I’m back!   Well to be fair I’ve been back since Sunday, but however much I’ve wanted to be on the bike since then, the weather has disagreed with me.   Even though it didn’t look a whole heap better this morning, I had a playdate with Mim lined up, so I couldn’t really have backed out if I’d wanted to.  Besides which, I’m reliably informed by GB that at this time of the year Rule 5 applies…

By 9:30am the view outside the window had improved somewhat and this week’s wind seemed to have decided that it was indeed Friday so maybe it was time to let up a little.  It was, as last night’s weather forecast had it, claggy.  Considering the intermittent drizzle I’d intended to wear my gilet but it was too warm for that, and my arms only stayed on until we were up on the Webbington hill.

The first chunk of the ride didn’t feel great.  Oh it felt great to be back on the bike, in such a big way, but from a fitness point of view I felt kinda out of breath and off form and a bit slow.  Of course this could be because we were talking so much that it was just hard to breathe at the same time!  That’s why riding in chain gang groups is so quiet – men can’t ride that hard and talk too!  We can! 😉  Actually I was thinking it ought to be a recognised training technique, like running with back packs on in the army.  It’s hard work!  *grin*.

We made our route up as we went along, which worked out remarkably well on both the time and mileage front, as well as not including much by way of hills.  I particularly enjoyed the long stretch before Burtle where I decided to see how good I currently am at riding no-handed.  Quite good by my standards as it happens, but probably not up to taking my jacket off while doing it like the pros do.  Fun though, and good at making you feel oddly like a 13 year old again *grin*.

We came back via Mudgeley Hill as avoiding it seemed pointless and I’m pleased to say I went up it in pretty much the same way as I did before my Eurobike break, so I’ve probably not lost too much form.  In fact after that initial section, I was pushing and enjoying it.  Well you have to with Mim, she’s so fast!  My knee was a problem, even through the usual pink pill fog, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me enjoying it, and as you can see our average speed was pretty respectable 🙂  It was a lovely ride.  Lovely because I’ve missed my bike SO much.  It was just awesome being back on it.  OK, so I’ve been back at the gym, but you just can’t duplicate that feeling.  That being out there in the zone with your heart and legs pumping and the wheels going around and the world being with you feeling…  Sublime :).

Cycling time: 2:10:24 hrs
Distance: 36.69 miles.
Avs: 16.9 mph
ODO: 10024 miles

Right.  Who’s observant?  Did you spot anything interesting?  No?  Well today my odometer ticked over the 10,000 miles mark.  Come on, how cool is that?  No?  OK, it’s just me then *grin*.  I’m easily impressed 😉  My next goal is to do another 220 miles and then my overall total for both bikes will be 20,000 miles.  Since my new bike has now done more miles than my old bike, I’m thinking it possibly doesn’t qualify as “new” anymore.  Maybe it’s time to do something about that… N + 1 etc 😉

In the meantime I need to cycle another 5120 miles.  A new goal 🙂

I’m busy, so today’s ride was not going to be about hours or miles.  I still wanted a challenge though, and there’s not a lot left around here that fulfils that criteria.  But there was one that sprang to mind…

Many years ago, I went on a ride with GW and RL and they took me up what was, to me, a hideous hill, that I ended up walking up.  Not that they noticed because they were so far ahead.  As it turns out that hill, the one that goes up past Ebbor Gorge, is called Dear Leap Hill.  Having not even tried to go up it since, it had achieved somewhat mythical proportions in my head.  Recently both GB and GH have been up it, and I was starting to feel a little left out, so I knew I wanted to try it, but on my own, so I could do it my way and deal with it, rather than with the added pressure of keeping up with someone else.  Or them laughing at me if I had to walk of course!  So I plotted myself a circular loop to include it and set off, rather earlier than planned because I couldn’t sleep, a bit after 8.00am this morning.

And as it turns out it was fine.  Yes, ok it was hard work, but it was fine.  It was wet and a tad gravelly so if I had had to stop, getting back on again would have been troublesome, so apologies to the cars that wanted to get past me.  Yes, I’ll let you past when it’s appropriate, but I’m not stopping!  So I plodded my way slowly and relatively happily to the top.  What a difference a few years make.  Setting yourself a challenge and achieving it is a nice way to start the day 🙂  I know it’s not an Alpe, but it’s steeper than many of them! 😉

I came home via Charterhouse and the fun that is descending Shipham Hill.  Not the longest route, but one that worked perfectly for today.

