OK, one trade show under my belt.  Giving and Living Trade Show, done.  It was a pretty good day, but a long one, and I’m hanging now.  Still, I shall endeavour to at the very least start this…but don’t be surprised if this happens…

Was it only yesterday?  Apparently it was…  Blimey.  Well, let’s boil it down to essentials then.  I’m not sure my powers of recall are up to much right now!

It was cold.  But oh so pretty.  The kind of day where cyclists wrap up in many layers underneath warm jackets in primary colours, which look particularly attractive in the winter sun under clear blue skies.  When toe warmers under overshoes and over winter socks does not seem like overkill.  Where anything you own with the name “winter” in the title comes out.  Winter hat, winter collar, winter socks, winter gloves…

There were 11 of us. Not quite a record – that stands at 13 – but an altogether unprecedented turnout for this time of year, especially with ice being a distinct possibility.  Martyn had brought along four of his friends from the Burnham end of the world – including Paul and Trevor, with the addition of Jeannie and Mark (apologies if the names are wrong!).  We had a newbie – Jon.  Then me, Grant, Stephen, and Chris.  The 11th came later, meeting us at Sweets, because he’d failed to read my oh so informative email and check the start time ;).  You know who you are…Steve!

As I believe I’ve mentioned before, Martyn isn’t slow, and he doesn’t have slow friends.  Some of them are <start whisper>tri-athletes<end whisper>!  To be fair, we don’t dislike them because they’re triathletes.  We dislike them because they’re better than us! 😉 *grin*.  Jon turned out to be just as fast, and it is not news that Chris, aka Figgy, is a whippet.  Which left me, Grant, and Stephen doing our best to keep up with varying degrees of success at different times.  Let’s just say it’s a good thing it wasn’t a hilly ride.  I can, mostly, keep up on the flat.  Until you get to consistently doing above 23mph or so, or hit anything even vaguely resembling a gradient.  Then I’ve had it…!  I’ll be the one falling off the back waving you all goodbye.

We took a long loop of a route, down the more major, more likely to be gritted roads, to get to Sweets.  It was hard work.  But, like a slinky, though we stretched out and pinged back together, the G continued to stand for Group.  And even though it was hard work, and it was cold, it was impossible not to enjoy being out there like that.  Me, my bike, sunshine, friends, and an elegant sufficiency of wheels to suck, provided I could get on the back of one ;).  The new bottom bracket does make the Cube feel smoother to ride, though the baggy chain means that changing gear is a slightly delayed affair, and its tendency to change gear as and when it likes adds a certain frisson to the act of riding.  But it was all working, and thanks to my choice of layers, I remained in touch with my extremities, down to and including my toes, up to and including my ears.  All good really :).

And here we are, at the important part, the coffee stop.  The photo opportunity, what with it being pretty much impossible to take photos on the move with winter gloves on, let alone get the camera out of a pocket in the first place!  So here we are…

A still life, with teapot and Trevor…

Steve, having finally joined us, with Trevor…

Chris eating, as ever…  Jon, the newbie, will he be back?…  And Grant, who was hoping the camera was pointed over his head…

And then all of us.  The motley crew…  Well, nearly all of us ;).

It was, since the wood burner wasn’t lit until we were getting ready to leave (typical!), a little nippy sitting out there in the new “conservatory”, so we didn’t hang around too long.  Long enough for buckets and spoons and coffee and cake and bacon rolls….but no longer ;).  It was, oddly enough, warmer standing outside in the sun, which is just as well as we overlapped with the arriving Leisure Group and hung around for a bit of a chat before being on our way.  It was very nice to see them, and I really need to organise a ride that gets both groups together soon.

Time to go, said Zebedee.  The fast posse went home directly, as did we.  Only their direction was West and fast, and ours was North and blessedly somewhat slower.  Just as well, since I’ve rarely been up Mudgeley slower :(.  I blame the cold.  Heading back into the wind only revealed how sheltered Sweets had been as ice-cream head cut in with a vengeance before the toils of slugging uphill raised my body temperature up enough to override it.  *brrrr….*.  After that we headed for home at a reasonable lick, though we did split up on the last Wedmore road section which was, if not a sprint, certainly faster than sometimes.  Again – hard work but fun :).

