On Friday, again, I cycled to work. I could get used to this. Well, used to this apart from the fact I'm probably not back with that client until next holiday season. Sigh. I'm wondering if I could cycle to another client, but I will have to crack the whole 'arrive looking like a train wreck' thing first. With this in mind I have now had all the ginger strawlike breaking hair chopped off. Or mostly chopped off, so now it's ginger strawlike toothbrush. It's actually an improvement... After work I had to collect new contact lenses so cycled to Specsavers and then realised I didn't have a padlock with me. Did you know if you peer through a Specsavers window in a bike helmet and wave like an idiot they'll actually come out and be really nice to you? Lovely people...
The Melodeon Master had a long distance late night gig on Friday night and, mindful of his health and wellbeing, I suggested joining our local bike shop for their Saturday morning MTB ride. Or, to be fair, I said 'I'm going do you want to come too?' And he did.
We met the lovely Castle Bikes team outside, um, Castle Bikes on Saturday morning and they all looked rather like they knew what they were doing. This was probably because they actually do know what they're doing. We don't. Eek!
We set off towards Rudry Common and went uphill. Then uphill again, then more uphill. How far can one go uphill before finding downhill? Absolutely miles, apparently... Mostly those who knew what they were doing (everybody else) went in front, then the Melodeon Master and me, and the lovely Anthony at the back to make sure we didn't fall off. Or wimp out, presumably. When we got to one uphill track through the woods they suggested I went in front, followed by the Melodeon Master. Only half an hour in and promoted already! We soon discovered that this was so that we could thwack our way through all the sodden ferns, leaves, overhanging branches, brambles and Generally Wet Stuff. Probably some sort of initiation...
Everybody else could cycle up all the tracks - we didn't. I'm obviously not as fit as I thought I was... We did, however, stop for chats, and sheltering under trees when the serious rain got started, and jelly babies (yay!) and a bit of peering at the Melodeon Master's forks which were apparently jammed or airless or something. I'm only just learning that a bike actually has forks, so to discover they have air in them came as a bit of a surprise. [Memo to self: Really MUST do a bike maintenance course].
And Nigel kindly let air out of my tyres after I'd bounced down a particularly stony track - apparently it's easier with less air in them. Who knew?
I did wimp out a bit - I ran a stony downwards track, and sat in a safe place while we watched the boys did a big swooping up and down bit.
So here's a 'Spot The Anthony' picture: Clues to help you? Of course... He's coming from the top right to the middle left, he's got a yellow rucksack, a very pretty white bike, he's a bit blurry because he's going so quick, and he's behind a tree...
After 26k the Melodeon Master and I bailed out... the rest of them went on riding on trails and we headed home on roads and the cycle track... We waved goodbye to Alf, Nick, Nigel, Anthony, Fiona and Rachel and pedalled off up yet another hill. And walked the next one because we were out of sight...
Was it really only last Wednesday that Bradley Wiggins won his gold medal? It feels like a lifetime and some 17 gold medals ago... Just loving this stamp, haven't actually bought any yet because of the lack of a padlock on Friday, but I will...
Given the incredible hard work and many sacrifices our Olympians have put in, I've decided I must adopt their attitude if I'm to be at my best to compete in a triathlon in September.
With this in mind, I will drink more water and less wine.
Or drink more water, anyway.
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