What a difference a month makes ( and 16 other guys!)...

Honestly, I have a little admittance - when I went out on the GasGas a few days after the trip, it was on the tarmac, not a blade of grass or hint of mud did grace the bike. This afternoon however was different!

I'm doing some research at the moment around confidence and the neuroscience behind it and also bringing together a workshop on leadership behaviours. Pondering traits and attitudes around when something challenging occurs; do we give up or 'keep calm and carry on', it made me think about the Pyrenean adventure. Since then, I don't mind saying my confidence has been seriously waivering between wanting to learn more, do a rally, go to Africa .......and never getting on a bike ever, ever again!

So, in light of "we never know until we try", I had a now or never moment, donned my gear this afternoon, fired up the GasGas and went for a blast.

It became apparent from the off that in fact my riding ability has improved immeasurably since the Pyrenees. I was really quite happy on the bike, the GasGas that formerly intimidated me big-time! Throttle and clutch - nice - and into the powerband, it's actually quite narrow so once you're in it, it's time to change gear again. Not any more will Gary be giving my exhaust a sideward glance at all the unburned oil (because I've not been riding it properly). Result!

Albeit riding at the back most (okay all) of the time in the Pyrenees behind riders of the most awesome, talent, ability and.....speed .....I had to keep up or at least try and in doing so, yours truly can know hack along at a pace too.

So, I've googled a rally or two, put out a few calls and messages and yes Africa is in my sights.

On a more sartorial note, I think I need some new gear, something a little less brash, my stuff is somewhat bright, colourful and ' in your face' as it were.

Drawing attention is not what one requires. The guys in the Pyrenees had gear that was quite understated and it was their supreme riding skills that drew the eye. Way to go!

Magnificent motorsport memorabilia........

When one journey comes to an end another begins. This amazing journey from one cold February morning earlier this year thinking 'I'm going to learn how to ride an off-road bike and ride it somewhere interesting ', to now has been quite incredible.

To date we've raised almost £8,000 and the final furlong, as it were, is auctioning the quite fabulous and unique piece of motorsport memorabilia and history. The shirt bit.ly/nKiLRu been signed by; Valentino Rossi, nine Grand Prix World Championships and multiple MotoGP World Championship title holder, Jorge Lorenzo, 2006 & 2007 250cc World Champion, 2010 Moto GP World Champion, James Toseland, 2004 & 2007 World Superbike Champion - he retired last month due to a wrist injury,

Cal Crutchlow, British Supersport champion and British Superbike race winner, and the 2009 Supersport World Champion, Danny Webb, 125cc World Championship multiple title holder, Leon Haslam, British Superbikes, World superbikes, Ian Hutchinson, TT racer, Jonathan Rea, World Superbike racer, Keith Amor, TT legend, David Johnson, British Superbikes , James Whitham,TT Superbike champion, British Superbike Champion Supercup and the ACU TT British Superbike Champion, John McGuinness, TT legend, Neil Hodgson, British Superbike and World Superbike Champion & Ian Lougher, 9 victories in the North West 200, 10 wins at the Isle of Man TT Races and 42 wins at the Southern 100 Races and all the signatures were gathered by Steve Parrish. What an awesome collection.

Some say a journey is best measured by the new friends and people one meets.

Many have been asking what the next challenge will be, there were a number of answers to that a fortnight ago!

A seasoned off-roader who competes regularly and is awesome on a bike, called me last week. He's done the trip. He said 'Congratulations and well done! What were you thinking (I don't think I was), that was a truly epic challenge for such a beginner. Good on you for coming back in one piece'. I'm still surprising myself now thinking back to some of the terrain I covered on a dirtbike! Wouldn't have missed it for the world and the guys were all fantastic and very supportive and encouraging but crikey I didn't know what I didn't know ......... But I do now......!

