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

Update number three

Still no cycling for me yet though I`m now spinning the old legs each day on an exercise bike, which my neighbour was just about to throw out! It in very good condition too, so I suppose it was just one of those lets get fit moments and then found it hard-work!
Finished with Physio at Hospital, but of course still doing a personal exercise program everyday to keep shoulder and heel moving. Still taking painkillers especially for the shoulder which is very painful at times, and still using a walking stick to get about on.
My accident claim as now been settled thanks to the CTC Slater & Gordon, and a nice cheque is now in my Bank. But of course money can never replace the amount of time I`ve lost cycling in my Essex lanes!
Hope (keeping my fingers cross here) to be back cycling again in Spring 2016.

 Here`s the exercise bike and so far I`ve done 200 miles on it in three weeks.

Update number two

It`s now 45 weeks today that I was knocked off the bike and I`m still unable to returned to my cycling yet. Things are getting better slowly, now walking with the aid of a walking stick, and having Physio fortnightly at Thurrock Hospital. Shoulder still painful at times and have been referred back to my consultant by the  Physio, so having to wait for an appointment now.
The motorist that didn`t see me on that roundabout was in court in June and she got 6 points and a fine!

Update

It`s now 33 weeks today that I was knocked off the bike at a local roundabout, and I`m still unable to cycle due to my injuries. Which makes it the longest period that I`ve ever gone without cycling in 35 years! My recovery is still progressing slowly with lots of exercises and daily short walks with the aid of one elbow crutch.
The motorist that didn`t see me that morning was in court last month and pleaded guilty to `driving without due care and consideration` the case was adjourned to June.
My bike has been checked out at my local Cycle Shop and is all okay, but I don`t know when I will be back cycling but I will be back!