OK, before I start on my latest sportive blog…let’s play catch up shall we?  Actually at present it’s also my last sportive this year, but I really hope that isn’t the case so let’s skip past that…

So there’s the ride I did with Alan last Wednesday.  We went up a Gorge, had a coffee stop, and came back down again.  Oh, and in case you’re interested, or heading out that way, the Rock Cake Café is apparently closed as of the end of August…future as yet unknown.  Just FYI.  Anyway, another day and for the usual reasons, I’d probably have bailed but as I had an academic errand to run to Wells and it always oddly pleases me to use the bike to do something constructive rather than just as a mobile gym, I didn’t.  Maybe I should have.  To be honest, it did not go that well.  Given flat, given down, and I was a vaguely on form me.  Up however?  Ow…!  *grrr*  But Alan was both tolerant and patient, and is also probably used to my vagaries by now so hey…out, not in, and another ride in the bank 🙂

Cycling time: 2:08
Distance: 33.1 miles
Avg: 15.4 mph
ODO: 10760.8 miles

And then there’s the ride I did with Charlie and my adoptive cycle club iCycle.cc (it’s a Velothon thing) on Saturday from Bedford.  With the aforementioned sportive ahead of me the following day I opted for the slower of their two groups.  Well…OK…let’s be honest, I kinda did that because I was scared I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the other group but…after a happy couple of hours bimbling around Bedford, where their word “hill” has a completely different meaning to mine, and seeing the other group’s average speed I SO could have done. But hey, discretion, valour, sportive, etc. *grin*

Cycling time: 2:01
Distance: 30.5 miles
Avg: 15.0 mph
ODO: 10791.4 miles

It had a lot of upsides though.  It was sunny.  There was no wind to speak of.  And as I may have hinted, Bedford be flat!  But it sho’ is pwerty.  Very pwerty 🙂  It was nice to ride somewhere new, with new company, without signs, timing, or pressure.  Our slower group numbered five, and it came with a stay together help everyone vibe – as a club that seems to be how they work – inclusive and encouraging.  And, sincerely, with no insult meant to the slower riders in our group; when I ride with folk, I am pretty much always the slowest, the drop off the back, the wait for me at the top of the hill.  And it was nice not to be that for a change.  To be faster.  To be let off the leash to sprint and hurtle on my own from time to time when we could all regroup afterwards.  To feel comparatively fast, but not feel resentful about our average speed.  We all have to start somewhere, and it would have been great to have had such a supportive group like that back when, in the distant mists of time, I started out.  Oh, and I was also drug-free for a change…for how long who knew?  But I can cope with that.  You bear your cross, I’ll bear mine.  Like it or not, sometimes the ego needs a boost, and this was good for mine.  Even if I know I’m not fast really.  So I enjoyed it all ’round.  You’re supposed to enjoy being on the bike, and this was enjoyable.  Sadly I couldn’t hang around for post-ride coffee and banter for too long afterwards as I had to get home, and it’s a longish drive, so apologies and thanks for having me guys 🙂