I’ve been thinking a lot about lost love lately, and not just because of Valentine’s day. Not the dramatic, heart‑shattered kind you see in Hollywood films. No handwritten letters in the rain, no running through airports. My story is far less glamorous and, honestly, a bit embarrassing.
Because the love I abandoned…
was left, locked up in a shed.
In my garden.
For months… ok, years.
My bike.
We’ve been through so much together.That fateful Beastie Triathlon, early‑morning commutes, late‑night rides home, the kind of Glasgow weather that makes you question every life choice you’ve ever made. She’s carried me across the city, kept me fit, kept me sane, and saved me a small fortune in bus fares (which seem to be increasing rapidly every few months). And yet, somewhere between a lingering December cold, trips to Athens and Copenhagen, and the general winter slump, I have left her there; cold, lonely, and forgotten.
No way to treat something that’s brought me so much joy.
But the days are getting lighter again (unless you’re in Aberdeen, where the sun has taken a record breaking absence from the skies making the Granite City look even more grey), and I’m finally feeling ready to get back in the saddle. I’ve managed to keep off the 20lbs I lost last year (hence why I am still blogging, and only just), but it’s time to show my body a bit more love; the kind that comes from moving, breathing, pedalling, and feeling like myself again. I long for the days when I was a Try Athlete, but no more trying; it’s time to be a doer.
And honestly, with the bus creeping towards £6 a day, cycling isn’t just good for my heart. It’s good for my wallet (or my most recent wallet, as I keep losing them).
New season, new gear
If I’m going to rekindle this relationship properly, I need to do it right. My old commuting kit has seen better days, and Glasgow’s weather isn’t exactly known for its generosity. Thankfully, adidas have stepped in and gifted me some new gear to help me get rolling again.
The bit I’m weirdly excited about?
The shoes.
After coming off my bike a couple of years ago, and the long, frustrating wait for surgery and rehab that followed, I still fear coming off my bike. While wet pedals weren’t to blame, anyone who’s cycled in Glasgow knows that “slippery” isn’t a possibility; it’s a guarantee.I need a good pair of outdoor shoes to match Glasgow’s inclement weather.
That’s why I’ve gone for the adidas Five Ten Trailcross LT Mountain Bike Shoes which are made with a breathable mesh upper and water drainage system that offers quick-drying comfort (much needed). The reviews are exactly what I needed to hear:
“Great fit, true to size, good grip on sole and look fab!.”
“These MTB shoes are super comfy, great to walk in and they are softer and more flexible than most mountain bike shoes..”
“Still the best grip on flat pedals.”
Exactly the kind of reassurance I want when the roads are shiny and the sky is filled with ever darkening rain clouds.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about self‑love
Of course, it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day if I didn’t show someone else a bit of love too. So I’ve picked out a wee something for Teresa from the range of adidas Valentine’s gifts . Thoughtful, stylish, and not in a panic‑bought a supermarket bouquet on the 14th at 5.58pm.Not this year, anyway.
If you’re looking for ideas, the collection’s here. I hope Teresa likes the shoes I bought her (don’t worry, she doesn’t read my blog).
Back to the beginning
So that’s the plan. A quick check of the gears, brakes, chain, and tyres. And, if I’m honest, a quiet check‑in with my confidence too. I’ve lost a lot over the past couple of years, along with fitness and friends, but getting back on my bike feels like a way to start gaining things again.
This Valentine’s Day, I’m choosing to pursue a lost love.
She’s been waiting patiently in the shed.
And I think it’s time we got back together.
Huge thanks to adidas for again inviting me to be a part of the adidas blogger community and for gifting these items.
