It wouldn’t be too far a stretch of the imagination to call this an ACG ride as well as a Sportive, as 8 of us turned out bright and early Sunday morning, nearly all resplendent in our new kit. We even went so far as to get someone to take a photo of us before we set off…
Mind you, that was pretty much the last time we were all together. Best laid plans and all that…
We set off, en masse, nearly at the front of the line, at around 8.30am, and headed out along the ever so familiar road to Wedmore. We were doing fine until the kick up out onto Mudgeley Hill, where we started to fall apart as the gradient took its toll. Any plans to reunite the other side were scuppered somewhat when I discovered my PC wasn’t working and stopped to try and sort it out. Which didn’t work *grrr*, leaving me with just the clock to go by for the rest of the day, and also putting me behind the cows that were now crossing the road.
However, courtesy of all this, and even though I was sure I’d seen him go past me as I was attempting to fix things, as I finally set off again Dad caught me up and we cycled off together. I’d like to say this state of affairs lasted but I’m afraid it didn’t. We got separated again and that was that really – I have to admit that I just kept on going and headed off towards Glastonbury on my own. This is where the first hill of the day turned out to be. Now, I know my way around Glastonbury, and there are many ways to get out the other side that don’t involve going up a hill that big! It was brand new to me, and although I made it all the way up without walking, unlike some, I’ll probably not bother doing it again. “Get off and walk” said some old codger with his cup of tea watching us from the pavement. Motivational of him, no? It might well have been quicker but, ultimately, less satisfying I’m sure. You can keep the Old Wells Road, I’ll be sticking to the new one!
From there, I had a moment of deja vu as I passed our ToB spectator point as I headed for Somerton via Butleigh. This turned out to be more familiar than expected as I’ve done that bit in reverse with SH. I was, briefly, part of a little group here, some of whom it turns out work with hubby. There must have been some up in there somewhere as there was also a very nice downhill 🙂 I cycled past Andrew’s house in Somerton and waved mentally, what with there being no-one there to wave to in person.
I knew High Ham hill was coming, and wasn’t precisely dreading it, but I know it’s a long way up and though there may be several ways to get to the top, none of them are going to be easy! And it wasn’t. It was steeper than the usual route up, and did seem to go on for quite a while…but again, I managed to stay on the bike, and made it to the food stop, unattractively sweaty, but pleased. I grabbed half a banana from GW who was wo-manning the station, and saw IH and DMC briefly before heading off again. I really didn’t want to stop for long, because what with it being marginally chilly and a bit windy all day, it’s too easy to get cold. The possibly lovely descent was marred by both my nerves, and by encountering a large trailer-pulling tractor forcing us all to slow up behind him. Did I mention that whenever I try to properly enjoy a bend/corner I can be guaranteed to meet an obstacle of some sort? Not that I’m paranoid at all, but… At least by the time I passed the photographer on the bend I was under control and smiling 🙂
SH was marshalling at Ashcott, and we chatted very briefly as I waited to get across the main road. Then it was up School Hill – another way I never go – and out to Shapwick and beyond. After a well-marshalled wiggle through Catcott I was on the Levels, with the wind kind of behind me, pushing on. I was definitely on home turf here and quite enjoyed going as fast as I could for a while, all the way to Brent Knoll. This year we took in both ups – the little steep kick before the church, then the big up and over which was about as much fun as expected. For some reason there was a group of late middle aged male cyclists standing at the top watching everyone, and I was tempted to point out that it’s kinda rude to stare at suffering like that. Dad says they were still there later – there’s no accounting for folk… Those that can, do, those that can’t watch?
The second food stop was just the other side of the traffic lights at East Brent but since I was stuck at those lights for quite long enough I didn’t bother stopping again and just headed for home. I knew I only had two minor challenges remaining – the Webbington hill road, which we do all the time, and the hill up Notting Hill Way at Weare which I do a very good job of avoiding most of the time. However I did my best not to let either of them slow me down too much, though by now I knew a gold standard time was, as ever, out of my reach. As I cycled up the Long Hill to Clewer I overtook MD, and then reached my favourite stretch of road. I sprinted my way all the way home for the fun of it though, obviously, such things are more fun with an audience *grin*.
I cycled over the mats the same way I’d spent the day, on my own. I have to admit to quite a few “toys out of cot” thoughts on my way round since, let’s face it, if I want to cycle round here on my own I can, and do, do that any time. Plus the only way I was ever going to get a gold time was with peloton assistance. However as we all know I’m better at downhills and corners on my own, so it may well have been for the best. And allegedly I’m a grown up and therefore not allowed to throw such childish tantrums 😉 (*stamps foot quietly*).
However I’d eaten well, paced myself well, pushed myself harder than I usually do at a sportive, and felt like I’d had a pretty good ride, despite everything. I made my way to the HQ, where I found GB, his Rabbit, KG, and the Cheddar newbies, all having clearly been there quite a while, dagnamit! Time to sit around drinking exceedingly bad instant coffee as the others arrived in dribs and drabs, including IH and DMC who had managed to inadvertently add an extra 10 miles or so to the route. Now there’s keen for you! *grin*. Then Dad got in, not too cross with me, having had a pretty good ride himself, which was a bit of a relief. In fact I think everyone enjoyed it to a greater or lesser degree – the ACG done good! 🙂
I treated myself to a very lovely ten minute sports massage to try and help my left knee. I’d had to take a pink pill first thing and again towards the end, so I figured it was a good idea. Apparently he could feel some ligament damage and he worked on that as well as explaining it all to me properly and giving me some exercises to do to help. I think I’m going to try and find the money to go and get a proper treatment from him as some point because he was brill! (And I can’t believe I just used the word “brill”…).
Finally Dad and I cycled home around the reservoir in leisurely fashion, before performing the necessary ablutions, grabbing my family and hitting The Lamb for rehydration therapy. Sadly, due to other people having other commitments, it was just us, but that wasn’t going to stop us. Besides which, I felt like I’d earnt it 🙂
Cycling time: 3:55:19 hours
Distance: 64 miles
Avs: 16.5 mph
ODO: 5968
I’ve managed to find some results here so my time is accurate. The rest is fairly accurate guesstimate based on those who had working PCs. I’ve now replaced the battery in the sender unit and it’s working fine – typical! I was the 2nd home in my category, and only 3 minutes off being first, which makes a change. Silver time, and silver place. Mind you, the older women were faster than us “youngsters”, making me 4th woman overall. At least I got a silver…and if I could have shaved 10 minutes off…oooh, close but no cigar!! *grin*.