Cycling time: 1:40:34 hrs
Distance: 25.56 miles.
Avs: 15.2 mph
ODO: 9988 miles

It was lovely just to be out on the bike.  The summer holidays mean a distinct lack of head space so it was nice to have some of that, to get some fresh air, and not to hear a single voice going “Mum…?” *grin*.

It was a relief to discover, upon pulling into the Square after our ride, that today’s average speed was a fast one, because I was feeling a tad on the worn out side, without a lot left in the tank.  However if we were doing that kind of speed, that it’s no wonder I’m tired!

As I’ve probably mentioned before, I’ve got a lot coming up in the next few weeks, getting between me and my next sportives.  It having been a month since my last sportive I was starting to wonder if I could still do the miles, and it was definitely time to get a longer ride in while I could.  This combined happily with hubby and the mob going motor racing, so I wasn’t even inconveniencing anyone.  Not only that, I managed to rope GB in, and even better, he planned us a route.  Result!

It being a longer route, it was a bit like taking two of the normal kind of loops and tying them together, including hills and some roads that he knows and I don’t. The first loop was the seaside one, and the second the Chew Valley variety.  I’m dying to say something about a game of two halves…  There was the first half, where it was early, grey, occasionally damp, and quiet because the rest of the world hadn’t woken up.  Then there was the second half where we found a head wind, the sun started to come out, and so did all the traffic.  I think I preferred the first half, but neither of them were horrible.

I did start off like a bullet out of a gun – definitely one of my coiled spring days.  Only it had been so long since I’d had a decent ride, and I’ve been stuck in the gym all week, so being let loose on the roads on my bike was just a beautiful thing.  I assured GB it would wear off, and I guess it did later on, though I’d like to think I did my fair share at the front.  Having said that I realise I’m probably only saying that in the hope that he will reassure me that that was the case when probably it wasn’t at all!  We kicked ass all the way around the seaside, including a very juvenile display of rabbit chasing around the Kewstoke road.  Oh, and coming out of Wells.  And down the Wedmore road.  Well, it had to be done…*grin*.  I’ve also invented a new charge for those cars that pull out on you when you’re going downhill – they’re committing crimes against momentum!  Don’t they know how much work I’ve put in to get to that speed in the first place?  Darned inconsiderate I’ll have you know 😉    And when it comes to going up, I continue to enjoy the hills – Brockley Coombe was nice, as were the other nameless ones.  GB still leaves me behind, but I definitely still go up them better than I did, at my pace, and my descents are noticeably better.  And more enjoyable too.  There was a lovely long descent down into Wells, and I managed to pretty much keep up with GB, even with my cornering caution :).

We had coffee at Chew Valley Lake – where they don’t take cards (be warned) and I didn’t have cash – so had to rely on GB for a scone and coffee.  It was a slightly longer break than usual since not only was the scenery gorgeous, but I needed a bit of a breather to regroup and get going again.  I’ve not done a long run for a while, and I’d been pushing it – that’s my excuse.  Besides which, it’s not all about the ride, some of it’s about the talking, and you can’t do too much of that when you’re going too fast, because there’s breathing to be done!

Cycling time: 3:57:01 hrs
Distance: 67.62 miles.
Avs: 17.1 mph
ODO: 9948 miles

Just look at that speed.  Man we rock! *grin*.  That would be why I’m tired – because we were pushing it!  I am now drinking my Torq Recovery like a good girl, though I’m thinking that a nap may be an unavoidable option.  *yawn*.  4 sociable hours riding the bike in the (semi) sun  – not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning :).

Well it’s that time of year isn’t it?  The time when we all head somewhere else in the hope of better weather and a change of scenery.  Up until shortly beforehand, I’d been faced with the prospect of two weeks in Cornwall without my bike.  However during negotiations of one sort or another, hubby performed a volte face, and I was allowed to take it with me.  *phew*.  To be honest, having been facing the spectre of over-training, even given that concession, I contemplated leaving it at home.  And I’m so glad I was encouraged not to.  Well, having it there and deciding not to use it is a whole heap different from not having it there and wanting to use it!  I was kinda hoping to get out a couple of times a week.  This nearly became three times a week, and ended up being five rides in total.  Not bad…

Monday 1st August
Something inside so strong
When life gives you lemons you make lemonade.  When life gives you a Sunday, a Grand Prix and a pass, you go for a ride.  Or at least you would if you hadn’t left your cycling shorts at home!  Doh!  Scuppered…  Or #Fail as my son would have it…