Cycling time: 2:08:05 hrs
Distance: 35.35 miles
Avs: 16.6 mph.
ODO: 15691.13 miles

Clearly what I need now that I’ve made it back on to the bike is to stop just being happy/relieved to be on it, and to get some miles and hills in.  Proper training in other words.  Well, my variety of such anyway.  Sportive season looms, and I don’t want to limp around them all, I want to be on form, I want to do my best, want want want, me me me *grin*.

And here we are, dear reader, back where we started, not unlike our routes.  Back to trade shows, and in this case, the London Bike Show, where I’ll be on Saturday.  Anyone want to meet up?  Buy me a coffee?  Or something a little stronger? 😉

Ah…I knew this was coming….*yawn*….Zonk….thud….. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz…………

Today is Day 5 on the wagon(s).  New Year, new resolve, etc…  I’ve had a week when riding wasn’t an option, as working wasn’t optional, and the rest of my time was taken up by seeing the kind of people with whom you make appointments and don’t cancel them.  So no riding, just evening gym sessions.  Better than nowt, plus it’s also a lot easier to decide you’ve had enough and it’s time to go home when all that involves is getting in the car and driving home, rather than finding yourself riding somewhere out in the wilds when the urge to cease such activity hits.  It’s also a good way to start getting the fitness back, and strengthening the core muscles again.  A good call all ’round therefore, and probably the choice I’d have made even if I’d had a choice to make ;).

Earlier this week it turned out that GB would be free on Sunday.  As would I be, clearly, otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this and you wouldn’t be reading it.  In impromptu ACG, organised by the wonders of social media, style, we were four.  GB, myself, Martyn and Steve.  In consideration of my weakened and pitiable state, GB agreed that he would go against his natural inclination towards more interesting rides, and that we could do the traditional coffee run to Glastonbury and back.  Ideal for me, because it’s pretty flat on the way out, thus allowing me to establish how I was doing before having to decide on how I was getting home.  Hills?  Straight home?  Taxi? ;).

A 9:30am start was most civilised.  Although given the grey cloud and the fog, there wasn’t as much daylight as you might have hoped for.  Still, it was dry, and mild, and there wasn’t a lot of wind, so you’ll not hear me complaining.  Once all four riders of the apocalypse were assembled, we were off.  A little nervously on my behalf, but faint heart never won anything, right?  The one advantage of being off form is that it doesn’t take me as long to warm up as it does when I’m on form.  How weird is that?  Bonus though as it means that horrible first chunk of the ride when you feel terrible doesn’t last as long.  Of course the fact that I’ve been on the wagon for a while probably doesn’t do any harm either…!

Coffee was at Heaphy’s café, for two reasons.  Firstly the very good coffee, secondly the ability to park the bikes outside but close by and in plain view.  Not that we’re paranoid or anything.  Oh, and if you’re me, the fact that they also have Orangina is both a third reason and the icing on the cake.  Well, icing on the coffee maybe, since they don’t do gluten free cake.  I miss their carrot cake *sigh*.  They very helpfully told me about all the other places in town where I could get very good gluten free cake.  Helpful?  Not really.  Not when I’m standing in your café and ordering coffee from you.  Would you like me to go somewhere else?  An interesting marketing tactic methinks…

Time for the rogues’ gallery…  Well there was a great deal of discussion about music that I am sadly too young to properly appreciate, so being merely a child, I amused myself by playing with my toys ;).  I also discovered that t’other half had sent me an email jokingly asking if I’d like to ride this, which made me grin quietly to myself – maybe next year?

  
It having been pretty mild on the way out, I took the opportunity to swop things around and put on mitts for the return journey – all the better to take your photos with ;).  We did in fact take a longer and more circuitous, if not hilly, route home, since we all felt up to it.  Or I did, so I didn’t put my usual spanner in the works ;).  I was pleasantly surprised with how well it went really,  I’ve definitely felt worse out there!

