Just how uncomfortable can a new saddle be...?

I took my pretty new bike on its first proper outing on Sunday with my good friend CJ and new recruit Sally on a very pretty route from Bridgend to Cardiff - not sure if it was all in my head but the bike definitely felt lighter underneath me although there doesn't seem much of a difference to my Specialized when hoicking it up steps. I did make it all the way up a HUGE hill, albeit with several stops to catch my breath and quiet my pounding heart, without giving in to the temptation to walk and push my bike. Which I was pretty pleased about, especially when sitting at the top in the sun munching blackberries from the hedgerow and admiring the amazing view while waiting for my buddies! The bad news was that I had ignored the memory of the seat being a bit uncomfortable on my previous 15 minute ride - "how uncomfortable can a new saddle be" I thought. Well let me tell you - VERY. Suffice to say I have not just been sore but completely numb for two days! Good exercise for the thighs though as I rode the last 10 miles almost entirely standing on my pedals...

So if anyone has any recommendations on the most comfortable make and model of saddle for us girls, bearing in mind I plan to spend the best part of 3 weeks on it every day next May, I will be forever in your debt.

13 and nearly-a-half miles per hour - catch me!

I love my bike. I had a rubbish day at work today, too many meetings and Very Important Things To Do while running on a brain like porridge left me feeling snappy and generally very grumpy (sorry to my lovely work buddies), counting the minutes until I could literally run down the stairs and belt across the bay on my bike. Even a stiff wind and grey drizzle couldn't dampen my mood and instead of struggling to make 12 mph up the final stretch I topped out at 13.3 mph, quite an achievement for me. Off to Copenhagen tomorrow for a couple of days to work, so I've packed my running gear and might manage a little jog while my bike takes it easy in the shed. I think she'll miss me.

This is my favourite pic from our very British Tea Party - my ma in law serving tea and lemonade from the kitchen window and enjoying a morsel of chocolate cake! She baked Welshcakes and made a million sandwiches, I did the chocolate cake and Bara Brith. More photos on Flickr - thank you to everyone who came along and donated some of their hard earned dollars to Brigadoon, it was a great boost for us to kick off the fundraising and a very enjoyable afternoon all round. I wish I could remember the names of all the people who came - particularly the lady who told us that she grew up in the house next door and spent many happy hours playing in the garden of our house.

Tomorrow I will be swapping my bike for a polo pony as part of my friend's hen weekend. I used to read books about polo ponies when I was a kid so it will be kind of a dream come true! Followed by dinner / hotel / spa on Sunday - how very girlie.

Taff Trail trials

Well I'm back on my nice little cycle to work route along the Taff Trail from Caerphilly to Cardiff, which is jolly good and all but am feeling a bit of a slacker as my cycle buddies Karen and Matt seem to have mysteriously got a lot fitter over the last year while I seem to have plateaued - time to revisit the training plan methinks. On the bright side I did a spot of internet shopping and ordered some bargain cycling shoes one size too big so I can fit woolly socks in them when the weather turns cold (well it works in theory), and some rather lovely pink tyre levers. Oh and now I went and clicked on the link again - Sombrio top for £8 - bargain! Must.... log... off....