“We apologise for the inconvenience…”

The Cycling Mayor has been ill…  A viral infection apparently, which started with a cold.  That was just getting better when the throat infection came along… (codeine really wipes you out).  That was just getting better when the ear infection arrived, and perforated my left eardrum.  I’ve not been on the bike since the last entry, and there was even just over a week when I didn’t even go to the gym!  (Hubby says that’s how he could tell I was proper ill *grin*).

As a result I’ve been feeling a bit nervous about getting back on the bike.  I was oddly worried I’d have forgotten how somehow, and also a bit worried that I would be seriously out of shape and find it hideously hard work.

However today was an ACG ride, and the thought of company spurred me on.  9 of us gathered in the Square at 12:30pm, which was a seriously respectable turnout.  Probably because at that point the weather was still presentable…  That and it being afternoon not morning for a change.

KG, having also been ill, had volunteered to do the route – the aim being to keep it flat and easy and not too fast, which I’d say he pretty much managed.  The group split into its splinter factions, and our group did a loop out via Winscombe, Banwell, Christon, Loxton and Mark to get to the coffee stop at Rich’s Cider place.  Sometime half way through that the skies descended and the rain started.  Fairly inevitable really.  The other group took a slightly more direct route and for a change we got there at pretty much the same time too.

Tea and cake were consumed, even chips in one case.  There was endless discussion involving maps as to which route to take home – men and maps! – but by the time we left, it was colder, greyer and more to the point – darker, so that all went out of the window.  We opted for the easiest way back, through Blackford, to get us home before the dark descended for real, since night cycling is an acquired taste!

Once back on the main Wedmore – Cheddar road, GB and I engaged in our usual foolish race for home.  I’m going to pay for it later – in fact I’m still coughing – but it surely was fun.  Mind you it did show me that I’m not back to 100% yet..  After all that drafting, he cruised past me into town to take the stage win.  That’s showboating you know…*grin*.

Cycling time: 2:07:11
Distance: 30.5 miles
Avs: 14.3 mph
ODO: 2761 miles

It went much better than I was expecting.  I think the Torq bar I had in place of cake helped get me home.  I even managed not to sit on the brakes down every single hill/corner, which was a small achievement, but one to be pleased with nonetheless.  I’m glad I went, but think I’d better make sure tomorrow is a rest day so as not overdo it too soon 🙂