Thank you, Merci and Grazie to so many people;

Donna Gray for getting me on the bike, in the right kit and starting off my very tentative learning experience, Martin Wittering, mechanic extraordinaire along with buckets of constant moral support and encouragement, Gary Faillettaz for his consistent unfailing encouragement, tuition and so, so very much patience and picking my bike up more times than should be allowed, team-mate fantastico, Steve Parrish for the fabulous signed shirt, books and WSB passes, Michelle Hunter for hosting the auction at the wonderful Queen Adelaide, John Kettley - without whom for sure this journey would never have really begun! Jim Gale for the brilliant graphics and plastics, Tamsin Jones for training, moral support and hugely boosting my confidence, Liz Rhodes at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire for constant encouragement, Nigel Wheatley and Michele Maddocks of Enduroland, Ed Blum, film director, Charley Boorman for tweeting, FB 'ing ( in fact getting me on FB), signing a book for the auction, Ross Noble for an auction prize and for making me laugh and keeping me human in Wales, Billy Ward for making these aforementioned things happen and for suggesting more training, not to mention making me smile on numerous occasions when I really needed to, Tim McEwan, auctioneer of the mostest, Ian Glover of Bloodhound SSC, Nigel Harrison, Jayne Perks, Jeremy Goring of the Goring Hotel, Sue & Andy Banham of Taylard House, Chris Evans (thanks as well as singlehandedly almost completely putting me off bikes forever!) and Cyril Despres, Graham Banks of GB Racing for so much, Sally Saunders of Esse (support and keeping me vaguely feminine), Jacquie and Matt of The Wendy House, Janine Wood of SLP, Tessa Roberts of Ocean One, Christian Malissard of Eagle Perf, Angela Dawson of Dawson VA Services, Dave Newman of SupremeBeing, Irene Routh-Jones for moral support, lovely friend Rachael for getting me packed and lovely texts when I was in the Pyrenees, dear friends Paul and Ailsa for airport runs, Caroline Faillettaz for huge support, my parents for looking after the girls, my fabulous friend Wendy for so much moral support and my gorgeous sister Elly who was particularly brilliant when I was finding it harder than hard, Mr T for so much and so much more and my beautiful girls. And of course to so many generous family and friends who gave donations, kind words and huge support, thank you, thank you, thank you, merci, merci, merci, grazie, grazie, grazie.

As for the next challenge..........Andalucia and Africa in my sights and perhaps a rally. Watch this space.......

What goes up - must come down! GUEST POST FROM MR T

What goes up - must come down, there is no such thing as a free lunch, many a mickle makes a muckle, if I knew what the last one meant, that too may also apply to the challenging trip from which we have just returned. The first one is obvious. The 'lunch' in the second refers to the fantastic views we witnessed from the top of various Pyrennean peaks, which you too may have enjoyed in photographic form from the comfort of your PC. You will have realised that the 'no such thing as...' is the treacherous ascent on two wheels, to be followed by an even more hazardous descent!

In the early stages, whilst informing people of the planned trip in the attempt to secure sponsorship, a large proportion responded very positively assuming the undertaking was to be completed on mountain bikes. When informed that motorised transport were to be involved, a number looked somewhat sceptical, under the impression that there would be little challenge involved with an engine doing the hard graft. Yeah, right! The number of times one can drag a 140KG motorcycle 20 metres up a rock strewn 45 degree slope is very definitely limited to no more than twice an hour, (in my case, anyway). In fact, there are ample opportunities to do oneself some serious damage, or worse.........

Whilst I didn't break anything, or even ruin my GOSH riding kit with blood stains, I did have a rather alarming episode on the descent to lunch on day two. The descent in question was a rocky mountain stream bed, mostly dry, but slimy here and there and very narrow, perhaps no more than a foot wide in places. Add boulders, the odd errant cow, and all in 30 plus degrees heat, and things begin to get tricky. The final section was in excess of a kilometre, (could have been two for all I know), and wearing helmet, goggles and body armour, all added to an overheating rider, even the trusty KTM boiled up twice in sympathy! At the bottom, the trail turned to 9 inches of sticky mud with assorted rocks. Lacking the energy to steer by now, a rock caught the rear wheel and had me off. Stepping off, I was happy to let the bike fall whilst I attempted to catch my breath. Young Gary, waiting at the bottom, came and rescued the bike and rode to firm ground for me, I had neither the energy or will to pick the bike up myself...

Three minutes later we were at our lunch stop, I was the last to arrive. Staggering in, I sat down but had no interest in eating. Fifteen minutes later, I was still panting, my heart pounding and my T-shirt soaked. Interestingly, I later learned that the first aiders were getting alarmed at this stage, as I had turned grey and they were desperately trying to think of reasons why they shouldn't be the one to administer CPR! Really, I had shaved and brushed my teeth that morning! Anyway, a selection of isotonic pouches and a couple of litres of fluids later, I was ready - to quit! It took a couple of hours to return to my normal chirpy self.

