the SPD pedals, so it may be a trip to the Civic Centre carpark on Sunday morning to get used to it. The response on SOB is brilliant though and you can really feel the difference heading up hills - I felt as if the bike was actually helping me rather than me having to drag it (poor old Vulcan) up Sudbury Hill. Harrow on the Hill is going to be the real test once my confidence is up.
Did I mention our new bikes look fantastic? Paul Hewitt has done a great job on them (I was disappointed to see dust on them when we got home, but there's going to be a lot more dust on them before we get back to Brisvegas. We dragged them both up to our spare bedroom to try on all the panniers that we've acquired from Vaude. They look good, but already notice the difference in weight. We have got the majority of stuff for The Big Trip, but there's all the fiddly things to get like a first aid kit and a broad brimmed hat.
We've got a trip in to town planned this weekend to coincide with our mates Ted and Carol coming down from the North-East. Apart from some museum viewing (Imperial War Museum), and some theatre-going (Arsenic and Old Lace with Stephen Tomkinson, good Boro lad and Michael Richards, better known as Kramer in Seinfeld), we'll be heading to do some bike-related shopping.
Will definitely need a curry after all that.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
