Bike ride, August 28th, 2017

[SteveH]

Possibly the hottest August bank holiday ever, so I pedalled out into the countryside, and visited George Bernard Shaw's house at Ayot St Lawrence, which I've passed numerous times before, but never been into until now. It's owned by the National Trust, and open to the public.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/154641658@N06/albums/72157685892122143

[Robbie]

Good photographs SteveH. Do you belong to cycling club? I'm considering getting my od bike out of garage & doing a few miles, it's been too long  since I used it (not today I've hurt my foot, blooming thing swollen & bruised so am reluctant lady of leisure for a change). My nephew was last one to use it a couple of months back, he checked it over &said it was in good order. I enjoy cycling but it's question of finding the time.

[SteveH]

Glad you like the photos. No, I'm not in a cycling club, although there's a club for over-60 I've heard of which I might find out about, as long as they cater ofr unambitious potterers like me - I'm not a speed or distance freak.

[Robbie]

A man I know quite well, divorced, joined a cycling club for people who enjoy cycling but not overly competitive. Met a nice lady there too, also divorced, seems to be going strong (both the cycling and them). They've been away for short breaks, taking bikes on train.

[SusanDoris]

For several years now, some Australian friends of mine have chosen to do cycling holidays in Europe. It seems there are cycle paths just about everywhere and it is easy to plan a route starting, say in Germany, and finishing in Hungary and hardly touch a road at all.

[Robbie]

Marvellous Susan! I wouldn't be that adventurous, a little bike ride to local shops and through the woods is my limit, or round to my sister or round to local friends/family. Sister rides her bike every so often. Since our lovely holiday we've both had small silly accidents, she sprained her left wrist quite badly, better now. I hurt my foot and Achilles tendon yesterday and can only hobble. A week or two though & I'll be freewheelin' like a good 'un!

[SusanDoris]

I always used to have a bike and loved to use it. when I had to give up driving, I thought I might get a tricycle! However, I quickly realised that wouldn't work, even though I did still have some focal vision at the time.

[SteveH]

There's a long day-ride I used to do, and may do again some time now I'm cycling again, which is about 100 miles, less than 10 of which is on roads. The rest is on Sustrans paths or canal towpaths.

[Robbie]

I admire your stamina, it all sounds so glorious and healthy! You are someone to emulate.
Atm I am resting my leg - not bad to be pampered for a change, I'm not used to it and it's nice - but much better today, reckon I'll be OK next week. In meantime I'm planning fitness activities for when I'm back to normal.

[SteveH]

Glad to hear it. What did you do to yourself?

[Robbie]

I was wearing sandals that are nice usually but I hadn't done the strap up properly - earlier the clasp on the strap had stuck into my foot so I undid it & was negligent in fastening it again. Walking from car park carrying some things, a couple of people pushed past me, don't know who, and I fell down a couple of steps. Didn't think much of it at first but when I was back in office my foot was hurting and swelled up and back of calf hurt (my bum and elbow are also bruised but I said nothing about that). When it was time to go home I could barely put my foot on the floor so someone drove me home in my car, (don't live far from work), with another following to take them back.

I put frozen peas on foot and leg. My husband came home and was quite attentive, bless him. My sis rang up for chat and he told her over the phone - in ten minutes she and brother in law arrived. B-i-l is orthopodaedic surgeon, He examined foot and leg and said I had to rest it, no sign of breakage, keep up the frozen peas etc. He wrote a note to my GP and delivered it just in case I need certificate, he also came round next morning to have a look, but nothing serious & I'm much better. My sister is a physio and has given me no end of advice  .

When we were back from holiday my sis had similar accident coming out of work, people pushing past her as she was going downstairs. She fell and had a very bad left wrist sprain! Naturally, as she was just outside the hospital, she went to A&E and was X-rayed etc, then sent home. She's OK now and so will I be. First time I have been off sick since I don't know when but it's quite nice in way, especially as I'm not seriously ill and not much pain. Had flowers delivered from work today :-).

Future profession - Professional Invalid!

I'll be fed up with it in a couple of days though.

Edit :- partly becos of grammah!!
Still enjoying being at home.  M-i-l came round with flowers, soup and cottage pie!  Feel much better. My parents want us to come over for meals over weekend - we'll see - barbecue planned for Sunday has been moved to eldest daughter's house.   Looking forward to that, she has something to tell us....

[Robbie]

I was trying to find this thread to tell you my bike is out of moth balls! Over the weekend my brother in law, who is a bike enthusiast, gave it a good going over and I went for ride on cycle tracks nearby, with sister.  Today I used it for work.  I am a bit of a wally and was worried about traffic but drove to work this morning, after appointments came home for early lunch, i.e.before 12, and rode back to work, went out during afternoon to see people and came home on bike. Was a bit nervous coming home.I'll do it again but must work out which days are best regarding traffic, I want to avoid rush hour - but did enjoy it very much. Even if I only use bike once a week it will do me good & I liked going on cycle tracks at weekend.

[SteveH]

I was trying to find this thread to tell you my bike is out of moth balls! Over the weekend my brother in law, who is a bike enthusiast, gave it a good going over and I went for ride on cycle tracks nearby, with sister.  Today I used it for work.  I am a bit of a wally and was worried about traffic but drove to work this morning, after appointments came home for early lunch, i.e.before 12, and rode back to work, went out during afternoon to see people and came home on bike. Was a bit nervous coming home.I'll do it again but must work out which days are best regarding traffic, I want to avoid rush hour - but did enjoy it very much. Even if I only use bike once a week it will do me good & I liked going on cycle tracks at weekend.

[Robbie]

Did nearly the same yesterday.  Won't tomorrow (I've got my day off today), going in and leaving in rush hour & only half hour for lunch.
Enjoyed it.