Sunday 5th June

Onboard the Raleigh again this morning for a 06.45 start and I was heading to the Civic Hall, Blackshots Lane, Grays for the annual Thurrock Cycle Marathon. But I wasn`t taking part myself, just going along to meet up with club mates I`ve not seen for awhile. It was a warm and overcast morning and for some reason I was wearing arm-warmers and tudor longs! I took a slow lazy ride along Fen Lane to Bulphan and into Church Lane to see the fly tippers have been busy again! Such a shame as this is a lovely lane to cycle along. Onwards to Orsett and those lovely potholes to Baker Street Windmill, then onto Stiffrod Clays Road to reach Civic Hall a little after 8am. The Gateway CC were just starting to put up their information stand so I did my bit of supervising, well it got me out of work!
I was rather glad I had the arm warmers & tudor longs on as it felt cold standing around for riders to set off on their ride. First to arrive back was the 7 mile riders, so myself and David Fish were kept busy handing out Gateway CC info sheets and chatting to riders even the sun came out too. Once the 21 & 42 mile riders came back we were really busy!
After saying my goodbyes I headed for home retacing my route out, but those arm warmer were now off and bare arms were now catching the hot sun,only wish I wasn`t wearing those tudor longs! The climb up to North Ockendon in Fen Lane had me beat and so I had to walk up! I then decide to get a few extra miles in by taking a longer route via Ockendon Road, Pea Lane and Dennis Lane to reach home by 2pm with 26 miles done.

 Some of the riders getting ready for their ride either 7, 21 or 42 miles.

The Gateway CC team with the information stand

Saturday 7th May

After my early morning exercise routine I decide to give that old exercise bike a rest and take out the Raleigh for a spin instead. So after a few laps around the empty commuter carpark for a wobbly or two moment, I was back on the road again by 06.20. With hardly any traffic about I made my way along Dennise Lane to Pea Lane to reach Pike Lane and the Thames Chase Forest Centre. As the gate was open I had a ride around and had the place to myself. Some changes since I was last here, more carparking, a new bird hive beside the pond, and more outdoor seating around the Visitors Centre/Cafe. Will have to come back another day to explore more and when the cafe is open too.
I retrace my route back to reach home at around 07.30 with just 9 miles done, but it was good to be back in the saddle again.

The Raleigh outside The Vistitors Centre/Cafe with it new seating area

Update number five

I really expected to be back cycling again in April but I`ve been a wee bit unwell at times this month, this had nothing to do with my injuries. In fact my shoulder & heel are doing fine at the moment and I`ve now stopped taking those painkillers altogether now. Though I may occasionally have an Ouch or Scream moment!
Had to stop my daily exercise routine a few times when I was unwell, but since October 2015 the exercise bike has clocked-up 3,100 miles. Shame I can`t put that in My Cycle Log!
Still having to use the walking stick on my longer walks.

Update number four

Still no cycling for me but feeling so much better these days. My shoulder and heel will never be right and will always have some stiffness in them. Also been told I`m at 100% risk of getting arthrits in them when I get older, thought I was already old?
Occasionally pain in my shoulder just reminds me that I can`t do some of the things I used to do! My heel has more of an ache than pain, and I`m walking much more without the aid of that stick, but on longer walks I still need it.
Daily exercise program going well plus I`m still spinning my legs on that exercise bike clocking up 1,500 miles so far.

Happy and Safe Cycling in 2016 to all my readers