Adventure and A Short Update

Hello cutie,

If you follow my Twitter you might have seen I went on an adventure yesterday.
I don't have any experience with bicycles.
None whatsoever.

A couple of months ago, a close friend of mine gifted me her bicycle as she hadn't used it in a few years. Her adorable Dutch-style bicycle needed a lot of cleaning and maintenance work and was supposed to be my self-care winter project.

YouTube was my friend for the basics. It truly was satisfying to put some music on my headphones and work with my hands taking the bicycle apart, cleaning it and putting it all back together. I enjoyed the process so much, I had everything done in three weeks instead of three months.

After I fixed and cleaned the bicycle, it was idle for a few weeks. I didn't quite have to courage to pedal. Simply sitting on the saddle was like I was strapped to a rocket. The gear clicker looked like a fancy bell and I had no idea how gears properly worked. (I wasn't kidding when I said zero experience.)

The first time I sat in the saddle, I walked my bicycle more than sitting on it. Let's just say, steering was a bit shaky, but yes, I learned how to use gears fairly quickly that day.

Yesterday's adventure was my second time in the saddle. Pedalling for 11 kilometers up and down hills truly was a step outside my comfort zone. Plus, it was a ring route so I had to keep going until I got all the way back. No shortcuts.

The experience was truly a pleasure. Feeling my heart pumping and hearing each beat echo in my ears, knowing it was my strength, grit and determination driving me forward. I did have to dismount and take a few breaks to gather myself but overall I'm quite thrilled with my adventure. I will say, I was a little saddle-sore for a bit but that's to be expected. 🤣

If you didn't know, I originally wanted to write and record audio for a few years before I started but never did anything about it. Despite taking all precautions, I caught Covid in December 2020 while doing the Christmas dinner grocery shopping. After two to three weeks of being really unwell of lying in bed in self-isolation, if I wanted to do something I knew I couldn't wait any longer. While stuck in bed, I scribbled audio ideas. 

On my first day out of isolation, I went for a short walk for fresh air. And what happened afterwards? Passed out on my bed for three hours. I've been dealing with Long Covid since then and I've to be mindful of flare-ups, fatigue and exhaustion. It's a delicate and easily changeable balance.

As of right now, I'm not back to my level of fitness pre-Covid and I don't expect to be anytime soon. Since yesterday, my breathing is stronger, deeper and clearer. My legs feel strong and like they've had a good stretch. My back is warm and flexible. Plus the lovely pulse of endorphins afterwards was a bonus. I'm feeling energised and enthusiastic.

Who knew something as simple and ordinary as a bicycle ride would be so positive?

Oh my, I'd intended to write a sentence or two about my adventure and now it's several paragraphs. Let's move on to what's happening this week.

It's my birthday in a few weeks and I've updated my Throne wishlist. I do have an Amazon wishlist and there are a few duplicate items between both. I've recently updated my Throne with newer items plus on Throne you can suggest items to me. My pleasure is your pleasure. 💕

Posting the audio vote poll, probably tomorrow.

Have a think about and work out December's reduced schedule and post those details.  

Another much shorter bicycle adventure. I feel the start of a cold coming on so a short sedate pedal of a couple of kilometres is the most I'll risk.

Drafting December's long audio script. No idea what to do yet. A bit more thinking to do. It took me over a solid week to write Trained to Worship. Much longer than I would've liked.

Gathering more words on For Her Pleasure. Lots to think about. Lots to do.

Buy a chicken coop on Stardew Valley.

As I said above, I love figuring out how things work, so any suggestions for a new winter/spring project to keep my hands occupied while my mind is working would be great.

Have a lovely day or night where you are.
Until next time...