This crazy world that we live in will keep on spinning around

If you are a similar type of parent as me, you are probably used to your children reminding you when you do things you have told them not to, or not done the things you tell THEM to do. As I am also in the training business, this happens to me all the time at work, as well as when I sanctimoniously pass on my words of folksy wisdom to others. Like an Australian killing stick they keep on coming right back at me.

This coming Sunday I'm off to do the White Horse challenge, a delightful ride that circumnavigates Swindon, and eponymously goes past four iconic chalk horses. And you know how much I love a good chalk carving, and the Uffington White horse is the best bar none. You can keep your Long Man of Wilmington and Cerne Abbas Giant. Where else could you cycle up Dragon Hill and pass an Iron Age hill fort? Eh?

Last time I did this ride it all went rather well and I got a silver classification and was only 22 minutes off gold. So I had been telling anyone who would listen that was one of my goals for the year. Until today. I've been ill for the best part of two weeks, and though now largely recovered my peak flow (lung capacity measure nothing to down with down there) is still down at 430. To put that in perspective normal for me is around 480, whereas normal for any other 46 year old man would be about 600. So "chesty" sums it up.

And then I did the maths. (note the "s"). I have to improve by 6.5%, 22 minutes, do an average speed I have never done before, do each mile about 15 seconds faster than last year. Last year I only stopped for 12 minutes at all junctions, the two feedstops and all other points. The doubts were creeping in.

So I sent Skip a text, and she reminded me of a few motivational facts, told me, in effect, to re-frame a few things, and add just go for it, what have I got to lose? This dose of my own medicine induced a bout of positive thinking. This year is supposed to be all about enjoyment of cycling first and foremost, so that's what I'll concentrate on. And as today was National Happiness Day, I'll add a secondary objective to be faster than last year, and a tertiary one to get a gold time. We'll see how I go.

If today's ride is anything to go by it should be a good day. I'm taking the Red madone as I did today, I think it is quicker than K-1, and the weather forecast is looking up. I did a couple of small hills on the way into work, and came home along the flattish A370. As I was slowly down for a traffic light, which predictably turned green, I was passed by another roadie, skinny as a beanpole with an enormous backpack on. Going like the clappers too, so perfect for a free draft for a couple of miles until our paths diverged.

It was also pretty cool, as in cold rather than trendy, first thing, given I leave at 6.30 it is always going to be until the summer at least. So it was leg warmers and detachable arm time again. Still, I didn't need lights today, which is a real sign that summer is on the way, and I was home by 7PM too.

It was also the first time I have enjoyed riding for a couple of weeks, not that i have done much of it. My mood's been a bit down of late, been a bit self-absorbed. It's amazing what a carbon frame and a couple of spinning wheels can do for me, easily pleased. Now if that isn't positive thinking I don't know what is.
And now I've managed to post a proper link, though I have no idea how I did that. Here is a proper Charlie link:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/362834