I won’t go pretending that I was leading the way, but I’m not going to apologise for just doing my best.  It’s another part of my resolve – no apologies, no excuses.  They’re counter productive, and I’m working on my PMA :).  The weird thing is that I’ve been below par for so long that I seem to have forgotten that even on good days, back in the day, I could still have trouble keeping up with these guys, and would get dropped on the hills.  So I possibly need to readjust my baseline, because actually, looking at the stats and the route, this was a pretty good ride.  OK there was less talking on my behalf than sometimes, what with the whole need to breathe thing, but I think that’s fair enough *grin*.  Possibly also a blessing for my fellow riders too ;).

Cycling time: 2:15:03 hrs
Distance: 38.50 miles
Avs: 17.1 mph.
ODO: 15600.89 miles

Here’s a sign that things are getting, maybe, just maybe, back to whatever normal is… ;).
So 2013 is under way, and off to a fairly good start.  Five days, 3 gym sessions, one good ride.  Result.  *touch wood*. *fingers crossed*. *salute solitary magpies*.  There are many miles ahead, many rides, many sportives (hopefully – Cyclosport haven’t sorted the calendar yet, which if you’re as organised as me is a little frustrating!).  If this year is anything like previous years, this will be burned on the back of my retina soon enough: ;).

I’m sure our new memory foam mattress is fantastic.  However to prove that, I’d have to sleep on it.  As opposed to just lying on it wishing my insides thought sleeping was as good an idea as I do.  *sigh*.  So when, for the umpteenth time last night, they decided I should be awake again, and I discovered it was 6:51am, rather than bemoan the earliness of the hour, I was just relieved to discover a time that I could officially call morning, hit the coffee, and get on with it!  And yes, I should probably re-write that sentence, or punctuate it better, but hey, if I wish to be irritatingly long winded about getting to the point, that’s my prerogative, n’est-ce-pas?  Habits of a lifetime and all that ;).

I’d like to pretend that the reason I couldn’t sleep was because there was an ACG ride this morning and I was excited about finally getting out on my bike again.  OK, there’s probably an element of truth to that, but actually I was more nervous about it than anything else.  It’s probably around 10 days or so since I’ve been out.  At least.  In the meantime, I’ve been away a couple of times, I’ve had a cold, I’ve had the usual IBS stuff going on and more, and yes I’ve been to the gym, but not as much as I’d have liked.  I’m seriously considering giving up eating for Lent…if it was Lent…which it isn’t, and I’m even too late for Advent.  But then I’m a tad on the agnostic side, so either would be fairly arbitrary anyway.  Still at the moment it doesn’t really matter what I eat, my interior is not happy, so as a result I’ve not been eating a lot.  Or enough, to be honest.  But hey, white wine has calories in it, right? 😉

So it was with no little trepidation that I dressed myself in my outfit of many layers this morning, and headed to the Square to see who I could see this morning.  Did I mention I have new longs?  My super support team Andrew – mechanic, bike midwife, dresser – had had an word in the shell like of the Kalas kit peeps that he works with, who have produced a pair of female specific bib tights.  I will admit to having had reservations when I first tried them on – let’s just say there were some cutting in issues going on if you happen to be more well endowed than your average racing female cyclist.  However today, over sports bra and base layer, they were far more comfortable than expected.  Apart from the whole inconvenience issues that is…I will miss that Gore zip!  I’m also pleased to report that however else today’s ride might have gone, they performed well – probably better than me!  Warm, comfortable, the pad was great, and there was no restriction around the knees – result!  It just remains to be seen how well they cope with proper cold, and whether they survive the combo of my clearly peculiar shaped behind & saddle better than the last such things have!

Right, back to riding.  We were due a fair turn out this morning, and had one no show and three extra shows, which made us nine.  Namely our esteemed leader GB, myself, Martyn, Mike, Steve and his MaxiMe Isaac, Grant, Ian, and Neil.  The latter two were new to us, and Isaac looks like cycling is what he was born to do!  Ah well, I’m not proud, being outclassed by a fourteen year old is probably a very good salutary lesson.  Besides which I’ve been abusing my system for way more years than he’s been alive, so it’s probably my own fault ;).

