LEJOG - The Butterfly Effect
The jacuzzi glistens with a barely rippled turquoise hue. Flowing like smooth molten glass atop a bed of hot tin. I step in.
The water sizzles and starts to hubble bubble toil and trouble as I rest my fevered legs, and other bits, into its welcoming embrace. I feel the fizz of a multitude of jets originate off the back of my legs which rise and grow into embryonic baby Garrowby's that wrap themselves around my tight thighs.... Ahhhh....
The pool attendant shouts quizzically! ' Do you want me to turn the jacuzzi on mate?
Today was sorely needed. It was a shame that I could not continue the ride but the fact is that another 100 miler would have resulted me in being very late. As in the obituary columns describing the late Mr Tyssen. I could not stay another night at the White Horse Tavern as they were full so I had to move on.
I desperately needed to find a laundrette as my bike was being dragged backwards by the mass of angry clothing that was trying to get away. As I left the room, one of the cleaning staff asked in that quizzical way whether everything was alright. Oh yes says I and as I start to mention my need to wash some bits I see her concentration start to wane. I decide not to continue to describe just what Balloon Dog and Hairy Melon had done to my cycling shorts seen that both have been numb and quite incontinent for the last few days. It may have involved some references to Lucozade and a smattering of peanut butter. Ahem, the smooth type. Sorry...
Two ladies were busy at the laundry in Dawley. Fantastic at helping me to drive the industrial machines. I popped across the road into Tykes Bikes and disturbed Dale from his strip down of another fat bloke frame. I explained the situation with my bleeding hub (as in bleeding, not bleeding ok?) and he did his best, phoning mates and searching on line to conclude that unless I wanted to go to London the best action was to wait from Cyclesence in Tadcaster to see what they say I should do being that the guaranteed for lifetime 1000 quid 14 speed 'Rolex' hub will never, ever, ever, ever, ever fail. `But if I was stuck he would lend me (not hire me) a bike to complete the journey. Flipping 'eck!
I thanked him dearly and now await a call tomorrow from Cyclesense to see what they say. But I expect to carry on unless the leak worsens. Hopefully this is NOT a showstopper as Rohloff hubs must be sent back to the factory in Germany if ever at fault. Oh Dear :-(
Anyway back in the laundry I have a grand chat with Steph. She tells me about her motorbike husband and his inner ear problem that means he has difficulty leaning bikes in bends even if she is onboard. I quietly giggled as I imagined her thumping him in the kidneys. And how he once stumbled upon an accident and matter of factly told Steph that the guy was dead. 'How did you know?' She asks. 'Perhaps not?' Well says he, his head is not connected to his body so I guess its a fair assessment. Oh dear.
We then talk about things that people do that are good and bad. For example how she stepped off her husbands motorbike whilst moving which had her running down the road because an old couple had completely bollocked a road junction manoeuvre and she was left stood there angrily staring at them, both now with their heads in their hands. And she did not react in an overly negative way (stand at doors / shout / gesticulate) etc..
I say, make use of your right hand. Here's what mine looked like after almost 100 miles of abuse just south of Worcester. No not that type. It would be lipstick if it were. Saucy!
The hand use I mean, is that whenever anyone, that is anyone, does anything to help you then shake their hands, give them a thumbs up or wave. Do not ever acknowledge negative action or behaviour.
An example was the truck driver who stuck low and slow on the back of my bike on an uphill grade. As soon as I saw the dropped kerb I pointed at it, dragged the bike up onto the footpath and gave him a wave with my right hand whilst ploughing on against the grade now on the path. Two loud but polite 'toots' sounded in thanks that had the hairs stood up on my back. And away he went.
Always recognise when people do good for you and say thank you. Every person touched in this way is more likely to pass it on to more people so over the day, months and years, like the butterfly effect suggests, the world just might change for the better.
Here's photo's of Trevor and Shelley from my story earlier today. One act of random kindness is all it takes to make the world a better place. I know Trevor doesn't want me to but I must. I will make donations to CRUK and RNLI in my way for both of them to pass on the goodness they were so willing to share with me. The best burgers 11 miles south of Worcester on the A38 and best hairdresser in Worcester for sure!
I've been riding for 43 hours, 46 minutes and 46 seconds. I have covered 395 miles (thats London or Edinburgh back to York) and used on cycling alone 35729 calories. This is exactly one third distance to the white whale (JOG).