On Monday morning, after some net searching, ably assisted by a tired but recovering GB, and some old school telephoning around like a Yellow Pages advert, I tracked down a pair in a LBS 12 miles away.  Gotta love the wonders of modern technology.  And the new shorts aren’t bad either.  Beggars can’t be choosers so…Monday afternoon rolled around.  Time to ride.  Not without a certain sense of trepidation, but in a weirdly good way.  As we’ve been driving around here it has been very obvious that Cornwall is not flat. However rather than dreading this, I found myself wondering what it would be like to go up those hills, and quite fancying the challenge.  Very odd *grin*.  And shall I tell you something about the hills?  So far I like ’em!  Ok, this may not last but…they’ve been long, slow, push your way to the top hills.  In short, my kind of hills.  My legs felt strong, as did I, as they pushed me round tiny traffic free back lanes to Liskeard.  Even Lodge Hill there, which seemed nasty in the car, was oddly enjoyable.  And even more so in descent!  I had to retrace my steps a bit after trying and failing to find the way out of town that I wanted, and not enjoying a brief stint on the dual carriageway that is the A38.  So I came back through Duloe, with some mad wiggly wet roads instead.  Green tunnels that haven’t seen the light of day in a while and where the road surface is probably always wet.  Slightly hairy from time to time on the mad descent there too.  It wasn’t the longest ride ever, though arguably from a resting point of view that ‘s good – same intensity less time.  It was however lovely to have that sense of exploring again, of novelty.  A ride that doesn’t involve the Wedmore road!
If I lived around here I reckon I’d be a really good cyclist. It’s mostly up or down so I’d have to end up better at either, if not both, of those. And then imagine what I could do up mountains… 🙂

Route: Cornwall 1/5
Cycling time:1:33:53 hrs
Distance: 22.44 miles.
Avs: 14.3 mph
ODO: 9720 miles

Wednesday 3rd August
Come fill my little world right up
Today’s aim was to go to Lostwithiel, but it all went a bit pear shaped, and I got lost, and I kept changing my mind, and it was windy and getting progressively more miserable, so I kinda botched a loop and came home again. The big climb out of Looe towards Pelynt was as long as it had looked by car, and as much fun as it was going up it, it’s 10 times that as a descent!  In fact by the time you get back into town you’re breaking the speed limit and the cars have stopped bothering to overtake you *grin*.  You have to be a tad careful at the bottom as the car park and bridge traffic tend to back up though…but luckily I was prepared for that.
Route: Cornwall 2/5

Cycling time:1:32:21 hrs
Distance: 23.65 miles.
Avs: 15.3 mph
ODO: 9744 miles

Saturday 6th August
I am not yours I am mine
One of the problems with staying by the coast is that you only have a 180C radius to explore.  Throw in a few rivers and a lot of hills and planning routes, even on the OS map, gets a tad tricky.  So I decided to take Monday’s route and embellish it.  I managed not to get lost this time!   I also went up some of the nice downs I’d done, and vice versa, which made for a little variety too.  I even saw a couple of other cyclists who did try to catch me but I wasn’t having any of that!  Which might explain why it turned out to be quite a fast ride…
Route: Cornwall 3/5
Cycling time:1:30:56 hrs
Distance: 25.25 miles.
Avs: 16.8 mph
ODO: 9769 miles

Monday 8th August
Run to the hills
Time to go east for a change.  To see the sea.  To get right to the edge of my OS map without falling off, because if you fell off, there would of course be dragons.  I was continuing to love the climbs, and the little black arrows on the map intrigued me.  And to add icing to the hilly cake, this time around I even found a hairpin bend!  It was a ride of interesting hills, and interesting names:  Seaton, Downderry, Portwrinkle, Crafthole, Antony.  Little wiggly country lanes going down to go by beaches, and up to along the tops of the coast.  With plenty of stunning views thrown in for good measure, as you can see below.  Once I’d reached Antony, it was home by a long run along by the river on the swoopy and rather more main road before climbing over the hills and down again to get back to Looe.  And man, there was a glorious descent in there somewhere – my max speed was 40.5mph!  I felt all proper professional, and may actually have been showing off *grin*.
Route: Cornwall 4/5

Cycling time:1:50:28 hrs
Distance: 28.85 miles.
Avs: 15.6 mph
ODO: 9798 miles

Thursday 11th August
I won’t be twice shy
When I redid the seaside route in reverse. Which made some of the wiggly ups into less attractive descents, and some of the long straight descents into steeper ups.  But hey, I proved I could do ’em both ways round :).  The big climb out of Seaton turned out to both the biggest and steepest of the whole week, and I still managed it.   Since I wasn’t getting lost and knew the route, I had time to ponder many things as I rode along, as you do.