Our route went something like this.  I say something like beause it isn’t quite what was originally planned, and as it turns out everyone’s route varied, but I shall explain that in the fullness of time.  I do hope you’re feeling patient ;).

First off was the Gorge.  Closed to traffic, allegedly.  Whilst being almost as successful at this as last year’s Etape Cymru, it did at least mean it was considerably quieter than it might otherwise have been, which also made dodging the missing bits of road, piles of gravel and debris, and still flowing water, that bit easier.  I was actually very pleased with how I did.  According to the the few remaining Strava sections of the Gorge that haven’t been reported as hazardous, it looks like I did my second best time up there, so I wasn’t imagining it either.  I mean really – hazardous?  Downhill, ok, yes, maybe I get it.  But up?  Seriously?  I can’t go fast enough up there for it to be dangerous!  I’m far more likely to be going so slowly that I lose balance, fail to unclip, and end up in an ignominious heap on the floor somewhere with little more damaged than my pride! *grin*.

OK, Gorge done which, all things considered, was an achievement in itself.  As long as I ignored the fact that I’d just had my ar*e kicked by nearly everyone else.  According to Red Kite Prayer I’m fast anyway, so I’ll take comfort in that ;).  Sadly we lost three on the way up, as being less familiar with the Gorge and with time pressures on them, they decided to make their own way to where they wanted to be.  And then there were six…  Anyone else thinking Agatha Christie here, or is it just me?  At least I wasn’t the last to the top, which gave me time to initiate Isaac into the ways of the camera, and the essentialness of being caught eating by it ;).  He’s young, he’ll learn…but the force is strong in this one.  And hey, at least he seems to get on with his father… ;).

There were some interestingly muddy roads, with additional crosswinds, to be negotiated before one of my least favourite descents to Blagdon.  However the road from there to East Harptree is way more fun.  Oh yes :D.  I even got to do some of what I enjoy.  Silly fast stuff, down and up again.  Swoopy.  Which probably isn’t a word, but I like it.  I needed to remind myself of why I love riding so much, of what I can be good at, to let loose a little….  Mind you, after the last burst of such idiocy, my body informed me that such behaviour was foolish and foolhardy and if I continued to be such an eejot, it was going to be bringing out those lovely little sparkly lights around the edges of my vision that tend to imply that continuing verticality is unlikely…  Ah well, fun while it lasted right?  Hints of mojo, as the dearly departed Howie would have said.  Yes – I still miss him from time to time :(.  So I reined it in, and promptly got dropped, what with all the ups and downs on that road, and the interjection of motorvehicles into the mix…*sigh*.

On reaching East Harptree , where the peloton were patiently waiting, GB provided us with two options.  The longer, hillier, muddier, and frankly gratuitous route, which they all took.  Or the shortcut.  That’ll be mine please.  Coffee was at the New Manor Farm café place in North Widcombe.  Which sounded like North Woodcote when GB said it, but having been told it was the place with stables, I did at least know roughly where I was aiming for.  Not that this helped when I asked a friendly cyclist and his wife if they knew where I was going.  Hard to find a place on a map that doesn’t exist!  So I took a magical mystery tour to get there, because I had to find the bit of road where I knew I was when I last went there, which meant heading towards Litton and then going from there.  With the aid of a quick check on the Crackberry GPS maps just to make sure I wasn’t going any more than usually nuts.  This added a few miles, and stopped me arriving hours before the posse, so it wasn’t a complete waste of time.  To be honest I enjoyed a little bit of not having to keep up, and being me and my bike again too.  Head space 🙂  Having said that GB very nearly got a text saying “Got dropped, got lost, got bored, gone home…”.  Finally I arrived, parked the bike up, purchased coffee, parked me up…and five minutes later they all arrived.  Almost perfect timing :).  Actually perfect come to think of it, cos that way I didn’t have to queue for my coffee! ;).  Apparently the way to fuel a MaxiMe is as follows:

