Feeling rather clever!

With Aaron home at the moment and the girls on school holidays I took advantage of the situation on the weekend and arranged to go for a ride with some of my riding buddies I haven't seen for a while.

Friday evening was spent being spoilt by my family, celebrating my birthday early (Aaron had taken the kids shopping and they were soo excited about the presents they brought for me, they couldn't wait till the big day. Aaron will be away working so it was decided that Friday night was the substitute.) We had a yummy dinner made by the masterchef in our house Aaron, cake and presents. I am one very spoilt lady. I got cookbooks, candles, baskets and some very bright flash lights for Stella. So after putting them on and riding up and down our street at 9pm at night I was ready to hit the road early on Saturday morning.

How fantastic is it to be able to see where you are going, and knowing that cars can't miss you. I rugged myself up, sandwich bags on my toes, earwarmers, and the new jacket I snagged for $20.. I was sooo toasty that I actually got hot during the ride.. We only had 4 people in the group on saturday morning and decided that we couldn't call ourselves a peloton with only 4 people, sounds way better being the breakaway group. We headed out to Buffalo Beach, one of my favourite rides, We head out of town along the estuary to a rest stop at the beach and then back to town via the estuary. The sun was out and shining, ducks, kangaroos.. I really felt like letting out a Babe like LA LA LA! I was having the time of my life, out pedalling with my mates. About 15 mins from home I get a back tyre puncture. Thankfully Aaron was home and came to my rescue like the white knight he is.

On Sunday I decide that I need to fix the puncture myself, so I can learn how to do it and Stella really needs a bath. Imagine if you will.. garage door up with the sun shining in. Stella upside down with both tyres off. Me sitting on a little stool, with a bucket of warm soapy water cleaning muck of  Stella, cleaning and polishing all of Stella's shining bits. I changed the tube myself, cleaned and lubed up Stellas chain and managed to get the back tyre back into position, all on my own... WWWOOOOOOHHHHHOOOOO!

Stella looked stunning, all shining and indeed looked as if she were smiling. This morning I head out at 5.40am with Gail for a ride testing out the new lights and the rain starts coming down about 15kms into the ride.. When I hung Stella up at the end of the ride she is back to looking dirty and grotty again.. but you know what I still think I can see her smile... at least we had been out for a ride.!