B-Day!

Bike Day had finally dawned! I was so incredibly nervous and excited all at once walking down to SMC. It was a huge commitment in terms of finances, along with the obvious risk element, but as I got nearer to the store I knew I was doing the right thing. I got the bits and pieces of paperwork sorted and then it was time for the fun stuff...getting all the gear! I'd already tried on a helmet I liked so that was sorted. I knew the challenge would be finding trousers that had long enough legs and a jacket that had long enough arms, and I was right on that account. I'd also already settled on leathers over textiles, not only for the better protection but it looks I tried on a couple of women's jackets which were woefully short in the sleeves before settling on a nice Frank Thomas jacket. It was still a bit short but I managed to get some longish gloves which made up for it. The trousers proved to be more problematic. I'm an awkward size anyway, and I had to try on about 6 different pairs before I found some that even remotely fit me. It felt very strange and alien (and uncomfortably hot) walking around all togged up in the leathers but felt quite natural as soon as I sat on the bike. I few more bits and pieces to sign, a security chain to buy, then I was ready to set off.

The ride back up to work was terrifying. Only 2 weeks had past since I had last ridden on a bike but it felt like months. It also didn't help that, thanks to the vagaries of the Sheffield one way system, I didn't really know how to get back in the direction I wanted to be in once I left SMC. Eventually, after pulling in to someone's drive (oops!) and doing a sort of half-arsed U turn I managed to get back on track, and remarkably made it safe and sound back to work only stalling once!