Even if I could eat it, I certainly couldn’t ride on it!  I don’t know if it counts as refuelling, or sabotage?  Still, looking at Isaac, the few minutes it spent on his lips is never going to equate to a lifetime on his hips…  Jealous, moi? 😉  Thanks to the minor colly wobbles earlier, even I decided food of some sort would probably be advisable.  Gluten free wasn’t an option in the range of fabulous cakes on offer, sadly tho’ unsurprisingly, but luckily I found an emergency “safe” bar in my saddle bag.  Think of me as a Boy Scout, though I’m usually more of a Girl Friday to be honest.  Anyway, I ate it with my coffee, that having been the point, right?.  Besides, I’d have been nagged into it if I hadn’t ;).

There were many plans for the way home.  And then there was mine.  Which seemed to appeal to some.  It had options too.  But essentially it meant going up East Harptree hill.  This having been my idea, I was supposed to not whinge about the hill on the way up.  I did my best…which may well have been lacking on several fronts ;).  Still, I got up it again, and it wasn’t entirely unpleasant.  At the top, having confused my Harptrees when considering my way home, we were opposite the Castle of Comfort and presented with two options.  Steve and Isaac headed for home, since even chocolate rocket fuel can only get you so far.  Age and treachery had triumphed over youth and skill 😉 (and that’s one of the Christmas gifts coming my way – thanks Mum & Dad!).  So then there were four…

Now, I believe I mentioned we had two choices?  So it was left, and doglegs, and Priddy, and down Westbury Hill to avoid the wind as best as possible.  Or right, with a headwind along the Burrington Road, left before the Combe, Charterhouse, the Mendip Shavings road, and finally down Shipham Hill.  Which was the way I was going, on my own if necessary.  And perfectly happy I’d have been to do so either, I really didn’t mean to drag everyone else with me.  Sorry!  However GB decided I was looking far too spacey, and should not be left to ride on my own…aw bless :).  So four of us took it in turns to fight against the wind, which no doubt made it a lot easier, and fought our way to the castle beyond the Goblin City…  Come on, there is a Castle type building up there along the way, it makes sense if you’re me! 😉  Ill-advised though it may have been, I took my turn at the front as often as I could, and I think I acquitted myself fairly well.  The same cannot be said for my performance on the up and down road after Charterhouse.  There was a rabbit on the road…the testosterone had to chase it down…and I was dropped once again.  Mind you I think the rabbit appreciated the tow!  I pootled along in my own sweet, and resigned, tortoise fashion, eventually but happily coming across a waiting GB, ready to shepherd me home.  Well, that or to stop me holding them all up any longer 😉 *grin*.

Just as well it was (nearly) all down hill from there then right? I love the descent from there to the Lilypool dip because it’s mostly straight and I can go properly fast, so I did :).  I enjoyed Shipham Hill, albeit cautiously, too.  Well it is wet and gravelly out there, and I did want to get home in one piece.  That just left one last fairly restrained run down the bypass, as I led out the train for GB’s sprint finish…and we were back in the Square :).

Cycling time: 2:25:24 hrs
Distance: 34.96 miles
Avs: 14.4 mph.
ODO: 15529.10 miles

As rides go, it went far better than I had any right to expect it would, and I really enjoyed the company when I was fast enough to keep up with it! 😉  Thanks guys – much appreciated.  And I do mean that.  Group hug? ;).

Besides, it’s December right?  Too early to be fretting about form for next year really, even if the lack of mileage is grating on me, and to be fair, I have a few more hurdles to get over before I get there anyway.  One thing at a time, little steps, etc.  Since I can’t bunny hop, I’ll not be jumping those hurdles on the bike, that’s fo’ sho ;).

Just because it’s Christmas, and this afternoon was spent drinking fizz (hic!) and putting the tree together…here’s our daft, but clearly under-impressed at being captured being so, cat, hiding under the tinsel :).