On a few occasions, I would have happily have pointed the KTM down the mountain and given it a shove. So, bearing all of the above in mind, and that I have been riding motorcycles, albeit on the road, for longer than I would care to admit, I hope this helps you appreciate what Kate has achieved. In fact, only Gary managed to complete the whole three days, upholding the honour of the Enduro Challenge Team. I wouldn't have missed it for the world, but never imagined the level of bike control, fitness or skill required to conquer the trails, well done Mrs T!

Finally, without exception, the other 'off-roaders' who were riding the same route were top geezers, so we are still to encounter a dodgy biker, perhaps they don't actually exist......

15 minutes in! GUEST POST FROM GARY

15 minutes in and I realised that Kate was going to find this trip very challenging if not impossible.

It was more challenging and more extreme than I had imagined. Not only was the going hard, but it was also long. Not like the short bursts of rocks over p'haps 10metres or so in trials but kilometres of it! The descents and climbs were much steeper than I expected; very, very steep.

Nearly 400km of harsh, hard and challenging terrain covered over 3 days in 27 to 33 degrees heat.

The high point was getting up a huge, steep climb of c2km, covered in really tricky rock sections, strewn with boulders and up and down step sections!

Fantastic bunch of lads and stunning scenery, I'll definitely be going again.

Incidentally, had I done one of these trips before Kate, I would have told her to not attempt it!

Photos courtesy of sport-adventure.com

A jigsaw of the most extraordinary proportions!

John Hall

arrived today just after lunch to load the bikes. Well! Wow! So many bikes into such a small space - it really was very, very impressive.

This last week, the over-riding feeling has generally been one of excitement - however as the last jerry can went in, I suddenly felt really rather nervous! Get those butterflies in formation, girl!

All that is left now is to enjoy, soak it all up and relax into it - that sounds more like a bath that an off-road adventure?!

I know that I have the skills, albeit more honed in some areas than others, so now it's up to me to use them and call upon those new found abilities and resources that are there.

Thanks so very much to all our friends and family for their continued fabulous support, encouragement and love, through the ebbing and flowing of emotions during the high days and the less so! It is so enormously appreciated and the monies raised thus far for GOSH and KidsCo is just wonderful - last look c £6700.

A bientot, Xx

A stiff fork of a Sunday morning......?!

I think the expression could be one step forward, two steps back.

Whilst being all for plans coming together at the last minute, even by my standards, this is cutting it a bit fine!

My (new to me) Honda CRF 250X arrived on Friday - spotless, 4 stroke, push start loveliness in scarlet (matching nails opportunity?!) What with work, life, general stuff I didn't get to ride it properly until this morning.

Team outing; Gary, Mr T and myself (very excited), just as we were setting off, I was thinking, well it's not sublimely different, in fact my riding seems to be just as pants as it's ever been. 'Keep at it, girl' I thought. Novice, as I am after a small amount of road work and onto the byway, I couldn't help pondering why my hands were aching so much and hard as I tried, couldn't seem to stand up properly, or effectively anyway (I need some bar risers too). Of course, it could be that it's sulking - do bikes sulk? I dropped it before I'd even ridden it!

In a straight line all was well, however slow speeds and corners I was finding a tad challenging. Funny moment then ensued, I was in front at this point and was going round the edge of a grassy corner knowing that on other side there were some ruts. Chap appeared coming the other way on a KTM I think, with a bit of a lick on and the slightly horrified look combined with a possible "are you changing course or am I" look in his eyes was priceless! Huhh, I held my line. He was with about 15 or so others, bikes of all shapes and sizes - only a handful said hello or acknowledged ( in fact 4) and there I am telling anyone who will listen that bikers are mostly fabulous and really friendly (the exceptions to that rule were out in Hertfordshire this morning!).

