The Hornet

The presence of which answers Jamers question of exactly what was the worst thing that could happen from test riding the demo bike one evening.

I've been thinking of a new bike for some time, but with the road bike added to the stables last year and no real passion for anything I'd seen on the market, the plan had stalled and pushed aside whilst I enjoyed the On One for a few more years.

Jamer, who although having only been a biker for a few years has seen four different brands and set ups pass through his hands was on the look out for something new.  He'd seen the 2014 range of Giants and we spent a Sunday evening dodging wives and kids whilst sneaking looks at the web.

A lad I've done some 24hr races with has gone to 27.5 (650b) and was raving about the benefits of the it and during the Wentwood event of 2013, a 29er riding mate dissolved all doubts I had about larger wheel sizes by out rolling me at every opportunity.

When our local shop became a Giant dealership at the end of the summer last year the deal appeared to be done and with an Anthem and Trance soon acquired as test bikes Jamer made his decision and placed an order for a Trance.

I resisted, insisting I was still happy with the On One, and I was, until the evening I had the test bike of course.

Set up for a lad a bit heavier I managed to fall in love after a single mile.. one that included a road section and some flat bike paths.  That evenings ride was fantastic, I out climbed everyone and was up with Matt, our groups quickest rider on the downs.. suddenly full sus and big wheels clicked and I knew what I wanted.

 Model choice made and order placed, I settled in to wait, according to the dealer site, expected delivery was week 7 of 2014, we worked it out and realised that was close to the Wentwood 50k an event I am desperate to do well in but the right side of it at least.  Jamers was due in week 3 having been delayed from last October (he's not happy at all about that).  I popped in on Monday and was greeted by the shop owner telling me I wasn't meant to be there.. My bike was in, 4 weeks early and before Jamers.. He was even less happy about that..

 And now, it's sitting in the shop waiting for the final swap overs and it'll be properly mine

Fall down 6 times, get up 7

I know what I said, no easy outs and plenty of structure.

Thing is, the man with the plan has decided to have a little fun and its seemingly at my expense.

As the saying goes though, if you fall six times, you must get up seven.

The tight chest I mentioned in my last post was diagnosed as a chest infection.  A course of antibiotics later and I am starting on the road to recovery-ville.  That is until the follow up cold made itself known anyway, gained fitness was lost, then gained and lost again and before I can say pissoffcoldyouareboringmeknow three weeks as passed with only a few miles of running under my belt.

I got out for a ride last weekend and actually felt pretty good.  Reading my Wentwood 50 partners tweets about new bikes and reucing waistlines did little for either my confidence or mood however and a piss poor 9 miles in the saddle is unlikely to have Al worried about keeping up.  More likely that he'll be packing the emergency oxygen tent and ensuring he has the number of the local air ambulance in his phone just in case I get a relapse.

This week I have managed a few runs, including a session of hill reps and a long run yesterday which saw me ticking off just over 10 miles in an hour and 20 minutes.  Something has to be working because that is quicker than I was managing a few weeks out from the last half marathon I ran.

So, I may not be completely doomed to failure for my quicker time for Wentwood,  I just need a few good weeks of training without succumbing to the next bug that is doing the rounds, wall to wall sunshine and for everone else to get the date wrong.

;)