An interesting article about a woman who took a vow of celibacy and lives as a man in Albania.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/05/women-celibacy-...

Thank you all for the messages of condolence you've sent me after the death of my son. I have no idea if I'll be allowed to attend the funeral, not that it worries me that much, except it would have been nice to be with my ex and daughter to give them support. The reason I don't care about going is that it will be staged managed to show my daughter in law as the wronged, long suffering wife who is now a single parent. The fact that we believe she drove my son to suicide is probably another reason I keep away from her, I might not be answerable for my actions.

Hi folks, after such touching commentaries concerning Seven years of Bike (perhaps we could get John Williams to do the soundtrack?)I hate to say I probably won't write one tonight. Been a bit of a busy day driving up to Wales to take my ex to Cardiff to buy a new suite, cooking lunch for her(my suggestion)and then going to see my daughter and doing a ride with her in the afternoon. She's still not back to her old self so I really appreciated her giving her time and energy to indulge me a ride. Then driving back and sorting out two rapacious moggies.

Sorry folks, ran out of steam tonight - have worked two rather long days and can't stay awake.

I've just got home from the Arctic Circle, where Yorkshire is or thereabouts - actually, it's been mostly warm and sunny. We met up with Mads on Friday evening and went out for a carvery, where we remembered absent friends from last year and drank a toast to them.

An article about a rarely mentioned group, transmen.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/30/trans-top-sur...

I've done another of Charlotte's Tale so haven't had a chance to do Bike tonight. Hopefully tomorrow should have normal service returned.

Angharad

I think a well written article.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/19/laverne...

Hope the link works.

The first comes with pix of some very attractive trans women.

Sorry folks, been up in Lunnun all day as part of my training for the Tour de France (I'm not riding it, just helping to make it happen). Walked miles around the Olympic Park and didn't get home until late evening, so I'm afraid I'm too tired to do Bike tonight. Hopefully if I can wake myself up by tomorrow, I'll try and do the next exciting(yawn),thought provoking (duh!) episode of BCTS own long (winded?)running soap. I'm sure you can't wait.

This turned up on the Guardian website and I found it very sad. There are some links to reports and also some photos of the 'girls' working as prostitutes. Sometimes I think I need to count my blessings more often. The intolerance they have had or still receive is beyond my experience no wonder the health issues, substance abuse and other problems are so prevalent.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/18/transge...

Sorry, keep falling asleep, had my needy friend on the phone for an hour, so I'm off to bed.

Hopefully better luck tomorrow.

Angharad

Back in January 2011, I couldn't believe I'd written episode 1234 of Bike. I wondered if I'd get to 2345. Now I know the answer. Why? is probably best not asked. Astonishingly, there are one or two people still reading it - still, there's no accounting for taste.

My best wishes to all my readers and thank you for encouraging and supporting me this far. I'm not making any predictions about 3456 even I might have run out of ideas by then - or will I?

Hugs,

Angharad

Some bits from the Guardian about a transgender person seeking election in the Indian elections, and references to the change in the law in India recognising transgender and hijra(eunuchs) people.

Sorry folks, Bonz is out and Whizz is refusing to dictate the story to me, so I'm not going to do a bike tonight. If the truth be told, I'm too tired to be arsed to think enough to write anything coherent.

Thanks for all the comments and kudos for my short story, 'let him wear a skirt then.'

Hopefully, normal service will resume tomorrow. If you're desperate for Bike, might suggest reading some back numbers, I've been doing so for a few weeks and apart from the typos and other mistakes, I've quite enjoyed the experience.