So, back to the Honda. We stopped at a little clearing on the top of a hill with stonking views, there's a couple of banks which I now have the know-how to jump - yeehah! I can't remember if it was Gary or Mr T that asked if my forks were a bit stiff, I learnt over the front of the bike and pushed. "Try harder than that","I am trying" I replied - nothing! They had a go, nothing. To say I had stiff forks would be the understatement of the year, no wonder I'd been struggling.

I hopped onto the KTM - Mr T's 400- cripes - what a difference! I'll ride this thanks and I did. Mr T rode the Honda from then on and back home, didn't enjoy the fight by all accounts. I rode the KTM, my new best friend (BFF!). The good news however, is that now I know I'm progressing, hitherto, I felt so intimidated by the KTM, too heavy, too high. I had oodles of fun on it this morning. I even got a bit of air - a proper jump on it (both wheels)!

Last leg of the trip, situation normal, I was bringing up the rear as it were. Stopped at a main road where the Icknield Way crosses it, there was a stream of road-bikers, they all said hello, nodded etc, there were one or two rather aesthetically pleasing leather/ kevlar clad backsides too?! Devil's in the detail!

The boys were considering whether the bike was indeed even run in, it's not yet done 200km. Oh well, if I leave today I'll reach Biarritz in time and the Honda should be run in too!

Hopefully, Martin of TorqueRacing will work his magic otherwise I might yet be riding the Pyrenees on the GasGas!

16 days to go, more wonderful donations in last week for GOSH and KidsCo and I think I can almost, nearly call myself a bit of a biker, albeit one with dodgy forks!!

Lust and glitter........

I was thrilled to be asked to be a guestblogger this week on the

Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital blog http://greatormondstreethospitalcharity.wordpress.com/ - another first!

Lusting after the paint job (honest?!) on the Triumph Speed Triple that Ross Noble rode from one tip of the UK to t'other for Riders for Health, I was delighted to hear that Esse, one of our fabulous supporters of the challenge, offer glorious glittery Shellac nails. Perfect for bikers! Especially those lusting after.......

On more important matters, since my tuition with Gary at the weekend, I've been on the bike every day since - a record. On Mr T's bike to be precise. It still phases me a tad mostly because it's heavy, a 400EXC 4 stroke. Possibly also because it's a bit grotchety when first out of the garage and not yet warmed up - bit like me in the morning! However, it's all practice and if I can manoeuvre that particular beasty in a figure of eight, the GasGas should be easy, apart from the blipping the throttle bit, which you don't really need to do on the 4 stroke.

From all this slow work on heavy bike I'm developing all sorts of muscles in my legs and boy my stomach muscles ached yesterday.

I've practiced all the techniques that Gary shared; ascents, descents, lots of figures of eight and little right hand circles (yeuk - not good at them) got some air again of the top of the hill- teehee. I was enjoying it too, even if the thumping in my heart indicated otherwise once or twice.

Then as an extra boost, albeit unplanned, a couple of eejits had somehow managed to get their car (what it was doing on the byway I have no idea) stuck on something and was blocking the way rather. In fact it wasn't blocking the way, it was blocking my way, my usual route that is! So, on heavy bike I went through a little gap with a big lumpy bit in the middle, a concrete slab, a muddy puddle and a thorny bush and aforementioned car to my right. A scenario that would ordinarily have rendered a stop on my part and help from one of the boys or another way to go. Either way, a mishap would potentially have been expensive. As Mick Andrews said in a trials video (vintage technology) that we've borrowed from Gary, it's often all in the head, the difference between a successful manoeuvre and one less so.

I did it!

There's hope for the old girl yet or perhaps it was just a spot of fairy magic from my glittery biker nails. Positive psychology! Whatever works eh....!

Danger from your own bike when you're not even on it!!

An afternoon with Gary and how different the challenge looks! I.e. a bit more possible than last week.

Still haven't got my bike back, so undeterred I took out Mr T's 4 stroke 400 KTM and practiced on the field near the house. I noticed the weight difference, also the more consistent power delivery, linear, I'm informed, the the GasGas is more lumpy , to my mind anyway. Still managed a few kangaroo like manoeuvres! Either way it's very different to the GasGas. Then after an hour or so of that, went to a local clunch pit for some practice and tuition with Gary.

Lots of ascents and descents, where to put my weight, use of the throttle, clutch, brakes. The big difference with the 4 stroke being that the engine brakes which helps when going down hill. So, did lots of that!

