Maintaining the Training;

Most days I cycle to and from work, and try to do more at the weekend. But family takes precedence, so a trip to Swindon on Saturday with Hannah, Michael and grand-daughter Josie to see friend Ros was a special time. Back for church on Sunday, I was just descending into Luton when the mobile fired off a message; missed call from Naomi. I don't like calls on the bike; I can never answer them in time.

But this call changed the plans for the return cycle ride. Naomi was feeling rough in Cheltenham. So it was home by the direct route, lunch as planned, and Sue & I drove to Cheltenham. Five minute turn around and I drive Naomi's V reg Yaris back to Eaton Bray. It's a lovely car, and Naomi survives the journey home in the car that has aircon and comfy seats!

Stephen graduated this last weekend with his Masters in Education from Homerton, Cambridge, so we joined him at his college and then the Senate House for the ceremony. Central Cambridge had a huge choice of eating establishments, so Jamie's Italian won the day at about 1700hrs and we retreated inside from the showers that had dogged us. Emerging into the evening light, we toured my old college Queens' in the best of the day's weather. Cameras captured the events. Another special day with no cycling!

Sunday I finally did a longer ride. Ten miles to church, 17 miles to St Albans, and I had looked at the Sustrans Route 6 in advance. Underneath the Parkway bridge to Luton Hoo, the cycle track was easy to find. It's a beauty to ride on, taking me into the centre of Harpenden. Then the main road took me past the station and on to St Albans. Just as I was approaching Morrisons the mobile went off. It was Sue, but another missed call! At Hannah's home, I had a chance of a shower and change before a meal out at Darcys with all the family to celebrate my retirement. Sue's next call catches me in the bathroom, but I get a lift to the restaurant. Another great meal out. Once back in my cycling gear, its home the most direct route. 17 miles in 73 minutes into a head wind. The worst bit was the bumpy road below Harpenden. It felt like the bike had elliptical wheels for a couple of miles. Great to descend Bison Hill at Whipsnade in the final approach to home.

The Garmin SatNav tells me my speeds and times, and even on the shorter routes, my times are improving. Folk sometimes comment I'm looking a bit thinner; the scales tell me that too when I jump on them in the morning. So I haven't done big distances since Sheffield, but I retire tomorrow. The department takes me out on Wednesday evening to Cafe Masala in Eaton Bray, and I can then get serious about clocking up more miles.

Watch this space to see the fruition! Shall I change my pedals and cycling shoes to SPD clip-ons? The theory is I could go faster. The reluctance is that I might fail to dismount safely, by a twist of the foot to disengage the pedal when stopping. I want to cycle to Evans in Milton Keynes to pick up a discount of some final cycling items.

I saw a great cycling top in London last Thursday in Holborn. " Hate Jams; Love Marmite" in bright yellow. I start the day with marmite on my toast. There's double appeal there. Oh yes; I overtook Sue on the way to work last week, after she had earlier gone past me. Another joy of cycling!

Join me again soon.