Dinnae be saft Contra, the pain is mostly muscular now and from what I've been told the vertebrae will have collapsed to some extent which puts all the nerves out of line and causes the muscle pains. So I need to exercise the muscles to try and get everything moving smoother and hopefully (but not guaranteed according to the doctor) the muscles and nerves will settle down. The future's uncertain as yet but I'm hopeful and I don't want to/can't sit about hoping it will get better

Look on the bright side I might have the chance of a free bike if I pass the auld b'stard lying at the side of the road ....  ====================================

"Open Mike Night " sounded like a lot of fun until i found out i was going to an Autopsy

Just back from a week on the Isle of Bute with SWMBO, mother-in-law, daughter and Freida my granddaughter who is now 3½ years old. I didn't do much cycling as I'm still in a fair amount of pain but on the good days I did manage to get a few miles in. Daughter took her husbands hybrid bike and a kiddy trailer so I decided that Freida and I would go up The Serpentine in Rothesay to try it out.

The Serpentine is a well known hill climb on the island and a tough test for even the best of cyclists so attempting it with my injury and whilst pulling a trailer with a 3½ years old child was a bit of a massive challenge for me, but with the low gears on the hybrid I stood a good chance of getting to the top. The road has some 13 hairpin bends and the straight sections between the bends are short so it is impossible to get any momentum up between bends. I decided early on to drop into the lowest gear and just churn away at the pedals and we reached the top. On the descent we stopped about half way down for a photo whilst Freida ate her yoghurt, I guess she had an appetite watching me haul her up the hill

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Very impressive... a week on the Isle of Bute that is

I was wondering John if you had a helmet cam to keep an eye on the tits on the road? Here is a link to one of the breast examples of what I mean....

http://www.mtb-downhill.net/she-does-it-right/ Previously..
Vogue SE TD6
Defender 90 2.4
Defender 110 TD5
Vogue 3.5 EFI

Managed to cycle 30 miles today, although not in one go and not without pain, but at least it's 30 miles more than I could do a couple of weeks ago

Slowly getting back into the swing of things, still having lots of pain though so not pushing it too hard at the moment. Managed 102 easy miles last week and looking to equal that again this week

Managed a nice 37 mile ride today out to Dumbarton Castle and back. Was hoping to meet my son-in-law there (never happened) as he was preparing for tomorrows Commonwealth Baton Relay. He has to climb the rock with the baton...should be on BBC Scotland News at around 1:30pm & 6:30 Friday for anyone wishing to see it

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Looks like a beautiful spot to cycle.

Just can't help myself


I bought this frameset last night for a few pounds, I was expecting it to be in poor condition given the price the vendor was advertising it for so was pleasantly surprised when I saw it in the flesh. My initial plan was to strip my Fort track bike and built the Omnium with the parts, but I think I might have to buy some new parts and build something nice as the frame is lovely. So for now I have borrowed the chainset and wheels from the Fort to see how I get on with the Giant. I bought some bar tape and the rest of the bits came from my parts box

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Having had the pleasure of the velodrome during the games I can confirm that you are a mentalist, where's yer brakes.... madman

Brakes are for girls

Top respect

25 miles yesterday and 50 miles today

From Glasgow to Moscow and back

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Are you back to full fitness yet or still building up?

Moscow? Previously..
Vogue SE TD6
Defender 90 2.4
Defender 110 TD5
Vogue 3.5 EFI

Still struggling Contra, came home and swallowed some painkillers. My speed was way down today and the headwind never helped so I think tired legs tonight.


Yes Moscow, never saw Red Square though

Also passed where Hess crash landed, Ma birthplace, Harry Lauder's hoose, Alexander Fleming's hoose...