A lot happened, I sold my Motorbike very very quickly, I did a bit of looking around online and got an exact idea of what the bike was worth, which was a nice surprise. I then phoned Gareth at Cradley Kawasaki the place where I got the bike in the first place (actually the place where I always get my Kwaks, bits, servicing, hell they even taught me to ride as well!) and after a quick chat about condition, mileage etc he offered about what I thought he would allowing for dealer margin of course.
Got home, got the bike out and rode it the 11 miles to Cradley Heath, Gareth handed me the cheque there and then and Wifey gave me a lift back home.
So a new commuting bike is in the offing. As well as a much needed addition to the Chapman exchequer, as wifey lost her job a while back which is pressurising us a bit, but we're not the only ones.
We went out last night as well to celebrate wifey's birthday, a couple in the Dodford, where the Richard the Gaffer gave us a drink on the house to celebrate wifey's birthday, then a couple in the Wildmoor Oak and finally a curry in Rubery at the Masala, they specialise in Bangladeshi Cuisine and it's bloody lovely! (no website, sorry). I had a good chat with wifey about the bike choice and all of the helpful advice you gave me and I have arrived at decision with her help as she knows me best.
Drum roll...I will be getting a Giant Defy 2. The reason for that is this. I have a full suspension MTB, I have a MTB all roadified that will be used as a winter hack and towpath basher, the yawning gap I have in my bike stable is an out and out road bike. I have a number of big rides planned which really demands a road bike. Also my pedalling is a serious thing now and the Giant will be used a lot to build mileage, get fitter and help me over the various humps of stationary weight loss. All dependant on a test ride of course!
Northfield Cycles will be getting a visit today. I'm looking forward to it. I haven't bought a new bike in 20 odd years!
Onto rugby matters, I had a phone call off the Chairman of a local Rugby Club yesterday asking me to pop along and meet their committee with a view to me taking over as Head Coach. I'm happy where I am at the moment though, so even though this new thing is a paid position I'm still in two minds about it. I'll go along next month and have a look and see what they have to say. I've been Head Coach of a league club before and it is an all consuming activity and pretty much a thankless task. It's all your fault when you lose and it's the brilliance of the players when you win. Neither is true of course but bloody hell, it does get a bit wearing. That can go on the back burner for a bit though.
Commuter will be getting a good clean in a minute, cycling kit sorted, then a little birthday party for the Spawn of Satan who is 3 years old today. Happy Birthday Dan!
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Blimey, not too fast moving yesterday then!
ReplyDeleteThe Giant looks good, fella at work as one, he is very happy with it, build quality etc he reckons is very good, well on his anyway!
Belated happy birthday to the missus, and to Dan today :) my youngest is 3 tomorrow..eekk, where have the years gone!
Ta mate. I'm 46 years old with a 3 year old. Jaysus!
ReplyDeleteCrikey, did you fit enough into yesterday?
ReplyDeleteIn lieu of the additional info I think you've made an excellent choice. I can't say anything else as I've just ordered the Cannondale Synapse which is very very similar and in fact I was looking at the Giant Defy Advanced 1 (carbon frame/ultegra groupset).
If you get the Giant it'll be coming from their warehouse in Felixstowe, which runs a stock control system written by my company!
If you get it before May (I presume you will) then why not come down and do the Oxfordshire Classic with Matt and I? 30 or 60 mile options. You don't have to chose which you want to do until the point the course splits so no pressure. Having cycled with you I think you'd do the 30 miles on a road bike easily.
As for the rugby position, I think it sounds like a job for someone else. You need time to dedicate to your weightloss goal and the family.
Happy birthday to Dan. Now he's the ripe old age of three, perhaps he'll start to mellow ;)
One of the chaps at work is something like 48 with a 1 year old! Keeps you young I reckon!
ReplyDeleteDeed done, a shiny new Defy 2 will be winging its way to me on Wednesday. Eeeh, I'm right excited!
ReplyDeleteOh and Rafe, I don't know about keeping you young, it certainly keeps you knackered!.
Oxfordshire Classic eh? I'll have a think and a consult with my social secretary.
Do it Clive! Oxon classic is going to be...well, classic this year, Im now WELL up fo it :)
ReplyDeleteOkey dokey, I've just been given the green light chaps. What's the plan?
ReplyDeleteWell I can offer you a bed for the night before if you wish. Perhaps meet up with Matt for dinner. Then we'll meet up on the Sunday to at least start the ride together. No pressure, peeps can do the 30 or 60 as they wish. If by then 60 doesn't scare you then am happy to do it together. As I say you don't have to choose till the day.
ReplyDeleteExcellent news about the bike btw. Things move at quite a pace in your world eh!
ReplyDeleteIf you're going to do it, then get it done is my motto matey. No sense in hanging around. Thanks for the offer, I'll let you know nearer the day depending on the Spawn of Satan's behaviour at the time, Wifey still has problems with him!
ReplyDeleteExcellent news Clive, be great to ride out with you, and Rafe of course, but he knows that already ;)
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a nice bike :-)
ReplyDeleteYou had a busy Friday glad to hear things went well. You are starting to get a nice little collection of bikes there Clive, hope you have fun with your 30 mile classic, I have signed up for a 25 miler in April.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to the SS, oh the joy of having a 3 year old to look after. At 50 I have enough problems with a daughter of 19 and son of 9
Oi Old Man, you misunderstood me. When I said there was no pressure I was of course lying. There is only one Oxfordshire Classic and that's the 60 miler.
ReplyDeleteForgot to say, the website is here:
http://www.bike-events.com/Ride.aspx?id=234
Rafe, I will let Clive handle the pressure and I will watch from afar............
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice ride, I know 60 miles would kill me and I am away that weekend anyway............