Tomorrow will be another glorious and life affirming day.
The water sizzles and starts to hubble bubble toil and trouble as I rest my fevered legs, and other bits, into its welcoming embrace. I feel the fizz of a multitude of jets originate off the back of my legs which rise and grow into embryonic baby Garrowby's that wrap themselves around my tight thighs.... Ahhhh....
The pool attendant shouts quizzically! ' Do you want me to turn the jacuzzi on mate?
Today was sorely needed. It was a shame that I could not continue the ride but the fact is that another 100 miler would have resulted me in being very late. As in the obituary columns describing the late Mr Tyssen. I could not stay another night at the White Horse Tavern as they were full so I had to move on.
I desperately needed to find a laundrette as my bike was being dragged backwards by the mass of angry clothing that was trying to get away. As I left the room, one of the cleaning staff asked in that quizzical way whether everything was alright. Oh yes says I and as I start to mention my need to wash some bits I see her concentration start to wane. I decide not to continue to describe just what Balloon Dog and Hairy Melon had done to my cycling shorts seen that both have been numb and quite incontinent for the last few days. It may have involved some references to Lucozade and a smattering of peanut butter. Ahem, the smooth type. Sorry...
Two ladies were busy at the laundry in Dawley. Fantastic at helping me to drive the industrial machines. I popped across the road into Tykes Bikes and disturbed Dale from his strip down of another fat bloke frame. I explained the situation with my bleeding hub (as in bleeding, not bleeding ok?) and he did his best, phoning mates and searching on line to conclude that unless I wanted to go to London the best action was to wait from Cyclesence in Tadcaster to see what they say I should do being that the guaranteed for lifetime 1000 quid 14 speed 'Rolex' hub will never, ever, ever, ever, ever fail. `But if I was stuck he would lend me (not hire me) a bike to complete the journey. Flipping 'eck!
I thanked him dearly and now await a call tomorrow from Cyclesense to see what they say. But I expect to carry on unless the leak worsens. Hopefully this is NOT a showstopper as Rohloff hubs must be sent back to the factory in Germany if ever at fault. Oh Dear :-(
Anyway back in the laundry I have a grand chat with Steph. She tells me about her motorbike husband and his inner ear problem that means he has difficulty leaning bikes in bends even if she is onboard. I quietly giggled as I imagined her thumping him in the kidneys. And how he once stumbled upon an accident and matter of factly told Steph that the guy was dead. 'How did you know?' She asks. 'Perhaps not?' Well says he, his head is not connected to his body so I guess its a fair assessment. Oh dear.
We then talk about things that people do that are good and bad. For example how she stepped off her husbands motorbike whilst moving which had her running down the road because an old couple had completely bollocked a road junction manoeuvre and she was left stood there angrily staring at them, both now with their heads in their hands. And she did not react in an overly negative way (stand at doors / shout / gesticulate) etc..
I say, make use of your right hand. Here's what mine looked like after almost 100 miles of abuse just south of Worcester. No not that type. It would be lipstick if it were. Saucy!
The hand use I mean, is that whenever anyone, that is anyone, does anything to help you then shake their hands, give them a thumbs up or wave. Do not ever acknowledge negative action or behaviour.
An example was the truck driver who stuck low and slow on the back of my bike on an uphill grade. As soon as I saw the dropped kerb I pointed at it, dragged the bike up onto the footpath and gave him a wave with my right hand whilst ploughing on against the grade now on the path. Two loud but polite 'toots' sounded in thanks that had the hairs stood up on my back. And away he went.
Always recognise when people do good for you and say thank you. Every person touched in this way is more likely to pass it on to more people so over the day, months and years, like the butterfly effect suggests, the world just might change for the better.
Here's photo's of Trevor and Shelley from my story earlier today. One act of random kindness is all it takes to make the world a better place. I know Trevor doesn't want me to but I must. I will make donations to CRUK and RNLI in my way for both of them to pass on the goodness they were so willing to share with me. The best burgers 11 miles south of Worcester on the A38 and best hairdresser in Worcester for sure!
I've been riding for 43 hours, 46 minutes and 46 seconds. I have covered 395 miles (thats London or Edinburgh back to York) and used on cycling alone 35729 calories. This is exactly one third distance to the white whale (JOG).
Tomorrow will be another glorious and life affirming day.
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