For example, let me address Mr/Mrs Motorist.  If you are over-taking me, then let us presume you are not being fool enough to do so when there is not much space due to traffic coming in the opposite direction, right?  And you are not doing so where there is a solid white line or other highway code hindrance preventing you from doing so either, right?  Of course not.  Well, in that case, would you like to explain to me why you can’t leave me more than 6 inches when you go past me?  And, incidentally, whoever told you that <that> was 6 inches was lying to make you feel better…  To all those drivers who do in fact pass me considerately, with space to spare, and to those who do not hound me narrow country lanes, may karma bring you the rewards you deserve.  I have suggestions as to what I’d like karma to give to the rest of you…

Whilst not mulling over the idiocy of motorists, I came to the conclusion that my cycling goals are the 3 Cs.  I need to sprint like Cavendish, descend like Cadel, and climb like I’ve had a particularly tasty Spanish steak… 😉

Route: Cornwall 5/5
Cycling time:1:51:41 hrs
Distance: 27.36 miles.
Avs: 14.6 mph (max 39.3)
ODO: 9826 miles

Riding in Cornwall seems to be a good investment.  If you put the effort in to climb up, you will be rewarded with a lovely down.  They’re also my kind of hills, and I reckon they’d make for great training for some of the things I have pencilled into my cycling future.  Round here our hills have names, whereas since you always seem to be going either up or down down there, I’m guessing that for the most part they don’t bother naming them 😉  I’m also very proud of myself for getting up them all.  Last time we were down there I looked at those same hills and was glad I wasn’t cycling up them.  This time I couldn’t wait to get up them, and had a blast doing so :).  Taking my bike turns out to have been a very very good idea *grin*.

I’m not sure when my next ride will be, but I knew I could get one in this morning.  Luckily for me it turned out that GB could make it too, turning my planned training ride into a far more sociable one.  We did the route I’d half planned out in my head – the usual kind of loop, with the odd lump in it, rounding off with Winscombe Hill for fun.

Apparently it’s July.  In fact I’ve heard a rumour that it’s going to be August soon.  Well, blessed as we were with grey skies and drizzle, you’d be hard pushed to believe that.  Which gets the moaning about the weather bit over and done with, right?  Actually I have to say I wasn’t too bothered since at least it wasn’t particularly cold.  Even the wind, which was more noticeable on our return leg, wasn’t too annoying.  So, on balance, it could have been worse.  Apart from the fact that my shiny new Etape jersey is distinctly road splattered now and I’m really hoping it all washes out…

We had our coffee stop at Sweets.  Initially just us, and another couple.  Who were soon to be distinctly bemused as the place literally filled up with lycra clad cyclists, outnumbering them in a big way.  I knew one of the other cyclists, who commented that Mim mentioned that I’d done the Etape.  I allowed as how I had, and his mate said that the jersey kind of gave it away.  Result!  Eminently satisfying *grin*.

Cycling time:2:01:56 hrs
Distance: 34.00 miles.
Avs: 16.6 mph
ODO: 9698 miles

I’ve been tired and a tad fragile lately, so I wasn’t sure how this ride would be.  After all yesterday I was extremely tired, and considering not riding the bike for a couple of weeks!  However today was a new day, preceded by a good night’s sleep.  I didn’t have my racing legs on – I don’t think they bother coming out to play when I’m out with GB – they know their limits!  However I did feel pretty strong.  Even up Winscombe Hill on the way home.  And that’s a good way to be feeling :).  It was also great to have time to chat, which seems to have been in short supply of late.  Good luck to him for tomorrow’s event – I’m not sure what he’s up to (his turn to be secretive, about which I can hardly quibble) though I think I know….but he’s so strong at the moment I’m sure he’ll kick butt.  Luckily not mine for a change! *grin*.

Opportunities to ride during the (dreaded) summer holidays are few and far between.  For various reasons, and thanks to my folks, I was childfree this morning, so that would make this one of them.

However if it had been any other normal morning, I think I’d have bailed.  After 7 hours cycling up a mountain I had, astoundingly, no physical after effects at all.  Take one gym session where I add 3 sets of lunges on the right leg to those I already do for the knee on the left, and thanks to the wonders of DOMS, two days later my right calf muscle is painful enough to keep me up all night.

