Two years? Where did that go?

 

I’m getting to the point of closing the blog. If anyone does actually read this, you might have noticed the gaps between posts has become wider. Hence if nobody responds to this post, I’m closing. Please feel free to be negative – at least it’s a response!

It has been a chaotic two years. We lost Pam’s mum, that was traumatic. I fell out with my training partner, but I’m not going to talk ill of the dead. He was found dead at the side of the road on a Spanish Island, then we lost Mr Michael. That was sudden and highly unexpected. He might have been in his 80s but could still cock his leg over a saddle and peddle over the New Works climb. I just hope he gains forgiveness for his Potboiler Poetry – Jane Austin meets Duran-Duran was too surreal for most tastes.

There has been success in Dawley Park! We have established a Cycling UK group and held several rides over the summer. It looks like people were just waiting for it to happen. We have moved away from trying to recruit absolute beginners that the bike revival was trying to inspire. Our regulars are more cyclists who are looking for a social ride, without having to join the local racing club.

I’ve also taken my Focus bike out to Spain. The roads are fantastic and the climbs inspiring. There is always a good view, and most villages serve ice cold beer. The local cyclists are friendly and do acknowledge someone going the other way.

The only issue has been brakes. Descending mountain hairpins on rim brakes can be intimidating, after being used to disc brakes. Sometimes the bridges over the Barrancas are old (ancient) and don’t match the camber of the road. The back road into Enix proved the point - a concrete road level by caterpillar tracks. At the bottom lay an oddly angled bridge on a hairpin. A must make bend. The barranca isn’t steep at this point, it does has a reed bed there to absorb overflow from the village sewage plant. Talk about landing in the shit? Luckily, I made the turn, only to puncture on the ascent out – due to the concrete ripple that had been created using a plank.

Most Sunday rides ended with me meeting Pam in our local bar for beer and tapas. What could be better? The quality of food in local Spanish bars far exceeds what is being presented as fine dinning in the UK. Why did we ever leave the EU? Anyone who voted for it should be force fed onions and tripe for the rest of their days. Then they may understand the quality of life in Europe.

On the diabetes front, things are looking more positive. I have paid to see a very forward-looking consultant. I believe in the NHS, but there are times when the guidelines offered by NICE just don’t work. Then there is no choice but to look elsewhere.

The latest battle is with the receptionist from hell. I asked for a new blood test before a review with Nursey. The last one was in August, and my blood glucose levels have changed significantly. The aggression was unbelievable; she seemed to believe that out of date information would be fine to base for a new treatment plan on. The woman really does need an attitude adjustment. Her sole purpose appears to be preventing patients accessing services. I have even seen her turn away a mother with a child gasping for breath, that was an obvious medical emergency. The mother was told to go to the pharmacy or A&E, if she was that concerned.

Anyway, Nursey awaits. So do new adventures in the saddle.

Just a quick mention of the gear I have been using. I don't get paid for this - honest.

Shutt Velo Rapide - their summer gear has been excellent. Without this I could have quickly been a boil in the bag case. It really does tap the moisture away. It cools and dries quickly.

https://www.shuttvr.com/

Spiuk helmets -I was going to trust my helmet to baggage handlers. So I purchased a new one in Spain. It has been a few years since buying a helmet, and I was amazed by the lack of weight and ventilation in these helmets. Only 50 Euros, a helmet of similar quality would have cost much more in the UK.

https://spiuk.com/en/

None of this could have happened without the bike shops.

Plush Hill Cycles - Without their attention to detail in packing the bike, it may not have survived the journey.

https://www.plushhillcycles.co.uk/

Bicicletas KM 0

The local bike shop in Aguadulce. Sold me the helmet, gels (for emergencies), hydration tablets and new inner tubes. Thank you for putting up with my attempts at Spanish.

https://www.bicicletaskm0.com/