I mentioned last month that we had a power cut and ended up getting slightly inebriated as a result.
Well, whilst chatting to my neighbour, Frank, that night, warming tumbler of JD in hand, he said that he would be doing the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Bike Ride again this year – having done it for the first time last year.
Now, I’ve done the London to Brighton ride a couple of times in the past and really enjoyed it. In fact, I used to really enjoy cycling and did a quite a bit when I was younger and fitter. I was actually quite good. The Bradley Wiggins of my day.
Possibly.
Or not.
But anyway, I stopped cycling about twenty years ago, just after I’d done the last London to Brighton, when my knees started playing up.
In recent years though, I’ve often found myself thinking about starting to ride again. Especially now that the kids have their own bikes – it’d be nice to go on some family rides in the Summer. And it’d probably help to get my fitness level up a tad.
And so, in my somewhat intoxicated state, I readily agreed to join Frank and his team-mates on the ride.
I’ve signed up. I’ve paid my registration fee. It’s going to happen. In June. On Father’s Day.
Now I just need to get myself a bike.
That’ll help a lot.
I’ll do it! Of course, I can’t do it on a pushbike because I’ve got a bone in my leg (past broken left leg, broken left kneecap, torn left ante-cruciate ligament, torn left post-cruciate legament, torn left medial-cruciate ligament, vaporised the minisical cartilage from the left knee), but I’d do it on the Bandit! Oh. Not in the rules? Shame.
But seriously, bloody good for you. Also well done. and other verbal signs of encouragement.
Can you not go on your motorbike? Be a lot easier…
My OH owns a bike shop…
You should check with your GP before cycling, it can damage the knee more than running.
Bren – Thanks. That’s a lot of injuries! Were you once Barry Sheene?
Jules – It would certainly be a lot easier. But I’ve scanned the rules with a fine toothed comb and motorbikes are not allowed. Tutus, however, are almost compulsary. Which is worrying.
TA – I’ll ask my GP, but I think he’ll be too busy to come along. I did a bit of riding a couple of years back when we hired some bikes in CentreParcs and my knees felt OK. Admittedly, that was a lot more gentle than this will be, but will shall see how it goes.
Masher, no, it was a horse-related incident.