August 2024 - Saying goodbye to an old friend.

Sometimes it’s hard to say goodbye to a treasured possession and sometimes it is more of a knowing that it’s time to let go. 

Today was one of those days. 

Today, my carbon road bike ‘Ava’ - A Liv Avail Advanced, went to a new home and I wasn’t at all sad. 

Ava arrived via the cycle to work scheme in 2016, she was ordered just after I won the opportunity to complete Ride London - the 100 mile, cyclists equivalent to the London marathon. 

I didn’t have the confidence to do 100 miles on my gravel bike (or cyclocross as it was known as then) so I convinced myself that the only way I could get around within the time limit, would be on a much lighter bike. So after much research and a little nudging from my Nan, the paperwork was completed and the bike ordered  

When she arrived, she was beautiful and so very light. An absolute dream to ride. 

In fact, we have gone a long way together (over 5000 miles according to Strava) - Initially they were short training rides, then Ride London, a number of laps of the Isle of Wight, raising money for Naomi house. There was London to Brighton with the humongous Beacon hill, the many big hills as we crossed the country completing the Sea to Sea, and finally my longest ride ever from Winchester to Brighton and most of the way back. 

It has been a blast! 

But apart from a short spell (2 sessions) on a turbo trainer during the 2020 lockdown, she has not been ridden at all, and that was just a real shame. 

She wasn’t ready to be an exhibit and I don’t have room to have a bike museum, so it was time to get her adopted. 

It took a long time to write and post the advert, but a very short time to receive a response (about 10 minutes I think) and within 24 hours Kirsty had been to see her, been on a quick test ride and decided that this was the bike for her. 

I really do hope Kirsty has as much fun riding this bike as I have and that she covers at least another trouble free (and hopefully pain free) 5000 miles   

Enjoy your new adventures Ava (and Kirsty) and thank you for all the fun times we have had together.