21 THINGS I LEARNT IN MY FIRST TWO DAYS CYCLING IN LONDON

Hi all,

So as I said in my last blog post, I now own one of those cute folding bikes (named Reuben) and am cycling in London everyday. 

It's quite a long distance each day and my bum is now in agony every time I place myself on the seat. I'll get used to the uncomfortable seating soon, I may even develop some hot bum muscles but I'm pretty sure there are one or two bruises right now. Apologies if I'm over-sharing. 

This is my journey:
Home - Ashford Station: 15 minutes
London St Pancras - Islington: 25 minutes
Islington - London St Pancras: 25 minutes
Ashford Station - Home: 15 minutes

Total time = 1 hour and 20 minutes.

This may not sound like a long time to some of you, but that obviously means you've not seen the hill from Kings Cross into Angel? No, as I expected.

I've learned a few things since I've been cycling in London. I'd like to share them with you...

1. There is a reason I never passed my cycling proficiency test when I was like 9.

2. Cars don't know where they're going.

3. Busses don't know where they're going.

4. Cyclists don't know where they're going.

5. Pedestrians don't know where they're going.

 
6. I don't know where I'm going.

- nobody has a clue

7. Traffic lights are more boring if you're on a bike than if you're in a car.

8. Never sit down when cycling over a speed bump. This may explain the sore bum issue!

9. Bicycles should have wing mirrors.

10. Fit everything you need into a rucksack. I have reason to beleive that H&M carrier bags, filled with tins of tuna, hurt when they bash into your shins.

11. I've had more near misses with bus wing mirrors in the space of two days, than I have with gym sessions since owning a gym membership - this is a lot btw.

12. Steep hills are impossible to cycle up, unless if you're planning on going backwards.

13. Other cyclists are speed-competitive. 'Take over, by all means, I'm going to be here a while anyway.'

14. Helmet hair is much less attractive than bed hair.

15. Never cycle with a skirt or dress on. Just don't.

16. Always carry deodorant in your backpack.

17. The wind and rain are not your friends. The two combined are your enemy.

18. One way road 'systems' are the worst.

19. They should make helmets with room for ponytails.

20. Don't get too cocky. I do this with ice skating. When I gain confidence I start showing off and soon make an idiot of myself by falling over.

21. If the roads aren't making sense (which even as a driver, they really never do) tag along with a group of big boys who seem to know what they're doing.

I'm sure there's more that will enlighten me as I continue in the cycling world. I'll more than likely tweet about it.

Thanks for reading!

Mel x

MY WEEK IN REVIEW - HAPPY AUGUST!

Hi Guys,

Happy August! Sorry that tomorrows Monday. Believe me, I wish I had the power to change that.

Last week was a pretty busy one. I'm so exhausted as a result. I went to the preview for Impossible on Tuesday night. If you haven't heard about it, it's a new magic show in the West End featuring various world-class magicians. I took Joe along and my bestie Bex with her man Dan. It was so amazing how some of the stunts were done.

I then went to see the show AGAIN on the Thursday, as I was invited to the Press Night. This one was the more glitzy event of the two. There were so many famous faces in attendance, including Dynamo and Jamie Raven who were sat in front of me. I don't often get starstruck but these two very nearly made me lose my cool. 

I thought after seeing the show twice I may be able to explain how some of the stunts were done, but if anything, it has made matters worse! The show is at the Noel Coward Theatre in the West End for a short period only. I'd recommend you all go to see it if you can.

I think I've reached that point in my life, at aged just 22, where I struggle with doing things on school nights. It just completely throws me out. Joe and I were going to see Mission Impossible on Friday but we were so exhausted we settled for Haagen Dazs and Netflix instead. 

- Which reminds me, If you've not tried salted caramel Haagen Dazs you're really missing out. Do yourself a favour and try it. Disclaimer: It could make you fat.

Yesterday I slept in until 11am, before I went to go and pick up my BRAND NEW FOLDING BIKE! It's the best thing ever in the entire world and I am so excited to start cycling to work. I'm also pretty petrified to embrace those deadly London roads. The cars in London seem to think they're competing at Grand Prix.

Guys, meet Reuben ->

...And this is my helmet that I pick up on Tuesday. I'm so in love!

So yeah that's pretty exciting. 

Today I slept in until half 11 before attending a family garden party, I think I've had too much sleep this weekend, so the 6am start tomorrow should be wonderful.

I hope your Mondays aren't too soul destroying. We'll get through it together!

Lots of love, 

Mel x