No.5 Bitten off more than I can chew!

The weather has a lot to answer for lately! I've never really let the rain get to me before, but now I'm a cyclist (still find that weird), rain is only permitted when I'm otherwise engaged ;-) Sadly, the weather hasn't quite got the hang of this yet, and in the 10 days since collecting our new bikes - Tic Tac and Ginger Nuts, there has been very few times when our calendars have synced.

First task, was for me to practice using cleats. I'm shocked at how quickly I forgot I was actually attached to a bike, resulting in me falling off twice in the space of a few minutes!!! Bruised and annoyed with myself, it took a lot of cajoling to encourage me back onto my bike, to practise clipping in and out a few more times. But Graeme used his magic powers even though I wasn't happy about it!

I had a weep that night. For the first time I really thought that maybe I had bitten off more than I can chew, that I was asking too much of myself, and regardless of time, effort and money spent, maybe this wasn't a challenge I would succeed in. In reality my weep and going out on Tic Tac for the first time, was coinciding with an extremely emotional time for me and I was just asking too much of myself.

I was being filmed for an educational DVD that will be used to raise awareness and knowledge of Necrotising Fasciitis, to medical professionals, within a maternity setting. This meant telling my story in depth and also meeting other survivors for the first time. I was emotionally drained from discussing my NF with family (who I rely on as I have few real memories of my NF) and the worry of how filming would affect me. I can honestly say that although the experience was full of sadness it was also extremely empowering. Meeting fellow survivors Deb, Jenny, Katy and Vicki I felt 'normal' for the first time in over 7 years. I will be forever grateful to them for the role they have played in my life without even realising it. Thank you :-) My passion for what I was doing had wavered but helping The Lee Spark NF Foundation by completing this next challenge is well and truly on!

Now I was eager to get on my bike. I won't let myself be beaten. We knew that the transition to a road bike was going to be difficult for me and gaining confidence with cleats was just one more hurdle to get over. Graeme knew he'd have his work cut out on this first ride. He was/is responsible for keeping me on track and where I want to be. I'm sure he was feeling the pressure of our first 'proper' ride being a successful one. 

G and Ginger Nuts before our first ride!

16.93 miles later and no falls I have got my confidence back! The ride has thrown up a million and one things that need to be worked on but for now I am simply focusing on my first achievement even if it is mainly due to Graeme constantly talking me through the routine of clipping in and out. Next step is to take a ride out on my own. But I'll be getting a few more joint rides under my belt before I do. I can highly recommend Graeme for moral support, just keep in mind that he's pretty busy for the next 15 months ;-) 

No.4 I've fallen in love .......... with a bike!

What an exciting week! Although I've had back issues to deal with I have had plenty of 'bike' time without actually being on the road :-)

The phone call finally came to say that our Condor Fratello frames had arrived into the workshop! The team at Red Kite Cycles have done an amazing job at building our bikes and going in for our fittings was a dream experience.

Having a bike fit is very satisfying. Knowing that you are starting out with every part of your body in the correct place is certainly good for your confidence, especially after the slightly humiliating need of help to 'get my leg over'!

Bike during fitting

Even without the finishing touches I could feel the love for my bike already. Tic Tac and I (yes I have named my bike) will be spending an obscene amount of time together so I guess love is a good thing :-) I seriously didn't want to leave her after the fitting but couldn't wait to see her in all her glory!

So, today was the day we went to collect our bikes. My face is still aching from the amount of grinning I have done. She is a beauty! I am slightly overwhelmed by my feelings to be honest. A lot of time was spent admiring, grinning and admiring some more. This is it. This is the beginning. I have so much to learn and deal with over the coming months but I am ready for it!

Meet Tic Tac!

As we travelled home with our new purchases Graeme turned to me, smiled and said 'I was just thinking about how far you've come ....' Says it all really :-) 

Team WheelchairtoSaddle - Tic Tac & Ginger Nuts

No.3 There's nothing like your own saddle!

What a great week! There really is nothing like a week away with family and friends to feed your soul :-) Leaving the bikes at home we set off for Cornwall. It seems that cycling is never far from my thoughts anymore, and even though I know the roads well, they seemed so different through a cyclists eyes!!! Even the hills have hills in Cornwall.

The journey on the M5 gave me chance to ogle other peoples bikes too. I never took a blind bit of notice before - what a difference a year makes! As our JoGLE bikes are currently being built, and having spent A LOT of time getting the specifications exactly as we want, I found myself comparing MY bike to every one I saw. MY bike is still the best. I'm certain I've chosen well :-D

A green-eyed monster appeared on passing every lycra-clad cyclist and I genuinely wanted to be putting in the miles on those Cornish Roads. Next years challenge is getting scarier and more exciting the closer it gets. Its going to be one of those painful but beautiful experiences in life. Not unlike my experience of childbirth and death and they both ended up successfully ;-)

With the Camel Trail literally on our doorstep everyone ventured out to complete the Padstow - Wadebridge - Padstow 12 mile section. No mean feat with 4 young boys in tow. This of course meant hire bikes. I was given a bike with a huge saddle, a sit up and beg position and fat tyres - all the things I craved when starting to ride last year. Within 5 minutes I was coming up out of my seat to give my glutes a rest!

 View towards Rock

Apart from pining for my own bike those 12 miles were just brilliant. Cycling in the sun!!!, the sense of achievement for everyone - especially the boys, amazing views and ending with great food. I shall remember that ride for a long time. I'm certain it'll be in the forefront of my mind if I'm having a bad day on my JoGLE. It's great to have a serious goal ahead but cycling is fun and I intend to enjoy it as much as I possibly can :-)

The halfway mark