Dirt school!

Martin (Wittering) of Torque Racing made a comment last week, 'time in the saddle, Kate!'.

So, I've been doing exactly that - got hilariously wet today too. Every single thing that I was wearing was soaked - yeuk! Fun though, made a decision to avoid the chalky slopes however, on balance I think the grass was just as slippery. Mr T, the girls and our pooch, all got soaked too. One of those, right in the middle of nowhere moments when the heavens opened - so thanks to all the family for not only accompanying me on my practice but getting soaked graciously too! Good excuse for cake and hot chocolate when we got back home though.

Our cat was sensibly curled up on a chair!

Having looked at potential training days, summer holidays, the girls activities, professional commitments et al , I thought hmm... better take this in hand.

In light of Martin's comments I have booked myself into 'dirt school' for some serious time in the saddle and some tuition and learning along the way. Along with a few trail days.....

Whilst I was coming down the chalky ascent I was pondering a conversation that I'd had (at work) earlier in the week. Positive psychology is a very powerful thing and mastering one's confidence in a given scenario equally, however not to be at the expense of mastering skills and capability!

So, school it is, albeit of the off-road variety and some outings with Mr T.

Another boost today with another donation to GOSH, thank you! It's what this is all really about; raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital and KidsCo, charities that do so much to try to make the world a better place for children.

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......

Positive Psychology!

This afternoon's practice was wet and very muddy though fortunately not cold. I went out on my own (first time!), I usually need a back up (husband) for when I can't kick start, drop it....can't find neutral....!

I was a bit concerned, as living in a part of Cambridgeshire that has rather a lot of clay, when it rains the mud on the top develops a mind of it's own - to my mind anyway.

However, just this morning I had received an email from John Kettley, as mentioned in previous post, which said "going out in the wet always puts a smile on my face as it's the most fun''......goodness, fun wasn't an adjective that was currently anywhere near my thought process.

There was an extremely muddy bit of track that a number of tractors had also been over so a bit carved up, rutty, muddy.....argghh.......smile and fun. Do you know what - it was! Didn't drop it or fall off or stall.....well, just the once.

On the way back through the village I also had the added bonus of seeing some girlfriends who grinned and waved!