Then Gary suggested something new. He put out a couple of rocks about 2 bike lengths apart to practice slow controlled riding around. He then demonstrated how to move on the bike in a figure of eight and it looked so easy! Then I had a go. I started off with some fairly (?!) tight loops to begin with. My left hand turns are okay but to the right leave much to be desired. Did lots and lots left and right - gosh I was pooped.

I then tried it on Gary's bike, a 2 stroke KTM 200 and not dissimilar to mine. That was easier, all down to the weight I think and manoeuvrability.

Next, a few laps on Gary's bike and the ascents and descents again with some little turns at the bottom. Got some 'air' at one point, both wheels in the air over the top of a hill - what fun I thought afterwards. At the time, I was thinking I've used too much throttle and I'm on Gary's bike - eek! Then more slow riding loops and figures of eight.

Caroline, Gary's lovely wife, had said a few weeks ago that Gary was a very good and very patient teacher. She is absolutely right. Even when, on one descent I stood up a bit late at the top of the hill and then grabbed the throttle, so went down the hill mighty fast and nearly ran Gary over in the process! And I was riding his bike! Goodness! That got my heart going. Gary very calmly asked what I had done? Mr T, the girls and my great friend Wends who were all watching at the time, thought it was hilarious, the facial expressions were good apparently and Mr T has never seen Gary move so quick! Don' t think Gary thought it hilarious - not at the time anyway!

Slept like a baby last night, I was exhausted and fortunately my baby slept too!

So, more of the same today and by the end of June, there is a somewhat steep climb in the pit, that I need to have conquered! Mr T asked which bike I preferred, hmm , bit like comparing apples and pears. Can I take a 2 stroke and a 4 stroke to France?

Thanks Gary!

Cripes - it's all gone west!

This weekend, it all went pear-shaped big time!

We set off early on Saturday morning and I think it may have been in a North-Westerley direction - Gary drove and quite spectacularly squeezed 3 and 3/4 bikes (his son Joe, a stonkingly impressive rider has a 150CFR) into his van. Not a millimetre was un-utilised. I think Gary can do the packing when we head Pyrenees-wards.....there's hope for my make-up bag yet!!

It dawned on me fairly early on that the day was perhaps going to be 'a tricky one', shall we say! I was chatting to delightful Michele at Enduroland, whilst Mr T and I were making a general melee of paying - fortunately Gary was stashed up, Mr T and I evidently can't count!! Anyway, Michele dropped lightly into the conversation that everyone loved this 'one' as it was one of the best. I think it was at this point that I realised that if all these fabulously capable guys think this is great, as a beginner of variable confidence, my idea of 'best' and their idea of 'best' was for sure going to be at polar ends of said continuum!!

The Enduroland track for Novices and Newcomers and Kids & Dads at Chacombe was technical and challenging (from my perspective anyway) and it was only a small part of the main track!! Descents, ascents, loose surfaces, logs, little hillocks (that look surprising innocent, more of that later) with quite a few hairpin type turns with obstacles in the middle , trees, logs.....

Pretty much one magnificent mess up followed another all the way round! Whilst wanting to provide a bit of detail it's mostly a blur. I had such a meltdown in confidence and therefore had lost any clarity of thought and recently acquired knowledge - helpful when in charge of one's uber capable 200EXC GasGas! I knew cognitively from my work as an executive coach that it was the fight/ flight response (amygdala) part of the brain that had kicked in and therefore I needed some complex scenarios to consider to get me thinking properly again!

Lost count of how many spills I'd had - rolled down the hill several times! Forks out of alignment and had used one my hand guards as a shovel - on one of the many spills - could have planted a geranium in there!

Lunch laid on by Enduroland - with lots of sweet tea. Funny, I only have sugar in my tea when I've frightened myself on the bike!!

The next session went 'Pete Tong', I believe the expression is, entirely! It started okay then it all went downhill, pardon the pun, of course if I had been going down hill - on the bike more times than not, that would have be perfect! Dropped it, fell off and .... ditto ...ditto.....Finally after a turn with a lovely swooping camber in it (actually really liked that bit) followed by a little ridge coming through some trees, for one reason or another (accidental back brake I think), I stalled then dropped it, fell off and blubbed! First time I've actually blubbed since I've embarked on this challenge!

