Post by Steph on Jul 21, 2017 9:31:13 GMT
Hey everyone, it's been too long. Life has changed a bit since I was last regularly posting on here, but for those following me on Strava you know I've still been getting out on the bike when I can
So what's been going on with me:
Most interesting update for you guys is probably the fact that I started working in the cycles department at Decathlon Wednesbury a few weeks ago and I have to say I am absolutely loving it there. Building, checking, talking and selling bikes all day. Hoping to start Cytech training soon so I'll be a fully-fledged cycling mechanic, and get involved in the fixing of bikes too.
Currently only part time, 4 shifts a week, but almost certainly going to be moving to full-time sometime in Aug/Sep due to staff leaving etc. Will probably eventually look to transfer to Coventry as it's my local store (3 mile commute total vs 27 miles each way to Wednesbury), having said that I have a feeling I'll find it hard to leave the Wednesbury store as I feel like I've already really settled in with the other guys there, and get on really well with them all. We'll see what happens though.
Biggest update personal life-wise is that I'm getting married a week today So that is kind of taking priority at the moment. 2 more shifts left at work then I'm off for 3 weeks. Hoping to get a few rides in before the big day but depends on time and weather. Lately I've been getting up at 5:20am for short rides before the other half gets up for work. Married on Fri 28th, off to Matlock for mini honeymoon on Saturday till Monday, back for a few days before going to Devon with the entire family (13 adults, 3 kids and 2 dogs ) for a week. This was all booked before wedding, before proposal in fact, but has worked out nicely.
That basically covers the 2 main events. But a short recap would be: Aug 15 - Got job at OneStop, Sep 15 - Moved in with b/f, June 16 - Got myself a Planet X RTD 90 full-carbon bike, Jan 17 - Left OneStop, Feb 17 - Got engaged, attempted to start own photography business with semi-success, July 17 - Got job at Decathlon, put photography sort of on hold, prepared for wedding.
And not quite so positive, for those that remember when I was knocked off in October 2014, I'm still suffering from injuries from that day. My left wrist/hand still gives me issues with pain and cramping. I still suffer with neck pain on a semi-regular basis, and worst of all is I'm still experiencing 10-15 headaches a day at the exact spot that my head/helmet impacted the ground. I've been on about 9 different medications, had physiotherapy, acupuncture, seen an osteopath, had 2 MRIs and am currently waiting to have an occipital nerve injection in the back of my head in an attempt to lessen or stop the headaches (booked for end of Aug.)
I'm also still suffering from bad anxiety when out on the bike, which stops me going out on busy/main roads and at busier times of day (another reason for the early rides on country roads), so I'm booked for a neurological/psychological assessment on Aug 15th with a view to start a course a therapy to help combat that.
So yeah, I've had a lot going on, but hopefully after wedding things will calm down and get back to (almost) normal. Certainly plan on keeping up with the cycling especially with the new job.
So what's been going on with me:
Most interesting update for you guys is probably the fact that I started working in the cycles department at Decathlon Wednesbury a few weeks ago and I have to say I am absolutely loving it there. Building, checking, talking and selling bikes all day. Hoping to start Cytech training soon so I'll be a fully-fledged cycling mechanic, and get involved in the fixing of bikes too.
Currently only part time, 4 shifts a week, but almost certainly going to be moving to full-time sometime in Aug/Sep due to staff leaving etc. Will probably eventually look to transfer to Coventry as it's my local store (3 mile commute total vs 27 miles each way to Wednesbury), having said that I have a feeling I'll find it hard to leave the Wednesbury store as I feel like I've already really settled in with the other guys there, and get on really well with them all. We'll see what happens though.
Biggest update personal life-wise is that I'm getting married a week today So that is kind of taking priority at the moment. 2 more shifts left at work then I'm off for 3 weeks. Hoping to get a few rides in before the big day but depends on time and weather. Lately I've been getting up at 5:20am for short rides before the other half gets up for work. Married on Fri 28th, off to Matlock for mini honeymoon on Saturday till Monday, back for a few days before going to Devon with the entire family (13 adults, 3 kids and 2 dogs ) for a week. This was all booked before wedding, before proposal in fact, but has worked out nicely.
That basically covers the 2 main events. But a short recap would be: Aug 15 - Got job at OneStop, Sep 15 - Moved in with b/f, June 16 - Got myself a Planet X RTD 90 full-carbon bike, Jan 17 - Left OneStop, Feb 17 - Got engaged, attempted to start own photography business with semi-success, July 17 - Got job at Decathlon, put photography sort of on hold, prepared for wedding.
And not quite so positive, for those that remember when I was knocked off in October 2014, I'm still suffering from injuries from that day. My left wrist/hand still gives me issues with pain and cramping. I still suffer with neck pain on a semi-regular basis, and worst of all is I'm still experiencing 10-15 headaches a day at the exact spot that my head/helmet impacted the ground. I've been on about 9 different medications, had physiotherapy, acupuncture, seen an osteopath, had 2 MRIs and am currently waiting to have an occipital nerve injection in the back of my head in an attempt to lessen or stop the headaches (booked for end of Aug.)
I'm also still suffering from bad anxiety when out on the bike, which stops me going out on busy/main roads and at busier times of day (another reason for the early rides on country roads), so I'm booked for a neurological/psychological assessment on Aug 15th with a view to start a course a therapy to help combat that.
So yeah, I've had a lot going on, but hopefully after wedding things will calm down and get back to (almost) normal. Certainly plan on keeping up with the cycling especially with the new job.