Just another Day here it goes

With the TT nationals out of the way all the pressure comes off. I'm tired but still want to ride my bike so mid morning I loaded up with water wallet camera and set off for who knows where. Perfect riding conditions little to no wind sunny but not too hot.

Why when there is no impending race or event do you ride so freely and feel so good. I didn't realise I put so much pressure on myself. Today I just relaxed and road. I was able to finally get back on Pugsley and just enjoy the simple pleasure of riding a bike.

I had to put the Pug away earlier this season as I kept finding reasons to ride it when I should have been putting in quality road ks.

Road all my favourite tracks one after the other no hurry just a great feeling and fantastic conditions.

I have have a few wonderful months to enjoy it so here goes.

Celebrated by constructing a monster pizza then eating it.

Storm Warning

With the expected southerly storm arriving early this morning I felt sorry for all the athletes who had trained so hard for both the iron man and the Karapoti races. The weather is shocking high winds and driving rain.

I was down for a hour and half road ride and just couldn't face doing it on the rollers( sorry Lisa).

The pressure to complete a session and two dogs who don't understand "it's raining out there", I readied Pugsley for a outing.

Both dogs have been running with Sal the past two months as she builds for the Rotorua marathon and can easely trot for 20 ks. In other words they are very very fit and eager for a run any time.

I cut through the golf course which was empty no surprises there, the Pug is the only bike allowed to traverse the golf course as the tyres don't mark the greens, it pays to get friendly with the green keeper when your back gate opens onto the golf course. No riding on the road for 18 kms today!!.

The wind and rain were so strong I couldn't make it up the only climb on the route in fact I was blown into the bank twice in the first half an hour of riding. I had to pedal the descents but once we rounded the most southern point I could free wheel for ages.

All the sea birds where sheltering in every bay we rounded and where very reluctant to fly as the dogs got closer. Rounding one corner I saw 20 black swans huddled on the beach facing away from us. Lissy my pointer couldn't believe her luck and sprinted toward the group. To her and my surprise they didn't move as she bore down on the group about five large male swans launched their attack. They charged toward the dog wings spread honking loudly. Lissy isn't the bravest dog out there and the five swan attack was too much for her. It was the funniest sight watching her change from fast forward to reverse and turning at the same time, her hind legs got tangled up and she slipped and fell sideways just as the swans got to her, she got bitten on the behind for her troubles and ran howling out of the bay.

The ride was uneventful just a slog in the rain cool though surprisingly we were the only ones out.

I cant believe it we have the fire going on the 3rd of March.

Look at your own life. Has it become overly complex? Have you found yourself burdened by too many possessions or responsibilities? Take a deep breath and ask yourself: “What steps can I take to reduce the clutter so that I may live simply and joyously?

We wear 20% of the clothes we own, today I started giving away clothes I've not worn in the past year. It was quite a lot two rubbish bags in total. The bonus is more draw space and the knowledge someone needy got my stuff today.

I often talk to people who complement me on my lifestyle. Which in its self is ok,Im not living for them, so what others think is irelevant. Nice to know that others think Im doing ok.
What concerns me is when people tell me their wishes and plans for the future. Again plans and wishs are important for they become reality if we want them to.
Heres the concern its when the wishs and dreams are prefaced with if only, if I could afford it, next year, when , when when......
These dreams, wishes will never happen as the person putting forth the statement is presenting them with a get out clause./

My advice to someone who uses the get out clause is " the only thing stopping your dream coming true is you".
Lets face it if you want it you will go out and do it.
That's the only difference between me and them I wanted it.
Make no mistake its hard to make a wish or dream reality, so if you mean it go and make it happen.

Xmas 2008

In the new life I live each day excited to see what it will bring. In so many ways my world has changed. No longer do I worry about things that I cant fix. I see things I started to take for granted as the real pleasures of live, such as the trust of real friends , the value of time, the simple act of walking with the dogs , the vagaries of weather are there to enjoy or at least marvel at. I enjoy riding my bike so much more now. The company I keep is my choice now. I look forward to my job because it has become a part of my life not a drudgery to endure.

Earlier this week I spoke with some one who had raised a loan to buy Xmas presents. This has had a profound effect on me. I cant stop thinking why someone would do this. I know why this person in particular did this. They think that this will make their life fuller and they will become happy as a result. All be it until they have to pay the loan.

Here's a thought What did you Give/receive for Xmas 2008. I don't know.

Nothing material really matters if you run this exercise.....You are at home with your partner/family dog cat etc. and the house is on fire you can take one bag with you what do you put in it?

Now the big TV the I phone the wine collection the nice carpet means nothing, its all the trappings of what we think we need to be happy.

Last year I started letting go of meaning less crap material and otherwise. The more I do the better I feel.
Of course I'm still a sucker for the biggest brightest but now I'm beginning to see it for what it all is, mostly a ploy to take money from you on the pretext that you need it. It breaks it becomes obsolete the moment you have it and guess what i don't feel any better for it

Have you watched the movie the book of ELI, he says in it "people are fighting for things we once threw away". It is a statement about what is really important.

I'm not one little bit Christian if anything I lean toward Buddhism. In saying that here's my Xmas list for 2011 and beyond.

1. Listen , to what someone's really saying and take interest.

2. Do something kind for someone else just because you can.

3. Encourage complement someone and mean it.

You can add to it but guess what You won't have to raise a loan to do this and the interest you receive will make you happy longer..

Day light saving

It's that time again a man made measure that has such an effect on you is just amazing. The First Monday just gone i woke and did exactly the same things Ive done all winter . Walked the dogs then made breakfast. It felt so different. It was like something was about to happen I felt like a kid on their birthday morning expectant and excited. It hasn't gone yet . Suddenly the sun is hotter the days longer and more full.
Here it is 5.30 in the afternoon sun streaming into the room and what am I doing typing. Shit I'm off for a ride don't want to waste time now do i.

How far can you ride this.

Ive just in the last week got my Surly Pugsley bike. It is something else.
Just learning to ride it has been a blast. You cant attack anything especially hills!!!. Dial up a gear sit down and grind away.
What surprised me is that it isn't that much slower than my single speed go figure.
Made my way up the knob and down my usual trails it just goes.

Now I'm thinking how far can I go on this baby. I pulled out of the Brevet later in the summer because of over commitment but now I'm looking for something to do on this fatty .
I did three laps of the loop on it with the dogs today and it was no problem at all. So the planning starts I want 7 to 8 days self supported summer adventure. So time to hit google earth watch this space.