Girly tantrum followed thinking I never want to get on a motorbike ever, ever again! I couldn't pick the bike up - so I turned the fuel off and sat on it, I thought, at least I can admire the view - well the middle of a small clearing anyway. I then heard the kids and Dads on their second event, well that sealed it - there was absolutely no way that I was going to venture out on to the track with them on it, that would be hairy. At one point, I did chuckle, as from where I was sitting on upturned bike - it sounded like I was in the middle of a beehive full of very angry bees(on two and four strokes obviously!!)! In the face of adversity gotta laugh.........

I figured that at some point Mr T , Gary or Joe would notice that I'd vanished and I also knew that a marshall would be along soon.

A chap swept up to me and asked if I was okay which was very kind. As I'd been blubbing I decided to keep my helmet on and sort of hide in it.

Barry from Enduroland then appeared on a quad, he was incredibly patient and kind, realising that at that particular moment I would quite like to abandon the bike and the clearing and wander off sort of Reggie Perrin styley. He very calmly said, some days are like that, draw a line under it and tomorrow's another day. I think I may have said that my bike would be on eBay that evening. It wasn't and I did get on it again, rode over a few taped out areas and escorted by Rob, I went back to the pits!

Rob, as ever, and Tony were hugely supportive and encouraging - goodness I've a long way to go to the Pyrenees. Tony made me laugh, shortly after my meltdown. He suggested that as I liked the bowl with the camber and the loose log so much, perhaps next time they could set one up for me like a mini speedway and throw in a sandwich and a cup of tea every now and then......now there's a thought!

Gary's son Joe's bike skills are superb, so inspiring and impressive! I know absolutely where I'm headed just struggling with the achieving it bit! Mr T had a top day and felt a lot more confident that he ever has, off-road. (One down, one to go!) Gary is always an inspiration and does keep the pressure on, spills happen to the best of them too! When I say spill, it was more of a launch! He hit one of the aforementioned grassy hillocks at speed; front of bike reared up, as it were, then the back did - he and bike parted company and landed twenty feet away from the bike! Oop - fortunately no damage done - bit of bruising and easily fixed wonky forks! It transpired later that the red mist may have descended and the speed at which he hit said hillock was because he was trying to catch up with his son (year 6)!? Teehee.....

The Enduroland gallery pictures were up yesterday and I took a look at them - see attached of Mr T, Gary and Joe. Alas, not one of me .... perhaps it was all just a bad dream. Though the sheep dung that I found wedged in my clutch lever is testament to that not being the case!

So.....the next day. If at first you don't succeed......

We loaded the bikes up and went to an old gravel pit where I mastered going down and up steep hills 'in control', lots and lots and lots and lots of times! On the pegs, at walking pace, using the engine, using the brakes - properly! Even lost the back end at one point but brought it back. Hurrah, yippee! Now, if I'd mastered that on Friday, my mess up at Enduroland might not have been quite so mighty. Hindsight and all that....

But hey as they say, it takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow!

Then this morning we got a massive donation in for Great Ormond Street Hospital which is awesome and what this whole thing is about - raising as much money as possible for children, sick, vulnerable and in need.

Thanks Enduroland; Nigel, Michele, Tony, Rob, Barry and of course Mr T, Gary and Joe!

Does my head look big in this?

It would appear that my helmet doesn't fit - too big - and goodness - too heavy! Martin (Wittering of Torque Racing) measured my head yesterday - he used to fit them for Arai and it would appear that my lovely helmet is perfect.............for someone else!!

So, had a look at some other helmets and mine weighs 300g shy of 2kilos - no wonder I've had compression in my neck and shoulder and back ache to boot!! So getting a new helmet - pink seems to be a problem, found some nice ones with pictures of glamorous (one word?!) women on them - that's not quite what I'm after! So, a new white one (good for sponsor graphics?!) is on the way and it weighs 950g - excited? Very!

Went out this afternoon - on my own - with Mr T's helmet. Bit of roadwork, through the villages then via Ashwell and a track I hadn't been along before.

