I’ve done a lot of cycling by myself of late and although the inside of my head is a lovely place to be, I was getting a bit tired of keeping myself company.  I put out an ACG call to no avail, and sent texts to GW and SH.  As of first thing yesterday morning, as I sat in bed drinking coffee, it was still due to be just me, myself and I.  Until the phone went, and suddenly I had a ride partner as SH had opted out of the Burnham Run.

As you know by now, cycling with either GW or SH tends to make me feel nervous.  Probably because they’re so much better than me that I’m worried I’m going to make a prat of myself.  Or something.  However it doesn’t stop me doing it.  Going out with them that is, not being a prat.  Maybe.  I had the usual butterflies fluttering around my insides as I got ready.  More anticipation than nerves maybe though – as SH is very good at cycling with me so I tend to be more worried about what route he may take us rather than whether he’ll drop me…

SH rocked up at 10:30am for what was supposedly going to be a couple of hours ride.  I’d left the route down to him, having even said I didn’t mind the odd hill.  I keep having to not avoid them after all.  He announced we were off to coffee at Maunsel Lock, near North Petherton, which sounded fine to me.  I’ve only been there once before – also with him – and I do like going somewhere different.  And abdicating all responsibility on the route front.  It’s quite relaxing 🙂

We started off with the A38 and Weare Hill to warm up.  Across the Levels, via Edington and onwards southwards…  After that I’m not entirely sure where we went, other than it looking vaguely familiar.  SH got us a little lost…and after a while I had no idea where we were, other than getting rapidly closer to Taunton!  It was sunnyish, windyish, warmish, quite ish really.  I tried to do my best to take my turn, and to keep up, but I was definitely feeling the need for coffee by the time we finally got to the Lock which, having not known where I was, I was starting to think we’d never find.  SH on the other hand knew where he was and where he was going which always helps, and gave him an unfair advantage.  I was just sat at the back, cussing quietly, and wishing we’d just get there already! 😉

We sat outside in the sun, drank coffee, and talked bikes, as you do.  We’d already been out a couple of hours, so I considered it diplomatic to text home and alert the troops to the fact that I wasn’t going to be home anytime soon, which luckily didn’t cause ructions.  Conscience thus eased, I knew I didn’t have to rush, and it was really nice to just chill there for a while 🙂

We headed back in as direct a fashion as possible.  SH did warn me this would involve the odd hill which I was kinda dreading.  He mentioned Pedwell Hill, which didn’t mean anything to me, and I plodded all the way up it fairly happily.  I got to the top and twigged as to where I was, and was vaguely gobsmacked, because, as I had to to point out to SH, that hill’s usually really difficult!  I was proper chuffed and definitely boosted for the rest of the ride home.  Way to go me! 🙂

As we came back down my fave stretch of road, SH attempted to give me a lesson on sitting on his wheel properly because apparently when ever he comes to take his turn on the front I drop back.  Now this isn’t entirely because I’m scared to be too close to his back wheel, though that’s partially true.  It’s really because when I’m on the front I feel I have to go as fast as possible to try and make myself look good, but once he moves in front, I can drop back and take it a bit easier and hope he hasn’t noticed!  I should have know better – he always notices these things *grin*.

Cycling time: 3:46:13
Distance: 61.17 miles
Avs: 16.1 mph
ODO: 7928 miles

It was a very good ride on several fronts.  First off – my knee was not strapped up, and apart from the odd twinge it was fine.  No pink pills required.  Nary a one.  This is very good.  On top of that my legs felt really good, and like there was plenty in the tank, which I guess is probably a result of all the training and regular sportives.  I didn’t feel like I was slogging it all the way to keep up with SH, and I do feel like I did a reasonable share of the work.  Bearing in mind I hadn’t been planning on cycling that far or that long, to be able to do so without it being an issue is kinda cool.  I got home feeling proper positive about the whole thing – PMA well and truly boosted 🙂