Headed off nice and early to the gym this morning so I could get in a good cardio session prior to the weights work. Only to realise halfway there that I'd left the bike lock at home. So I turned around and raced home to get it.

And as soon as I turned around it started raining.

When I left home again it was closer to my usual departure time...and it had stopped raining. :)

It was supposed to be an outdoor wedding dammit! There is a contingency plan but I was so hoping for the couple's sake that it wouldn't be needed.

I've also spent the last couple of days making sure that I wouldn't be sick today - no riding*, resting inside, lots of hot drinks - so that I'm up for my best man duties. I'm still taking a pack of strepsils along anyway just in case something does start happening to my throat.

Last night spent chatting, eating pizza, and playing computer games with the groom and other friends. Well, I played 10 pin bowling with a Wii and enjoyed watching many people play Guitar Hero on an X-Box. I rapidly observed that Guitar Hero requires far too much hand eye coordination & reflexes for me.

*I'll worry about my riding quota for April later.

...but its raining again.

Oh well, I guess that means I can put in a long ride tomorrow. :)

I managed a century ride today. Perhaps that explains why I'm so sleepy at half past three...

Courtesy of stephendedman (thanks!) comes this video of a hybrid recumbent/upright that can switch modes midride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H39NiWbeOw

The idea is to have a recumbent where you can switch to a standing position for hill climbing (so that you can use your body weight). I'm not sure the advantage is worth the weight penalties* or the risk to the knees from mashing. I can't mash so I've learnt to watch my cadence and keep spinning at 80-100 which is a lot better for the knees.

*There are at least two: the extra parts for the concertina mechanisms and the fact that the handlebars have to be load bearing in the upright position.

Rode up Mount Ainslie yesterday which was, as usual,  a long hard climb and a good cardio workout. I even took the time to stretch the leg muscles at the top.

This means that I don't feel the slightest bit guilty about the fact that I maxed out at 78.4KPH somewhere on the descent...

:)

Other than that, not much happening.

I had an excellent ride with a friend yesterday that included Red Hill (featuring a nasty climb followed, naturally, by 30000 Pounds of Bananas style descent) but it seemed like I was struggling in places and the road seemed bumpier than normal.

On returning home (after a brief detour via Koko Blacks. Mmmmmmmmm), the cause proved to be a bulge in the tyre large enough for it to be scraping against the mudguard. I changed it this morning and the ride is much better now. :)

In other news the problems with the knee are lingering but taping it seems to be helping (one nasty twinge yesterday though as I was locking up the trike across the road from Koko Blacks).

Just sighted on 'Bentrider Online is this entry level recumbent bike for kids. OK,  still fairly pricey compared to the mass produced junk seen in places like K-mart etc but an impressve achievement nonetheless at about a quarter of the price of many adult recumbents.

Speaking from experience*, the recumbent grin is a powerful motivator for exercise. 

Although, the positive reactions I normally get from kids when I ride past makes me wonder how much jealousy one of these or a KMX kart would cause in a schoolyard...

*Not that I'm complaining but I do occasionally wonder about what happened to those 10 Kilos...