Today’s ride was both initiated by GB, and created by him, so if you want to know where we went in detail, I’m sure it’ll be up on his blog in the fullness of time. Since, at the time of planning, he was an entirely achievable 53 miles off his 5500 mile goal, a longer rider than usual sounded like a mighty fine idea. Sadly I was 116 miles off my next marker post, and even I didn’t fancy doing that today!
We set off into warmer than expected greyness at 9:00am this morning. By the time we reached Wedmore a degree of sartorial rearrangement was called for to cope. The winter hat went in the back pocket, the Buff moved from the neck to the head, and the winter jersey vents were opened. In Glastonbury we checked on Heaphy’s café which it would appear will be open tomorrow, in the event of me being up for a ride as planned. Good news! From there, in the usual dot to dot fashion, we went to Somerton and then Langport. We had hoped to get coffee there, it being roundabout half way ’round, but it wasn’t to be, so it was off to Richs Cider farm instead, via several of my favouritely named places – Bawdrip, Chedzoy, Westonzoyland, Bason Bridge… It was now beyond time for coffee, and sadly also painkillers – my knee has been playing up again of late. Still, caffeine and pink pills were administered, along with a scone and the righting of the world, which made the 10 miles home much more palatable. In fact since the wind was behind us by then, flying up the A38 was practically fun!
our bikes got a rest too
this would be why my back brake wasn't working very well...
Cycling time: 3:30:24 hrs
Distance: 58.66 miles.
AVS: 16.6 mph.
ODO: 11557 miles
I was feeling pretty much on form today, possibly thanks to yesterday’s abstemiousness. Plus there weren’t too many hills involved, I had the layers right, the wheels were going round…and on that basis I could probably have ridden all day. If I had all day that is. Since I didn’t, and frequently don’t realise how tired I am until I get off the bike, it was probably just as well that it wasn’t any longer. GB reached his target and I got a morning out on the bike in good company. Job done. I even washed my bike when I got in – before anything else stopped working properly!
So it’s that time of year. I can, and will give you some statistics, since that seems to be the done thing. This year I have cycled 4942 miles. My laziest month was January when I cycled a mere 278 miles, and my busiest was June when I managed 620. I didn’t set myself a mileage goal for the year, so I cannot be said to have not achieved it, which is good ;). I came tantalisingly close to 5000 miles, but even if I didn’t quite make that, I did manage 1217 miles more than last year, which is not to be sneezed at I’ll have you know! *grin*.
My only real goal for this year, even if I didn’t tell you about it (sorry!), was the Etape and that I did. And enjoyed in an oddly masochistic fashion ;). I’d always wanted to do it, and now I have. It’s a good feeling, even if it does seem like an awfully long time ago now! I’ve also done thirteen other events, met lots of other lovely cyclists (both in the flesh and virtually), and am now riding and writing for Cyclosport! Awesome! Not a bad year I reckon *grin*. Next year’s big goal is the Maratona, but essentially as long as I get to spend a lot of time on my bike I’ll be happy :).
Happy New Year everyone! May the wind always be at your back :).