Back to the bike

After 9 months of pregnancy and nearly 6 months of doing very little, my excuse of 'I've just had a baby' is wearing a bit thin and I've finally plucked up the courage to wipe the dust of my beloved roadbike.

I really, really love my bike, her name is 'Ali' and she is a Specialized Allez Sport. I bought her back in 2008 and at the time she was my first big purchase - money was tight living in central London on a teachers salary. My bike is the key to many memories connected to London and my time competing in triathlons. I have really fond recolections of cycling a 40 minute journey to work every morning from Hackney (East London) to St. Johns Wood (North London). Also cycling every Saturday and Sunday morning to the Serpentine Lake in Hyde park where I was a member of the Serpentine Swimming Club, ready to embrace the murky, ducky, cold waters.

It was only with a slight tinge of guilt that I merrily swiped my MasterCard yesterday in a local bike shop called Spokes and treated Ali to a new set of Rolf Prima Echelon wheels/rims and All Condition Armadillo Elite Tyres (tires, for you Yanks).....she's looking hot and ready to go!! Now all I need to do is get out there and start riding her again.