Carpe diem....

Seize the day!

Taken a slightly different route with the blog today. Inspired by the words on this poster......

Pondering going out of a comfort zone, thinking about the aged expression 'you'll never know what you can do, if you always do what you've always done' .....all around whether I need a new bike with less than a month to go.....I've made a decision.

The GasGas still intimidates me slightly, however, in my work as an executive coach, I know that a few well chosen words have the power to inspire, enable and ignite that extra little spark that is often the turning point between succeeding or not. Equally, a few poorly chosen words can serve to undermine, discourage or completely extinguish that little spark in some-one that makes the difference.

It's ultimately about how we feel and using our drive and ambition to strive to greatness, mindful of those few well chosen words to help us on our way.

I've been so privileged along this journey to have been given a few well chosen words by a number of wonderful people and I thank you all so much for those (the less well-chosen, I'm choosing to park!). Simon Pavey & Chris Evans have said that they believe I can undertake this off-road challenge on the GasGas - and Simon Pavey has observed me on a bike, first hand, so know's exactly where I'm at - it wasn't a particularly good sight a month or so back either! Thanks to his tuition it's prettier now!

So 'seizing the day (by the cojones - as lovely mate added earlier today(!)) - I'm using the courage and guts definition.?!. ... that's where I'm at and tomorrow I'm going offroad for the day on the GasGas to an enduro track with Donna and a photographer will be there too.....?!:

Are you seizing your day?

On the opposite side of the hill...

Still in the mountains of Northern Tuscany. Friend's lovely son, Sam, has now 'at last', commented mate Becky, got me on Facebook - inspired by Billy Bike Truck and Charley Boorman ( http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/biketruck & http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charley-Boorman/13049939150 ) chatting about the challenge and fundraising on Facebook! My facebook page is basic basic at the moment .....so watch this space.

On the other side of the hill, Mr T and I have spotted some superb trails and rides up in the hills and mountains - just awesomely fantastic scenery and terrain. Earlier today, we were all sitting in the village watching the world go by over machiato, cappucino - as you do - ... and about six KTMs and a couple of Hondas went along the road in front of us. I was so envious (wouldn't have been some six months ago!!)and wanted to join them, which would have been tops with Mr T, and eight year old would have been very keen, especially with her CRF70 however not sure if 2 year old in a backpack would be a good plan (it's okay only joking!). Next time we might just bring the bikes with us. Just need to be aware of the wild boar! Eeek! Porcupines too and therefore the mousses might well be required (of the rubber variety as opposed to chocolate - for those non-bikey of you, it's a special squishy thing instead of an inner tube that stops one getting punctures!). Haven't spotted a GasGas yet!

Loving Italy, the vibrant green of the trees, the passion of the people, the blue of the sky.......so apologies for the black and white of the blog over the last few days. Stylish as black and white is, I need to up my game from a technology perspective and get the clips and photos onto the blog when without laptop. Looks like some visits to The Gadget Show and taking some of Suzi Perry's advice.

Whilst friends were out (whose gorgeous house we're staying in), one did succeed in directing the Italian bathroom fitters not only to the house but also an understanding of why one of the newly fitted showers was leaking. Well....... if I'm honest the younger and rather aesthetically pleasing of the two.......did speak English.....

'Decals' aren't something with which to descale the kettle!

What a learning experience the last few days has been!

Aside from everything aching that can ache - not sure that a fluffy cushion strapped to my GasGas would be that cool not to mention safe! Would be more comfy though. For those of you reading with heaps of Enduro and Off-road experience - yes I know - I should be standing up!

Met a lovely guy at the weekend, he in fact came to give us a quote on a kitchen extension but that's another story. John Kettley is a top sales trainer and also an experienced off-road and enduro rider. When he arrived I had just stalled the bike in the drive - a regular occurence!

Turns out John knows lots of people in the know and has been extremely kind in making introductions.

We have our first donation come in, which is fantastic and also our first 'corporate' (if that is the right term) sponsor is Special Little People (www.speciallittlepeople.co.uk) - a great little company that produces wonderful aromatherapy oils to help all sorts of niggles for children. I might put some of the oil to help with anxiety on the inside of my helmet !

This is where the 'decals' come in. In return for a charity donation we will put logos on helmets and/or bikes and some PR. It transpires that decals are not something with which to descale the kettle but the 'stickers' on your bike or helmet with said logo or image on - helmet ones are apparently a bit more tricky. Learning lots this week and the 'jargon' is evidently yet to come....

Practice this week has involved a little tiny bit of expleting, lots of hurting - well aching and nearly (!) crying -don't do that very often - so experience tells me I'm learning.........and still have a lot to learn........

Looks like this afternoon's session will be in the rain! Arghhhh!

Two stroke tale.....

My little GasGas has been in the garage for a while of late and therefore my training has 'stalled' somewhat. Been riding my 'one horse-power' Buns - a 17hh thoroughbred = around the countryside instead - causing as many aches as riding the bike. Having gorgeous little one and eight year olds on the scene means that I'm riding about once every few weeks or so for about three hours. Horse riding uses muscles that aren't generally used at other times and therefore I have turned up at clients with a slightly 'John Wayne' styley walk - possibly not the best look but hey ho. Nothing better than a long canter on a stubble field (permission sought!!).

Back to my trusty yellow GasGas - I thought my somewhat incompetent riding had 'konked' the gear box. Discovered a few weeks back that the engine had seized (Oop - expensive was my first thought) and whilst I'm a girl that is always up for a challenge - not being able to start the engine does have its limitations!!! Back to posing in my new gear but no going anywhere anytime soon!

Turns out a small bolt had vibrated loose and lodged in the crank shaft (ooo matron) and therefore jammed it! So, miraculously no major damage was done! Lovely mate Gary pulled the offending bolt out and checked my bottom end apparently, and gave it the thumbs up! So, whilst my engine is in bits - I'm having a shiny new piston put in and might even have a bit more power to get into trouble with to boot.....

Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life!

Way hey…….I didn’t think I’d get the opportunity to talk about footwear on my enduro blog!

I bought a pair of AlpineStars a few weeks back, Tech 7’s and felt somewhat like Darth Vader in them - not you understand - that I know what he feels like - but that’s how I felt - I have been riding in my riding(of the horse variety) boots. The Tech 7’s have been sitting in my hall for a few weeks - sort of taunting me. I was a bit concerned that stalling being a regular occurrence and going up and down the gear box in what felt like, stiff, heavy, cumbersome boots – would render my somewhat slow progress several steps forward and several more back!

How wrong a girl could be!

I kick started first time – couldn’t feel the pedal beneath my foot so just kicked away. Gear changing was fine - dare I say easy…… Enduro boots are designed for standing up on the pegs - so that was easier too! In fact ‘sitting’ on the GasGas in my new boots felt rather odd – bit like riding a horse with one’s stirrups too short - knees up around the chin styley! Whereas - stand up - well felt different again, I’m almost changing gear with-out thinking!

So, with my new found confidence in my new boots and in the glorious sunshine, I picked up a bit of speed and had a great time on a byway over the rough terrain a few dips and soft grass. I even got to grips with the hard ruts. Gave the bike a bit of throttle , let it do it’s stuff and had some fun. Riding in the ruts, on the ruts, across the ruts. Given that four weeks ago I seriously avoided anything that even remotely resembled a rut or indeed rough ground – progress indeed!

Also, proves that the right footwear for the occasion is unquestionably the way to go! Louboutin here I come!