We had grand plans today, we were going to explore far and wide. Then we thought, actually, it's pissing it down, it's not too warm, it's a tad windy and there's no sunlight. Rather than act like bloody fools, we went out to Tooting Common for an hour or so.
I cannot tell you how much better my bike feels having had the rear wheel tightened. I did most of my riding in third gear (or 15-21, whichever way you look at it). I never got out of breath and I although I felt my muscles working I never felt them hurting. I stopped for traffic, and also for the obligatory coffee, but there was no need to stop from over-exertion. It is such a relief that the problem was a minor mechanical one, not a 'me' one. And, meanwhile, because I had to over-exert to get anywhere, I have better leg muscles and better fitness than if all had been well.
I took my cagoule with me but didn't wear it. But my trousers got fairly wet. It wasn't really a problem for the hour we were out but it might have been a bit miserable if we had gone further and were out longer. I know that wearing jeans in the rain is not a good idea; what I need is waterproof trousers. It was nice to be out for a while in less than ideal conditions, but nothing can convince me of the attractions of cycling to work.
And it was lovely to get home, tochange intodry clothes and sit in the warmth with a steaming hot drink. Tomorrow looks cloudy and dry with light wind; if that proves true we'll be off on the Wandle Trail. Diamond Geezer has been there already
