Two ride updates

Well, I have been busy!
Since joining the gym two weeks ago, I have now tried a variety of classes and have settled on Body Combat and Body Balance on a Monday. I've tried Body Jam on a Thursday but wasn't too keen so think I'll give Body Attack a go next week and that might become a regular! Loving the classes though, they're so full of energy and I think it's good to do something other than spin the legs, so to speak.
My friend Alex and I went out for a ride on Sunday 15th Feb. We wanted to get over the 20 mile mark so set off towards Tring Garden Centre just after lunch time. We made it there without too many problems and only one large hill. After a lovely cup of tea, headed round to Tring and up through the high street before heading back down, through the rain, and into Aylesbury. Total mileage - 23!!
I decided on Monday of this week to take a day off work today to go for a ride. I set off at half 9 and made my way through a few villages - Quainton, Gransborough, Cublington and Weedon - before finally getting home after 37 miles. This is the furthest I've been so far and as I only got home an hour ago, so far I'm feeling ok! We shall see what later brings.
There's also been a couple of rides to work, so all in all I'm quite active at the moment.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE head to the link below and sponsor me. Anything you can spare at the moment would be gratefully received. Thanks xxxxxxxxxx

A bit more about me.....

Despite cycling to work this week in the snow, not much else is going on so I thought I'd write a little bit about me for those that don't know me. (Word is getting out about my blog, so not everyone will know me personally!)
I'm going to be 30 this Easter. I'm a bit scared about it, but I tend to talk about my birthday for months before it happens so it doesn't come as a shock. I live with my boyf, Graham, in our lovely flat in Aylesbury. No kids, no wedding plans - before anyone asks!!
So the reason I'm doing this ride......................
For the past 11 years I've been trying to lose about a stone in weight. I've never been hugely overweight, but enough for me not to be totally comfortable with myself. I've alternated between Slimming World and Weight Watchers, but never really managed to lose a sizeable amount.
Last June (2008) I was sitting in our WW class and a lady who had joined just after Christmas had announced that in 6 months she'd lost 4st 12lbs in weight - I'd managed to lose a grand total of 2.5lbs in the same time! I was so ashamed.
Having read numerous 'diet' books, one thing that had registered with me was how bad refined sugar is for the body and how it is possible to give it up. I decided that what I had been doing before hadn't worked, so I might as well give this a go. I'm not one for 'faddy' diets, but this seemed possible.
It said in my book that it takes 3 weeks for the cravings to go, so I figured that if I could last 3 weeks then I'd crack it. I managed it and then managed a further 6 months of checking ever food label and staying away from biscuits and cakes.
In the space of 4 months, I'd managed to slim down from 10st 8.5 to 8st 12 - size 14/16 to size 8/10. I'd surpassed my wildest dreams of ever getting below 9st.
Anyway, after finally losing the weight I decided I needed a way of keeping the weight off. I sent away for the forms for a couple of rides and decided that The Big Heart Bike Ride was the one I wanted to do.
The charities this ride are supporting are fantastic and I do have a link with HEART UK. So I received the forms one Saturday and sent them off to ensure my place on the following Tuesday. Bit of a spur of the minute decision but I know it will be an amazing adventure and something everyone on the ride will never forget.
If you fancy joining us on the ride I think there are still places available or if you wish to sponsor me just following the link below.
My 'before and after' photos are at the top of this post!