Comfortably Numb

Up early Sat morning, some shopping to do today and a few other odd jobs. No training on Friday after a hectic day at work..I'm travelling most of next week to the UK and so today needs to have a good session fitted in. Bike still not here although I did get an email from dealer offering sincere apologies and says he'll send me some extra stuff although he still doesn't know where my bike is....a lot of good accessories will do me without a bike.
Idea was 2 x 20km circuits and see how comfortable it was. Naturally still on my mountain bike so more difficult than it should be once the new super bike is on the scene .

I set off and its bucking freezing cold...really really cold. Fingers and ears are numb in first 5 minutes. I had 2 expressos, 2 weetabix and a powerbar before I went out. Apart from the cold its pretty easy going. I'm into my stride after 4km. Up the hedgehog hill no bother and then a little slower into Ohain but no real puffing or anything. Down big hill into Ransbeck and I can no longer feel my feet at the front....its like they have been chopped off. Round by Waterloo, attacked by what looks like a gerbil on a lead with old lady attached(scabby fur coat on, probably made of her former dogs). I just hope she doesn't understand Glaswegian swearing or I've ruined my countries reputation with the locals.

Down the big straight on the N5 road and the wind is right into my face and my feet are now no longer part of me. they are just lumps attached to the pedals with no feeling, it must be minus 3 or 4 plus the wind chill factor. I get back to the last hill on the first lap, up without any real issue , my heart rate hasn't really been above 160 the whole way round and I haven't felt any problem apart from the cold. I get level with the house and decide to throw the towel in as my feet cannot possibly take another round. I'll do it again this afternoon or tomorrow morning....

I get in and its agony..really unbelieveable as my feet thaw out....time was 54:31 , not bad given I was thinking and probably OK to do a second circuit.....I really really need my new bike. I'll post my HRM and altitude change stats from my watch later. You''ll be able to laugh as my heart rate shoots up with the climbs....