Day 2

Tuesday 17th November 2009

Time to target date: 257 days

Another great day! Really getting into this healthy stuff quite easily.

My day started late (12.30) again today (I really have to start going to bed earlier) so I missed breakfast once more. Woke myself up with my first pint of water of the day. Currently sipping away at my 6th pint. Thankfully, the pissing isn't as bad today!

I eventually got myself dressed and made lunch. I had tomato pasta with a salad and coleslaw. Washed it down with an apple and a banana.

After lunch, I decided to take a look at the bike. I thought that it was locked to the railings so was looking all over for the key. I couldn't find it anywhere! Eventually, after about 30 mins of hunting, I went outside to the bike and noticed that it wasn't actually locked to the railings at all! I felt a complete tit.

Like I said yesterday, it has been sat on my balcony for about 2 years without being moved. Surprisingly, it was in a decent enough condition. It was a little rusty in places and needed a good wash but apart from that, appeared fine.

whilst it was drying, I went on the computer and plotted a route. I had planned to ride down to the beach, ride along it for a while and then go back home. Trip length was 5.5 miles, a nice length to get me into it I felt.

I managed to get the bike downstairs (climbing over the washing line that my house mate had put across the balcony. It was like a challenge in the Crystal Maze!) and was about to go out for my ride when I realised that the tyres didn't have much air in thm. Damn. I couldn't find my pump. I went over to 2 neighbours houses to see if I could borrow one but they weren't in. I ended up going to Halfords and buying one. They charged me £20 for a pissing pump! I couldn't believe it...oh well.

I finally got the tyres sorted and went out. It's true what they say - You never forget how to ride a bike. It's the first time in about 3 years. It felt really good to be out on it. The only bad thing was that the seat was awful! The most uncomfortable seat I have sat on in my life. It was all going well until i got out of the street and tried to change the gear. It just wouldn't change any higher than 8th gear (it has 21 in total). That resulted in me peddling like a bandit to try and get the bike to move at a reasonable speed. I was knackered! I realised that doing the entire 5.5 miles was not going to happen, so just ended up covering 2 miles instead. I was quite disappointed that I had to cut it short but I think I made the right decision. My legs would have flown off otherwise!

I have a feeling that the gear mechanism has just seized up because it has been sat for so long not doing anything. I'm going to try some WD40 on it in the morning to see if that helps. Fingers crossed!

When I got back home and had some water and a bit of a rest, I cooked dinner. I was going to cook a chicken dauphinoise but forget to get stuff in to make the sauce and couldn't be arsed to go to the shop. In the end, I just made chicken with potato slices and a salad. It was very yummy!

I then sat and watched a bit of TV. I was still disappointed that I didn't manage to do the full bike ride so decided to go out for my walk to make up for it. Managed to do the 1 mile walk in 18 mins tonight, 3 minutes quicker than last night. Really enjoyed it again. My legs started to hurt half way round but I stuck at it and kept going so was really proud of myself for doing so. I could have turned back or taken a short cut, but I didn't. I think I'm going to try and do the bike ride and the walk each day. Will see how I feel once I manage to do the full bike ride!

When I got home from the walk, I had more water and another banana and apple. I can't understand why people don't eat fruit and veg. I have been neglecting it for years. It's really nice!

Things are going really great so far, I'm really chuffed. Hopefully, I can get the gears on the bike working. Would be a shame if not...

See you tomorrow ;)