Lack of Opportunity

 Weather Scuppers Plans

I have a training plan I am trying to follow which has recently consisted of no riding. Mostly due to wind, with a little torrential rain and ice thrown in for fun.

Instead of getting out to ride I have been picking things up and putting them down again. Or as my fitness app calls it - strength training. A workout on Tuesday, focusing on shoulders and arms - so often neglected by cyclists - left me feeling pleasantly tired when I went to bed. By the following morning (New Year's Day) I couldn't actually raise my arms much past 45°. Maybe not too much of a problem but I was working on January 1st, and trying to lift trays of cups, or even put some coffee beans into the machines required more focus and commitment than lifting the dumbbells in the first place. 

This morning, January 2nd (no work, huzzah!) was icy - with low sun. I wasn't risking a ride so off I went to Sainsbury's. I like to make this trip occasionally to remind myself why shopping local is preferable to shopping big. It was even more soulless than I had expected, littered with little irritations that seem carefully placed to make the experience as unpleasant as possible. 

I don't want to turn this into a MoanBlog so I won't go into details. 

Next week the council are coming to take away some ancient mattresses that have been stored in the old workshop. Once these are gone the workshop can be transformed into the Pain Cave and the turbo trainer can come out of the box it's been in since we moved and I can ride regardless of the flood levels. Then I can get back on plan and start exhausting my legs instead of my arms. Can't wait, I'll be insufferable at work because I will tell anybody who shows even a passing interest all about my bike set ups or training routine, or pre/post/during workout snacks. Mostly the snacks bit. I like snacks. 

The old Pain Cave:

This bike is currently crying from lack of use, 

it has hoped winter would see it some love but I haven't been able to set up the turbo yet.