Finally, a ride! I got to dust off the wall sculpture and use it for the purpose for which it was designed. And I did have to quite literally dust it off – the on-going building work has a left a film of dust all over everything…
It has to be said that I kind of went out against my better judgement. And if it had been just me going I’d probably have wimped out and headed for the warm gym again. However, after many texts and the ACG Christmas do last night, it transpired that I would have been letting 4 other people down, and that goes against the grain… So I ignored the fact the the temperature reading at Brent Knoll was negative. I overlooked the fact that the water on the road outside was a long way from liquid. I let GB tell me how much warmer it would be when the sun came out, put on as many layers as possible, and went up to the Square for 10:30am.
It wasn’t an official ACG ride, but it might was well have been. There were 4 of us who headed out gingerly to Cheddar to meet my new pet cyclist. OK, he’s not really a pet. But he’s so young that I’m having to play responsible adult for him so that he can do the Wheel Heroes 100 later this year. Yes, I know, funny as! *grin*. Bless. I’m SO easily old enough to be his mother. And having seen the speed he goes at, I think he’s going to wish he’d picked someone less mumsy as a riding partner. Ah well…I’ve offered him an out and I promise not to be offended if he takes it 😉
We had to wait in the sunshine for him, while GB cycled up and down to keep warm (and get closer to his annual mileage target!) before we all headed off to Glastonbury the usual way. I’d been worried about how icy the roads would be but actually they were ok. However the risk of ice combined with thick freezing fog made for interesting riding conditions…. I had to stop wearing my sunglasses as they were misting up, and mist plus fog seemed unnecessary. It was an interesting dichotomy (a word I particularly like). I could feel sweat running down my back…as ice formed on my eyelashes. No word of a lie – it really did. When we arrived at the cafe, there was ice on the bikes, our clothes… Very weird but oddly amusing.
A large cup of good coffee was as welcome as ever, along with the by now almost obligatory carrot cake. GB sat by the window twitching every time anyone approached the bikes, as the locals that usually congregate around the monument were having to walk around to keep warm, which looked suspiciously like loitering with intent…*grin*.
Back on the (still there) bikes and off down the main road to Wells. It was definitely more about riding than the ride. Single file, head down, breathe in as the traffic scrapes past… GB, DM, and little AK (well, he does have initials) were off in a cloud of competitive testosterone leaving me and IH bringing up the rear. Even with that, AK was off like a greyhound out of the gate the minute he was able to leave us and head for home. Man he’s fast! And built like a whippet too. Which probably explains why he was even colder than we were – no reserves and not going fast enough for him. Although GB and DM did a very good job of looking like that kind of speed was totally normal. I on the other hand looked like a middle-aged mum…
I did my best from Wells to Wedmore, and beyond, and I thought I was going pretty fast really. Especially as my knee was twingeing and I had a stitch again. However on the main straight “no sprinting today” bit, the three MAMILs went past me like they’d pushed the turbo button. I had a quick look around but couldn’t find mine…and was left to follow them home at a respectful distance. I’m trying not to be disheartened by this and am taking comfort in the fact that I’m going to get better next year. I am. So there 😛
Cycling time: 2:07:43
Distance: 34.83 miles
Avs: 16.4 mph
ODO: 6579 mile
Actually, considering the conditions, and the average speed, I was actually doing pretty well. For me. Outclassed as ever *grin*.
In the meantime I think it’s time I went to see the sports physio again. I’ve been religiously doing the exercises, and haven’t been on the bike for ages, but 90 minutes in, the knee was off again. Not good. And the plan was to have it sorted by Christmas…