Friday, February 3, 2012

Ouch!

My first cycle to work for the year. And it hurt!

It's been over four months since my last commute, and the only regular exercise I've had in that time is copious fork-lifts and jaw-crunches.

Looking back, I see it was also exactly this Friday last year when I resumed cycling for the year. By the look of my post then, it was a soggy experience. Today was beautiful, dry, crisp and clean. The thing that got to me today was the cold. I'm not fit enough yet to sustain much effort so my legs never properly warmed up. Which meant the cold got to them and sapped my energy even further. I was counting down the kilometers on the way home, as each one grew harder than the last.

But I made it, and it will get easier.

And I was rewarded with the sight of three deer grazing someone's lawn this evening.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are an inspiration to this couch bound sloth.

Unknown said...

Biking to work is such a great way to get some daily exercise. The cold sucks, but Spring is around the corner and then your biking excursions will be so much more enjoyable. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Heather Henry said...

Very inspiring!! I am happy if I get out once a day and take a walk. How far do you have to ride to work? Seeing deer out and about, is always a bonus. The weather has been unusually nice this season, hoping it sticks around and we can all get out more. Have a wonderful weekend! :)

Botanist said...

Delores, every little bit of inspiration helps :)

Nicole, we're coming up to my favourite time of year, when everything brightens up. Luckily it's not too cold - at least it's staying above freezing.

Heather, I have 21km to cycle - each way. It's a bit difficult to ease into it, just bite the bullet and go!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Johanna Garth said...

So nice when the rainy gloom lifts enough to let us PNWers outside a bit. Now I'm inspired to pull out the bikes at our house too!

Kimberlee Turley said...

Oh my goodness that's a long distance.

Is the terrain mostly flat, or do you have hills to go up and down?

klahanie said...

Hi Ian,
Well done for getting back on your bicycle. I can well imagine the aches and pains after such a long time. Still, at least you got to note those three deer grazing. I wouldn't dare take out my bicycle today. We are now having that predicted major snow storm.
Thought I should inform you that Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star, has bestowed an award upon your good self. She has told me that you must not feel obliged to acknowledge it. We leave that up to you, good sir.
Have a great weekend.
With respect, Gary

Botanist said...

Hey, Johanna, welcome to The Bald Patch. I see you aren't far away, hope the winter gloom is lifting for you too.

Clutzattack, luckily it is almost all flat. There's a beautiful rural trail built on an old rail route. The only problem is the 2km or so climb I face running up to home right at the end of the day :(

Gary, hope you're keeping warm through that nasty British winter. And thank Penny for me please. I'm catching up on my blog visiting and will drop by later to see what Penny has to say.

unikorna said...

Since I am a very curious lady :) I'd have greatly enjoyed seeing a photo of you walking...and looking good :).

Botanist said...

LOL! Maybe some photos another time, unikorna :)

Ellie Garratt said...

Well done for getting back on your bike. Great exercise.

Yesterday a friend and I did a costal walk. It was great fun (although we had to turn back when we got to the scramble along the rockface part - I'm not good with heights). I have a few aching muscles today!

Botanist said...

Good for you, Ellie. I take it you've missed the blizzards hitting a lot of the UK then?

Jennifer Hillier said...

Well done, cycling to work!

I have to force myself to do anything active. If I don't, I will totally sit around all day. Like today, for example. Sigh.

Botanist said...

I guess that's the downside to having a lovely office in your own home :)

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