Alida

WOW - must have been an impressive cup of coffee The only thing is I got 219 on my old Polar which was just the normal watch and strap (so I actually had to look at my watch to see the HR). Got a new one recently (the one with all the bells and whistles, speed and cadence sensor etc - thank you Santa) and on the info I got on the download to my computer, I got up to 214. Having said that, let me also say that technology is sometimes not all that and it does have false readings etc etc - who knows. Was just putting in my five cents about the HRs. Anyway, even if my resting heart rate was 28 like Big Mig's, the hills would still hurt like hell

That's what the Polar told me Have had it up around 210 plus on a couple of occaisions (mostly doing intervals - they always kill me) - but then again, that's what the Polar told me. So I guess it depends on how accurate my heart rate monitor is?

Resting is about 56 at the moment - the lowest I've ever taken is 53 when I was uber-fit (well in my opinion anyway ). Maxed at 219 one day doing intervals - but then it drops back down to "normal" pretty quickly too. I'm going with muddy p - some of us just run on a higher revving motor.

I'm completely baffled by people that ride without helmets - no matter how "slowly" you are going, when your skull hits tar the tar wins. I had a nasty crash a few months ago and thought that I hadn't actually hit my head because I didn't even have a headache. When I got home and checked out my helmet it was cracked all the way across the top - Rudy Project saved my skull. When I just started cycling, my hubby said to me if you have a R50 brain then get yourself a R50 helmet so I always try and buy the best quality helmet I can afford. Wonder if riding without a helmet means that you have no brain?

Just got the best mental pic of what I'd look like if I followed that advice Pantani

I've got a Sella Italia ladies saddle - not the cheapest saddle around but definately worth every penny.

Thanks - Cyclesure looks good. Just wanted to hear what people who are insured with them have to say.

Hi there ... Right, I'm looking at insurance for our bikes and have looked at Cyclesure and Pedalguard. Is that it for cycle insurance or are there other companies to ask for quotes? Has anyone actually tried to claim from their insurers? Did you have any hassles etc? I don't want to go with an insurer that has 200 different reasons why you can't claim.

New Year's Eve - no plans yet. My hangovers always stick around for days so I try and avoid them As for resolutions ... they also stick around for days so I try and avoid them too.

It took me nearly three hours to do 65kms this weekend so not very soon!! My friend in PE has tried hard to get me to enter - we're going down to support him and then we'll see. My hubby has started training for 2008's Ironman so I'll probably end up getting into it too.

Ooh ouch! Have a friend in PE doing the Ironman too. Best of luck - it's tough but they tell me that when you're done you feel like the king of the world!

At this stage I'm just grateful that I can actually ride again I'm just comparing the time it used to take me to do 65kms and the time it took me this weekend I really just need to spend time in the saddle which is pretty much the plan for the festive season. Wake up - bike - breakfast - back to sleep!

Saturday - 65kms in (wait for it) 2h50. Sunday - 65kms in 2h33 Ok Ok I know it's not that fast - first time out on the bike since I got wiped off of it in August