I was up at 6:15am, having given up the uneven battle to be asleep.  Even with the application of caffeine and pink pills, I was not feeling human by the time Mim arrived at 9:30am.  In fact, annoyingly but predictably, I was feeling like going back to sleep might be a good idea!  That’s after 3 hours spent (admittedly constructively) doing other things.

Still, a ride is a ride.  The sun was shining, and my new Etape jersey was begging for an outing.  Mim had kindly sorted a route, since I’ve been way too busy just lately, and apparently it was time to do some hills.  These days I don’t balk at those anymore.  I’m willing to give them a go.  Which is a good starting point, no?

This meant it was time to go up Shipham Hill again.  I tried (wo)manfully to beat my record, as you do, but ended up 10 seconds slower than on Sunday at 15:25.  3rd best time ever.  Still, at least Mim wasn’t left waiting at the top for me, as she would have been back in the day.  That’s definitely progress.

Following on from that she managed to find some nasty little hills ’round Nempnett Thrubwell – which we both agree is a fabulously named village.  One of which was a proper stand on the pedals, pray the end is nigh, cuss when you go ’round the corner and it isn’t, one.  The other was a long slow slog up under a baking sun, no wind, greenery turning the road into a tunnel type hill.  With a complete lack of relieving mountain streams.  Not, it has to be said, very pleasant.  I may have used rude words under my breath…

We had a coffee stop at Chew Valley Lake.  Well, more of a diet coke, add cold water to your bottle, stop.  I was feeling a bit pooped, and could cheerfully have sat on the grass in the sun for a while longer but that wasn’t going to get me home.  It’s very pleasant there, but I haven’t been in ages since they charge for parking which I object to.  Well, I’d rather park, have a nice walk, and spend money in the café.  Now we do neither.  Just a brief aside for you.

Time to go home, with the Mendips between me and there.  The only way is up, as someone once sang.  Today’s ascension of choice was via East Harptree which is a long slow slog with steeper wiggly bits thrown in just to make it more interesting.  If you’re Mim, you get near the top, and go back down again to see if you can do it in a bigger gear.  I liked my gear…it got me to the top, what more do you want? 😉  By now the sun had been clouded over and, though I was on my own in feeling this, I was quite pleased, as it brought the temperature down a bit.  Definitely makes going up easier.

Sometimes when I’m slogging up a hill, feeling the effort, and looking forward to the top, it beats me how I ever got to the top of a mountain.  Make that 3 mountains.  It feels like such hard work.  Then I realise that if I pay proper attention, nothing is actually really hurting, my legs are pushing ’round ok, I’m not massively out of breath, and I’ve almost mentally made it feel worse than it is.  OK, sometimes it really is that bad.  But it’s not an Alp, right?  And I had the jersey on my back to prove that I did indeed do that, which was motivational.  Bragging rights :).

From there it was across the top of the Mendips, via Charterhouse, to go down Shipham Hill, it being a more pleasant descent than the Gorge at this time of year.  A very inconsiderate lorry got ahead of me and stopped me having what should have been a blast.  Just not cricket!

Cycling time:2:31:19 hrs
Distance: 36.53 miles.
Avs: 14.4 mph
ODO: 9664 miles

It was a hot hard and hilly ride.  It was necessary, as I need to keep doing those hills.  Was it enjoyable?  Well, kinda…  Considering how I was feeling first thing, it went surprisingly well.  However I’m proper tired now.  Do you think that means I’ll sleep?

The general consensus of opinion out there appears to be that I may be over doing it.  Over training.  However I’ve been ignoring them, probably because to my mind there’s a very good reason that can’t be true.  Because over-training is something proper athletes do.  Not an amateur, bumbling along, not very good, and wouldn’t know a training plan if it bit me, cyclist.  Plus the more numerous the people (especially better than me male cyclists) telling me to do something – like rest – the less likely I am to do it.  I know I know, not very mature *grin*.  Maybe I’ll sleep on it and see how I feel… 😉

There was a plan.  47 miles worth of plan, with 1380 metres of climbing.  It was GB‘s plan, and it went like this.  And although the hills scared me, and I was out yesterday, I was up for giving it a go.  I reserved the right to bail if necessary, and maybe that was at least half the problem.  I think maybe I’d bailed mentally before I even left the building…

