The Sunday best

Well, I had it all worked out this weekend - my beloved had arranged to treat me to a massage on Saturday and she was having her friend over on Sunday that meant I was free to go off and have a lovely long ride into the Surrey hills. Bliss awaited.

All week I was quietly dreaming of a blonde masseuse gently pummelling me into submission whilst I drifted off to the scent of lavender and, indeed it was a wonderful 90 minutes of relaxation only (a little) spoilt by the fact that the blonde turned out to be dark, and about 4 feet tall - it was like having a squirrel scuttling around me from shoulder to toe, little claws n'all.

On top of this a bit of over excitement a the Oval traffic lights on Friday resulted in a buggered left knee - no blonde on Saturday, no ride on Sunday - damnation!

So, after a lovely Greek roast chicken (believe me this is the ONLY way to roast a chicken - the most low maintenance, high flavour yielding recipe known to man) and a particularly nice bottle of claret (Chateau Larose-Trintaudon, 2001, actually) I thought I would leave the ladies cooing over futurestar and give my 3rd love some attention with a bucket, sponge and degreaser.

I have to say that I F@$%ING LOVE THIS BIKE! To me it is perfection and I feel that I should show it off to you dear reader as I have only ever mentioned it in passing rather than allowed you to bask in it's beauty.

Now, the first thing you will notice is, no doubt, the wheels - yes, they are Zipp 303's - the very same wheels I bleated on about endlessly in 2009. They are both a living symbol of my slack blogging and also a living symbol of my reckless attitude to the financial responsibilities of fatherhood. I apologise for not telling you earlier (and to futurestar for blowing his inheritance). Next you will note the classic geometry of the frame - Extreme C - it's perfection not only because it is simple but also because fatties are unable to sully it's beauty due to a rider weight limit (90kg). All of this is kitted with Campag Record (who needs 11 gears), ITM bars and seatpost topped off with a Prologo saddle.

However, if you think I'm bragging a bit too much click here for the non plus ultra of bike braggers - chapeau mon braggeur (well, he is from Jersey)