Cycling at Aldi

Bike Radar have already mentioned this but I have just been to Aldi to pick up some cycling clothes at stupid prices. I’ve missed these sales twice before.

Now Aldi and Lidl have their critics, some say the equipment is “crap.” Of course, Bradley Wiggins is hardly going to pop down to either shop and pick up a pair of shorts, but then again he doesn’t have to. The great thing about these outlets (and Tesco to a lesser extent) is that they make this gear accessible to those that wouldn’t normally go into a bike shop.

I picked up 2 pairs of shorts, 1 top, 2 pairs socks, 3 pairs of gloves for £32 – last year I bought a pair of shorts for £20 in a well known cycling chain store – you work it out and on close inspection between the shorts I got in Aldi and those last year, they look incredibly similar, right down to the coolmax insert and grips on the legs.

Only a couple of months ago I picked up a pair of cycling shoes in Lidl for £14. I cycle a fair bit but didn’t want to spend £40 or £50 on a pair of shoes plus whatever for new pedals. I have to say I’m really pleased with them.

Fine, if you want to stick to your Specialized gear at 4 times the price, good luck to you. For the masses this represents a real bargin and a way to get people back on bikes and out of cars.

Looking into the black hole

When standing on the edge of a black hole it is so tempting to jump in, even if you really don’t want to.

It seems the more you try to get out the harder it sucks you down. People talk about rational thinking and positive state of mind, how can you have these when the forces pulling are so strong and seemingly out of your hands.

The silent scream inside your head is so deafening, anything positive is hard to find or recognise even when it is found. It isn’t that you look at the bad side of things, there just isn’t any good side. Breathing is a chore.

I’d scream out loud if I could, but where is the energy? It’s only there to self destruct, just to see what would happen because the way things are they are just too painful. That is no reflection on my family – my wife and kid(s) are what I live for, what gives me the strength to get up each day.

Another interview

It is odd how a decision to do something ripples out in time to other events.  When as a family we went to Move it in the Manor and ended up one the cover of Sutton Scene and in The Times.

Today I’m being interviewed again for a newspaper about the Sutton Smarter Travel scheme.  From The Times to the guardian.. well actually this time it is the Sutton Guardian.  Spoke to the guy last week how tried to contact me while I was on holiday. He is also a travel writer so I’ll be asking him if he has any jobs too.  Sounds aright character so looking forward to that after lunch.

I don’t think we shall be going outside for any photos (may be we will) because the wind is blowing like a typhoon out there this morning.

We’re in the Sutton Scene

Ping went to a friends house the other day and saw a copy of our local free magazine, Sutton Scene… we are on the cover!  The picture was taken at this years Move it at the manor event.

It is a shame about Phoebe, she is usually really happy but for whatever reason the photographer managed to take the most miserable picture of her I have ever seen.

There is a larger version of this.. if you dare.

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Bike to work – in the wind

This morning was something else, considering it is still August.  I thought the weather people had got it wrong or I was suddenly in Mexico with such strong gusts of wind.

The Carradice stood up well to the job and allowed me to get more stuff in and also get at things like my coat when the rain started coming down.  Still at least I’m warmer than everyone else that came in this morning saying how cold they were.. sweat still pouring down my face after a shower.

Hopefully it will still be windy going home but this time it will be behind me.

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Going by bike

We finanlly got round to buying a couple of bikes, I wonder if jet skis would have been better in the weather right now.

Unless you do cycle you don’t realise how dangerous everything is.  I think I last cycled in about 1988 when I used to go to work in Wellingborough.  Now riding round Sutton it is a different matter.. more traffic, faster and less space.  I can certainly see why people don’t bother getting a bike – the streets aren’t that friendly.

The cycle network is good to know.  But they do have a habit of starting nowhere and ending nowhere.

When we were in Osaka cyclists had pretty much the run of the place, they can go on the roads but even better they can go on the pavement and have right of way, which means more people cycle and fewer people drive.

Thinking back to when I was 18 wanting my own car, until recently I’ve been wanting a bike.  Rather odd.

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and then something went pop!

saturday morning I had just about had enough of the tonsillitis, it was getting more painful as one side of my throat got ever bigger.  I got up and made breakfast and was sitting, trying to read nursery rhymes to my daughter then got up for the thrid cup of tea (as that seemed to be soothing it somewhat.)

As I switched the kettle on there was a strange feeling in my neck, a release of pressure and a rather vile but glorious taste… whatever it was that was holding back the wall of pus had burst and the pain was gone (more or less).  I was so happy… the taste and smell from my mouth totally foul but the joy and relief was unbelievable.

I’d just spent the last 5 days sweating for England in bed, hardly eaten a thing and it was pretty much all over. the headaches, the earache, the constant stabbing in my throat, the endless waiting for the next batch of pain killers and the lump under my chin was getting smaller.

I was so excited on Saturday morning I went out looking at bikes instead of going to the hospital to plead they stab something in my neck to relieve the pressure.  However, I realised by 12 that I still wasn’t 100% as I collapsed in a sweaty, tired but happy heap on the bed.

I’ve never had tonsillitis like this before and hope I never do.

Tonsillitis

yes I have tonsillitis.  one very swollen neck and throat.

was at hospital until 12:30 last night, and it wasn’t even that busy.

stayed in bed today and watched just about everything on 4 On Demand (on-line)