No ride this morning, as I had to take some stuff into work and I don’t fancy wobbling all over the road with a rucksack full of laptop / ipads / phones etc. The sun is out again and I would rather be out there cranking up some miles. I have a long ride planned this weekend, just hoping the weather is going to be kind. (over to Sian Lloyd for that one)

So my list of famous re-tweets is growing, the Fantastic Billie Myers was gracious enough to re-tweet my sponsorship page this afternoon. I had to rush over to youtube and listen to “Kiss the rain” … fantastic. can’t believe that was 1997, where does time go ?. Looking forward to her new album Tea and Sympathy (available March 18th). please check it out people.

The gorgeous and very talented – Billie Myers

Well the sun poked its head out from between the clouds this evening, so I took the opportunity to get some miles in. It’s still blinking freezing on the bike, 2 layers and a neck warmer. The worst bit is on the faster downhills (the wind through the helmet slots gives your forehead a painful headache. ). The sun makes the ride a whole lot more enjoyable even though there seems to be no heat coming from it. Anyway a nice 25 miles … 1st sportive of the year is the weekend after this one. Stay tuned.

No chance to really get out on the bike this weekend, it came back from the workshop yesterday and it’s just too cold out there; with this bitter wind it’s basically dangerous. I see they cancelled the 66th edition of Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne due to bad weather. SO I don’t feel too bad about not getting out. (any excuse to watch the Rugby).

The lovely Sian Lloyd, TV weather girl extraordinaire, re-tweeted my sponsorship page so MANY thanks to her for that, SO please check out her website.

The lovely Siân Lloyd

Well the bike is back, had to get a few spares but all is looking very good. Set the bike up in the garage and gave it a good grease / oil and service. Now as I am old, middle aged and still have a brain like a 12 year old, I have decided to splash out and upgrade. SO… I have ordered one of these babies which will be arriving in the next 4/5 days. The reasons for this are ..

1: I can use the old bike for commuting to work (and the new one for the day rides)
2: The components on the old bike are getting worn now, (and it will be expensive to replace everything)
3: I may sell the old one.
4: I am making excuses just to warrant spending more money on bikes.
5: I am getting old and I am just spending money on more toys.
6: … can’t really think of a sensible reason ?

Will post a photo of the beast once it has arrived and is assembled.

Another great event today was that Marco Pinotti (the fantastic Italian cyclist) re-tweeted one of my requests for sponsorship. I have been following him for a few years now and saw him at the Olympics last year. He is laid up with a busted shoulder at the moment, so wishing him well for a speedy recovery. So a big thankyou to the “cycling Professor” and here is a shot of him at London 2012 ( I recommend his e-book on amazon)

Pinotti … on the back straight of the London 2010 Olympic time trial