I'm finally back on the bike after a 5 year gap in riding as a result of a wierd bastard medical condition that messed up my heart, lungs, kidneys and lymphatic system.

I've had tests for leukaemia, bone marrow cancer, and other nasties that have so far come back clear over the years but I have had cripling joint pain and had several courses of steroids. It's been a kick in the nuts, especially since I took a turn for the worse after my little lad was born.  I've tried to suck it up and deal with it thinking it would get better within a few months.   Steriods are the debil.  It's been a bit of a bastard and the steroids have messed me up goodstyle. I'm sick of being a lardy fat git having been so fit for so many years.  I've had enough of medical excuses for being a fat bastard and I want to be able to run and bike again like I used to;

I still have the medical condition but I'm hacked off with waiting for something to happen and being cautious.  Being a fat unhealthy steroid addled turd is not for me and I swear down that being a lard arse is way worse, and probably not helping the medical condition.  It's not in my nature to be a wuss.

I rebuilt my MTBs and I'm back riding. Have been for a few weeks.  It feels bloody brilliant.  Tonight we did a full on 10 mile single track circuit up and around the Saddleworth Moors with a 2000ft climb (those of you who have been there know it's "quite hilly").  I've lost my bottle for the insane downhill stuff I used to do, bit the muscle memory is there, the technical ability is still there. Unfortunately the cardio engine has been in rapid decine for some time.  The rides are hard and very challenging... I'm riding with the same guys I used to ride with but they never stopped.

Wish me luck......I need to kick the belly into touch.

This is my declaration of war on the condition, war on the belly and war on the hills.

I nailed a tough old ride tonight and I now know I can do this.

Down with the lard.

Well done fatty

Call it while you can....... .

Hope so.

Good luck pal, pah medical conditions who needs them anyway.

I love having chest x-rays, I don't tell them nothing and wait for the after action chat, which usually goes like this.

Dr, we found something serious on your examination, deadpan serious facial expression.

Me, really, what?

Dr, you seem to have a lot of scar tissue in your lungs, and we'd like to look into that.

Me, Oh that'll be the sarcoidosis, don't worry about it, no cure for it and I'm still alive.

Tony

Thanks for the insults and encouragement chaps......