Pass me the noodle mate!

Weather: Snowy, with a skin-removing northerly wind
Todays tune in my head: Stay on these Roads, A-ha
24.3km, trail, in snow. And mud.

Today began with a thick head and a definite unwillingness of body to co-operate with what my brain was attempting to get it to do and so as punishment for being weak, I rode fartlek style into work. I'm not sure if one can do fartlek on a bike or wether its known as something different but anyway, thats what I did. And it had snowed a lot. There was only about 2 inches here at the house but once out of the shelter of the trees, there were 3 to 4 inches laying on top of frozen ground (hurrah for being lazy and keeping the spikes on). I rode with a permanently surprised look on my face, due partly to the shock of being plunged into a winter wonderland again after the spring like greens and browns of the last few days - and partly from oxygen deprivation. Anyway, was most definitely awake by the time I got to work. Todays photo is of Bellfield Park in Banchory. I thought we'd had enough of sunsets and country things and so, an urban (as urban as NE Scotland gets) scene was called for.

After work (1.30pm) I had my first afternoon as apprentice bike mechanic at my local bike shop Banchory Cycles Learnt a lot, had a laugh, ogled some bikes, laughed more and learnt lots, lots more. Did you know the little black sleeve through which the cable runs across the brakes calipers is called a noodle? No, I didn't either. I changed brake and gear cables, set up gears, changed tyres, ooohed at the magical 'wheel true'ing' stand and oiled and greased till the cows came home. Peter (the boss) said he'd been hesitant about having a girl in the workshop as he thought I might have been worried about my nails (?!?!?) but admitted he was very pleased I turned out to be 'not that sort' and seemed to be pleased with me. I get to go back to can't have been too bad. Was very good to get my hands dirty again and really, really enjoyed it!

The ride back tonight though was not enjoyable and was in close to the foulest weather I have ever been out in. I was beyond soaked and covered head to toe in mud from the rapidly thawing trail when I got home but once I'd shoved a bagel and peanut butter down my throat and defrosted under the shower, I gave Bob (my mountainbike) an overhaul - yes, I know, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing but hey, now my [disc] brakes are working better and I've adjusted *things* to within an inch of their lives in readiness for Fridays outing.

Its been a great day but I am bushed and off to climb under the blanket with a plate of spaghetti bolognaise and watch the mens 12.5km pursuit at Whistler.