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 :).