Whoosh and there goes February

February is such a weird month - the weather's unpredictable but the days are definitely getting longer.

The distance challenge is going well with Your Mile Challenge - I'm only 5k short of cracking 200km out of my 1000 in 2019.  I think I can honestly say I've never done so many miles during February.  This has mainly been helped by the fact I've managed 3 cycle commutes this month.    I'm struggling with getting to the gym to do miles on the static bike so it's good that I've been able to get outside.   I've not been to spin for a couple of weeks either.

The weather has been mostly great this month - and on one cycle to work I managed to get to the Undercliff to see the sunrise.

There's nothing like a lovely sunrise to make the ride more enjoyable.

I've made a couple of purchases over the last couple of weeks - two from Velochampion who are fast becoming my go to for kit.

The first was a very fetching luminous yellow gilet

photo from VC site (not me!)

This gilet is going to be very useful later when the weather warms up and I don't need my rain jacket. 
The second purchase from Velochampion was a hi viz back pack cover.   I already feel safer with this over my back pack

Photo from VC site

I also bought some more lights, cos a girl can never have too many lights!

I also bought some Merino Wool socks from Wiggle.   They look great but they have made absolutely no difference to the temperature of my feet.   Guess I'm going to have to put up with cold feet on winter rides or resort to tin foil.   

The house move is still ongoing - just waiting for some paperwork to be signed off with the house we're buying and hopefully we can complete ready for Easter.  At least we have another month before that deadline arrives!

January - the longest month in the whole year!

I had a "halfway through January" post partly drafted but I just couldn't find the words to finish it off, so it's binned and I've started again.

The end of January has seen the finish of RED January.  I've tried to stay active every day - that has included spin and core classes, a couple of cycling to work and walking Archie.  Shaun has worked a few very early morning shifts so January has also seen the return of pre-work walks.  I'm useless at getting up in the morning at the moment so it hasn't been easy but it has been a joy not a chore.   I've managed my first "in the dark" cycle to work - I'm now perfecting the lighting of me and the bike.  It's also been quite cold too so perfecting the layering has been interesting.  

It has proved to me that I am actually quite active anyway but it has made me think about what I get out of each activity I take part in.   Dog walks with Archie are quiet, calm time and appreciating my surroundings.   Spin & exercise classes are social and full on fitness.   I haven't quite worked out how cycling impacts my well being - I'm still finding myself asking what the hell am I doing this for! I do mostly enjoy it otherwise I wouldn't do it.  Cycling to and from work does mean that I get some exercise in without it impacting on the rest of the day.  Going to the gym doesn't bring me joy and although I've planned gym sessions they've rarely come off 

The moving situation hasn't changed, we're still waiting.  Fingers crossed we exchange soon then we can start planning the move.   It looks like it's not going to happen until the middle of March now.  Still plenty of time for more decluttering and boxing up. 

To have something to look forward to in the meantime we've booked a long weekend in Jersey.   Shaun and I went there 30 years ago for our honeymoon so we thought it would be nice to return for a few days this year.  It's not until mid-April (in time for my birthday as well) but at least it's not stressing about the house situation.   

We're also looking at our Tribby road trip for this year.  Shaun's main summer holiday this year is the last 2 weeks of May.   There are so many amazing places to visit in the UK so the destination changes quickly.   It is a work in progress but we need to get booking sites soon.   Fingers crossed we have a lovely May this year. 

I've also signed up for the Your Mile Challenge - 1000km in 2019 (it was originally supposed to be 1000 miles but I clicked the wrong entry!)    I'm a little behind on my mileage but fingers crossed as the weather improves there will be more rides.  I managed 800km last year so with the added cycle commutes I should be ok to reach 1000km this year.   If not, I'll be visiting the gym more to do some gym bike miles!