Twin pump, twin thermoblock, programmable temperature and pour settings. All good, but most importantly the ability to make great espresso. I now have a new toy...
I treated myself to a little Gaggia machine when I moved out to the 'burbs about 5 years ago. Poor wee little thing has worked it's little heart out brewing many a long machiatto but is getting very close the being put out to pasture.
For work I am currently stationed away from my normal branch. This is a recent roster change that I am not too happy about due to a number of reasons that I won't go into here. The good thing is that it gives me different roads to ride on when commuting. Nothing like a bit of variety to break things up. One particular bit of terrain that I now get to cover is known as the Gorge. It is exactly as the name suggests. The road that takes you into the Gorge is simple. One side is a very wide bend, that could almost be thought of as a straight road. The other side involves a couple of reasonable bends, which wouldn't normally be an issue, but can be when hitting speeds of 60km/hr on the descent. I want to make it clear that the Gorge is far from the toughest of climbs, while quite steep on both sides it is relatively short. So what is it about the Gorge. For me it has provided a good bench mark for my cycling fitness. Back when I first started on the bike it took all my ef...
The mornings are now getting colder and darker. Not anything like winter, at least it is still dry, but the temperature is now down into the single digits. It feels nice to walk out in, the air is still and there is that feeling that the day is going to warm up into something perfect for training. Unfortunately it is already cold enough to affect my Raynaud's. I've mentioned it a few times before, but this morning I have a long ride planned. In regard to trying to maintain some sort of blood flow to my fingers I have to delay the start until the temperature has climbed into double figures. Yes I wear thermals, windbreakers, other warm gear, gloves, double and even triple glove, but when temperature drops below 10 degrees, none of this can save my fingers. Already I am missing summer, and the weather today is so not anything like winter.
It's interesting how easy it suddenly becomes to prioritise aspects of life. I have missed plenty of training in the last week, but for the first time in my life, it really, and I mean really doesn't matter. That's not to say I am throwing training on the back burner. Far from it. Of course I am finding it hard working out how life now all fits together, but I am thoroughly enjoying the process. Training is now just part of the puzzle. What was a very easy load a couple of weeks ago, is now just manageable. This is what I anticipated. As things settle down and I work out of few things the training load should again become much easier. At the moment it looks like I will be able to get in all the key sessions, so in reality it is going fine.
With the Olympics coming up I was expecting a big-screen tele and a hard drive recorder!
ReplyDeleteNoice! I am sure you will be very happy together.
ReplyDeleteI treated myself to a little Gaggia machine when I moved out to the 'burbs about 5 years ago. Poor wee little thing has worked it's little heart out brewing many a long machiatto but is getting very close the being put out to pasture.
Shhhhhh, don't tell it though.
Now that's probably better than any new tri toys!
ReplyDelete