Yellow jacket

I received an email from the owners of the Straw House today saying, among other things, they have had difficulty sourcing a cycling top in Italy, but hope to get me one when they are in France.  Ha! - they may have to end up buying it off Trade Me or from a local bike shop!  I hope though they do find a bike shop.  It adds authenticity to be purchased in France.  This top (subject to it being purchased - may or may not be my riding top for Taupo).  It will depend on the fit. 

Clothing is an issue.    I am reluctant to buy too much cycling gear because the intention is the size I am now I don't intend to be in November.  Of course I can sell gear on Trade Me or give it to the Salvation Army. 

Despite the fact that I have a new yellow jacket and it is O for awesome, I decided that today was still a bit wet to ride. Instead I went for a walk to the "dump" and back. The "dump" walk is essentially a circuit walk return from my house. It's a decent walk and one I used to do when I was preparing for the Milford Track. Today it took me about 2 hours. I think it used to take me about 2 1/2 hours. So, that feels like a good measure of progress re my fitness. It's a nice walk, includes sheep and ducks but still quite close to the main town so not too remote.


I decided I really did need to yellow jacket for safety reasons.  Also, the other week this guy called out to me in the street as I was heading off on my ride and asked me if I was cold - I said "oh, I'll warm up"  But even after 2 hours on the bike I was quite cold.  So, I felt it was necessity to get a jacket.

The yellow jacket is a Louis Garneau Electra jacket.  I can take the arms off it and just wear the vest.  Its not only functional in terms of safety, but light and definitely takes some of the wind.    It's XXL like a lot of my gear.  It will be sweet to move sizes.  I think I probably look like a giant highlight marker on a bike - at least highlight marker that moves.  Th jacket is fitting round my waist, but importantly there is room in the arms.

Right now I'm wearing some "trackies" that I haven't been able to wear for some years - so that feels good.  I last wore them when I used to box with TC.  So, it serves as a marker I'm back to the weight I was then.

Next few weeks are critical - in terms of reaching a significant milestone.  Psychologically, once I crack that, then while kilo wise there is still some way to go, then I know it will actually be like cracking a concrete wall.