By the time we got to the top of Shipham Hill in what was, as it turns out, my 2nd best time ever (15:15), I was feeling it.  I was most proud of myself though since, (and he may have been waiting), I had managed to get back on to GB’s wheel by the time we reached the top which, like, never happens.  However it did make me aware that there wasn’t a great deal in the tank today…

We wiggled around Langford and then up Burrington Combe where, again, I did pretty well I thought, even managing to carry on a conversation on the way up, and definitely not in bottom gear all the time.  By then though I’d already decided that I was going to be bugging out and going home when I got to the top, so I didn’t feel the need to pace myself too much.  And that’s just what I did.  GB swung a left and headed off as planned.  I on the other hand carried straight on, took the same right as last week on the GWR, and found myself slogging across the top into pretty much the same headwind!  That kind of deja vu I can live without…

Still, the descent of Cheddar Gorge was more fun than sometimes, even when someone in Bath CC kit overtook me near the bottom.  In fact, by the time I reached the BP station to turn right onto the bypass and I looked over my shoulder, a whole peloton of them were there!  I decided I had to do my level best to beat them down the bypass to Axbridge which, (go me!), I did.  To be fair I doubt they realised we were racing *grin*.  But wow, did that ever empty the tank!

Cycling time:1:25:37 hrs
Distance: 21.31 miles.  Only 440 metres of climbing.
Avs: 15.1 mph
ODO: 9627 miles

Maybe if I hadn’t had so much fun yesterday I’d have done better today.  But I did have fun :).  If the route planned hadn’t included Ebbor Gorge maybe I would have been less tempted to wimp out.  I’ve never made it up there, and I’ve been so positive about my cycling lately that I don’t feel quite ready for the blow to that that walking up there would be.  Maybe I’m just tired…

I’m glad I went though.  It was still great to be on the bike.  And equally to catch up with GB.  I’m also glad I listened to my body and came home.  If I’m tired now, think how tired I might have been after another two hours…  There, does that count as rest? 😉

PS: I’ve just noticed that since this website started, I’ve ridden over 12,000 miles.  How cool is that?! 🙂

I have an unfortunate habit of, within about 24 hours, forgetting that I’ve just done a sportive.  I’m then surprised when, two days later, I’m a bit tired.  So when I discovered that I was totally knackered this morning, with barely enough energy to string a sentence together, it took me a while to remember why that might be.  I know going out and riding long distances has become practically the norm, but I’m thinking I should possibly be a little bit less dismissive of that…

So the sensible thing to do today what have been to take refuge on the sofa and rest up, right?  Well yes, but…   I’d arranged to go for a ride with Mim, who I’ve not seen in ages.  The weather was passable and improving.  The summer holidays are rapidly approaching, when I won’t be able to ride much at all.  So no sofa for me.  Can’t waste a decent ride opportunity when they’re few and far between, now can you?

As I cycled out of town, I did feel a bit tired, and I did wonder whether or not it was actually a good idea, but it was warmer than I’d expected, the sun was coming out, and I was on my bike.  Always good.  I arrived at Mim’s to discover that we would be three, as her t’other half was joining us.  Now, if you’re after a recovery ride, I recommend not going out with these two.  Even if they both claim to be spinning their legs, I’m not sure either of them can spin their legs slowly enough for little old me.  I don’t have “cat” in my title, let alone “first” or “second”.  She’s a first cat, he’s a second cat, I’m a Gumbie Cat 😉

Having said that we had a very lovely fairly sociable ride around the Levels.  I did my best, and sucked wheel as necessary.  We chatted.  The sun shone, and the wind blew and blew some more, like I didn’t get enough of that on Sunday!  Deja vu, apart from the lack of water to go with it.  I hope I didn’t show myself up too much, though why it matters is beyond me.  I guess I don’t want people looking at me and going, “she did the Etape, but she’s still rubbish”! *grin*.

Cycling time:2:09:57 hrs
Distance: 37.66 miles
Avs: 17.3 mph
ODO: 9572 miles

Now that’s just silly.  I know I was doing ok, and I hitched a lift when I could, but have you seen our average?  And I certainly didn’t feel like I was pushing that hard.  Bizarrely my legs felt really good, and the rest of me wasn’t doing badly either.  I’m sure I’m just storing up payback for a later date, but after how I felt this morning this afternoon’s performance is just plain miraculous.  So I may not have felt like going for a ride, and I may regret it later, but right now I’m glad I did.  🙂