Came across some ruts which were huge yet wide however I was on the other side of the track. So I slowed down and had a ponder....I could throttle across to them or stay where I was, where the ruts were narrower for sure though there was also a rather deep bit which Gary probably would have jumped, however I'm not Gary and he wasn't with me for tip dispensing! I stayed my course, as it happened the ditchy type bit, could have been a spill and get stuck possibility. So, at the last minute I swept onto the grassy edge which was a bit narrow, a wee wobble ensued, but Mr T and I had been chatting about using the pegs and your weight to move the bike, over lunch (as you do), and with that thought in mind, bit of right peg, good dollop of throttle and voila! Then another lot of ruts appeared - I enjoyed them - there's progress!!! I even turned to check behind me, for well anything really; horses, dogs, people - nobody around! That's the first time I've done that - looked behind whilst standing up that is - I usually sit down first!

Rest of my outing was fabulous. I then came to the track where due to Mr T, Gary and Donna's antics, I invariably end up at the back in a cloud of dust and grit - yummy, euughh! Not today! There's a lovely little hump in the middle which the gang often jump, I didn't jump it exactly but whatever it was I did made me grin - tee hee - didn't swallow or ingest any grit either!!

In Mr T's light helmet, could hear when there's a car behind too- very good news however also another noise from the bike which I've not heard before - is that because I couldn't before or it wasn't?! Mr T thinks the latter - chain's chattering - hmm....

Date for your diary; on the 15th June we'll be at the Royston & District Motorcycle Club Motorcycle Show, Meldreth Manor School, SG8 6LG at 6.30pm. I'll be on the TorqueRacing Stand with the bike - that'll be a first for me. How exciting! Very exciting! We've donated a moto-cross shirt to the raffle, last year the event raised over £13500 for local charities - how brilliant is that. Look forward to seeing you there......

Now if I've been carrying 450g less on my head (as it were), my make-up bag weighs much less than that, I might squeeze it in yet!!

On a final note, if any of you bikers out there have got back problems, get some-one to have a look at your helmet....... can I write that .....it's not that sort of that blog?!??!

Helmets, lip gloss and metal putty........

Well, what a lot I've learnt today. Have organised a number of longer trips, trail rides and some more frightening (sorry challenging & exciting) stuff at Enduroland and Martin has arranged a very long day or so ride in Wales - he mentioned camping too, I chose to ignore that last bit for the time being. Off road and sleeping in a tent I think would finish me off completely!

At the weekend, my back seized up rather, not sure why, might also have contributed to why I couldn't see behind me very well... ?!??! Anyway, I went to see Cindy McIntyre, a brilliant osteopath at The Letchworth Osteopathic & Sports Injury Clinic - well what a difference. It would appear that nerves and anxiety contributing to my shoulders being somewhere near my ears when I'm riding have caused the tension in my neck and shoulders, probably compounded by my helmet which whilst a great helmet, designed more for the road and much heavier than those designed for off-road. A bit of compression going on....... Thanks Cindy for freeing me up immensely! I thought I needed a new helmet - now I know for sure. I wonder if I can get a pink one - have a dearth of pink on my bike........so far!

For those of you, that followed the early blog, you'll know that I have 'form' as it were with radiators - having broken one fairly early on in an expedition with OTT in the Peaks last year. An admittance, I have started reading the bike press again, I stopped a few months ago I was seriously wondering if I'd bitten off more than I could chew (still wonder that but not nearly so often). Along with being seriously impressed and inspired by the riders and the stories, one also picks up some handy tips along the way. I discovered earlier this week that some special stuff called metal putty exists - for radiator incidents - how cool is that. Of course, I hope not to need it, however having been a girl guide 'be prepared' is the motto. I'm beginning to think about what one needs to carry, water, camera, smartphone for sending stuff to the blog and FB, make-up, lipgloss, SPFs..... However now being a tiny more savvy maybe there won't be room for my make-up bag(eeek) Looks like there'll be a little bag for special spanners, metal putty, cable ties (!) for bits that might fall off and of course there's bound to be a tiny space for a lipgloss - isn't there!!

Donna returned from a trip with Chris Evans a few days back to Lorien Bois , a really challenging trip - we'll hear about it on Friday. Was chatting with Gary yesterday and he said 'we'll do that next year'. Positive psychology is a brilliant thing.......it did get me thinking. Maybe just maybe.......

PS. the picture isn't post spill - honest- just a little rest & enjoyment of the view......