30 July - 3 August: Skyride and new bike in the wings

Sat - Drove up to Jan's birthday party in Leeds, stopping off at the Planet-X/On One showroom in Sheffield to look at their Alfine 11:

Very nice steel hybrid, like the new Glow in the dark white (sort of cream) colour.  Thinking of Mrs M buying this on the Cycle to Work scheme.

Great party, sunny weather in beautiful garden, with live music.  Back home at 11:30.

Sun - Up early to meet G&P to go to Hillingdon Hospital to take a group to join Boris' Hillingdon Skyride.   

Went a route we had not done before, on the ridge between Chalfonts and Denham, a flatish country lane but then the delights of central Uxbridge.  The Skyride was not quite the experience of riding on the Mall, but fun with the group.  Lunch at the Green Man pub in Denham, good sized starters.  37 miles in total, a lovely day, but strangely very tiring - we kept falling asleep in the afternoon.

Bbq (in oven) as J&L popped in to eat.  How sweet of them.

Mon - Took out the retyred Cadenza on the crap roads.  Cycled to deliver post to The Hatch, then back to Chenies on the bridleway.  Felt very good, absorbing the bumps.  Front mudguard was rubbing so had to adjust that, then off to Waitrose in Ricky for a bit of restocking.  12 miles in total.  I'm now pleased with how this bike rides around here.

Got down the Giant OCR3 as I'm thinking we will take this on the Paris. Pumped up the tyres, only to snap off a valve stem, so had to change the tube.  Will try it out tomorrow.

Tue - Mike is in from Bahrain at Investcorp Office, so I decided to cycle in to meet him and Ian for lunch.  23 miles each way, but a fast ride average 13.3mph considering the traffic, roundabouts and lights.  Giant went very well, quick to accelerate and much more comfy than I remember on the bumps.  Had a pint and steak and ale pie at the Audley.  Investcorp hasn't changed in its internal politics or is business model, but nice to hear that the IT Strategy I established 5 years ago of virtualising the DR sites has come to fruition under Mike.  46 miles in 3:25hrs.  Felt a little tired but very satisfied with the outing.

Wed - Mrs M sent in the Bike To Work forms into the hospital HR department, and filled in the on-line request at CycleScheme.co.uk.  Prepped bike and packed for L to P tomorrow.  Bought a rack pack and lights from Dee's Amersham.  Updated the garmins with the route (again).   Lets hope the rain forecast tomorrow goes through in the morning, as the Ladies start from Trafalger Square at noon.