I had
been looking forward to a decent long ride all week and when yesterday arrived I
couldn’t wait to get out on the road and start clocking up some serious miles.
So after
getting the full kit on and just about ready to ride I went to the garage and
once I pulled the bike in to the daylight I realised the tyre wasn’t in the
best shape. Should I chance it, could I get it looked at or did I want a drama……
Sod it mentality, so I set
out on my way for a new extended route, I had in my head, to Tring. I had a
lovely ride and the conditions were fairly nice. I also passed many other
cyclists on this route and I think things seems to be getting better for me with
the cycle community with many now actually acknowledging my existence (but this
is another blog entry for later in the week). Towards the end of my route and
about 25 miles in to my ride two heavily “team Sky” kitted folk whizzed by
on their bikes when I was halted at a cross-roads. Always up for a challenge I thought
lets test how far I have come on my bike journey and with the training I have
been putting in. So the chase was on now down Nettleden road. I seemed to be
making ground quite progressively and at the same time my Achilles heel was
approaching with the long stretching hill in sight. This turned out to be my
crowning moment so far though in my “yet to get started” cycling career. Once
on the hill I caught the back marker (sounds so glam, right) and passed him but
at the same time pulled up alongside him tilted my head, gave him a "good afternoon" and off I popped. (please read earlier blog posts to see why this may have
irritated / made me feel better). Now, Mr Team Sky himself posed a different
problem. He had seen me pass his mate and knew exactly what I wanted. I managed
to keep the same distance on his tail all the way up the hill but could not
pass those wiggling hips as he was standing and pumping his way to the top.
Next time Mr Team Sky man!
On returning
my beloved cycle for a sleep in the garage at the end of my ride the tyre looked in pretty bad shape
but at least it held up for me to complete the 32 miles. Here are the ride details
- http://www.strava.com/activities/89981287
Sunday morning
arrived and I felt I wanted to complete two rides back to back in two days for training
for the big ride as this would give me more experience and banked miles.
Before i even opened the garage door I knew I needed to give the bike a bit of TLC so I was ready to take her down to the cycle shop for some grooming and definitely a new shoe.
Well, once out the garage it was hard to miss the damage that had been done
Feeling privileged and lucky that my bike got me home the previous
day I bundled her in to the car quickly and took it to nearest bike A&E. The final
cry for help from the bike came about 10 minutes in to me driving to the bike
shop. An almighty bang went off in my boot and I had realised the tyre had gone
pop. Very strange that this happened as there was no pressure being applied to
the tyre at the time?! Ticking time bomb?
Whilst waiting for the bike doctor to fit my new tyre and inner
tube I browsed the shop and eventually indulged in a new waterproof jacket to replace
my old manky one that was on the way out. This could be one of the best
decisions and purchases I have made for some time.
So new tyres, inner tube and jacket on I was back at the
house and ready start albeit a little later than I had imagined. The weather
was reasonable I was contemplating not wearing the new jacket but I thought at
the last minute to take it in case the wind got up. 10 miles in to the ride I was
regretting taking the jacket as the sun was starting to come through and all the other
cyclists on the road were only wearing their lycra t-shirts and I was hot and sticking
out like a sore thumb. My new route today took me to Dunstable which was a
great ride actually, well right up until I left Dunstable after about 16 miles. Heading
for Aston Clinton I had a decision to make on whether I cut today short because
I had a big ride yesterday or whether I try to beat yesterday’s distance and
time in the saddle. Well as always I went for the challenge. It was at this
point the weather went horribly wrong. Persistent drizzle turned in to heavy rain very quickly, lightening reared its ugly head and thunder decided to turn up
for dramatic effect. I did wonder why I had pushed myself for the challenge at this point as it
became very challenging when a heavy wind picked up around the Invinghoe area
on top of all the other elements. The only positive thing at this point was
that my new waterproof had a real chance to perform and it did not let me down.
It was the perfect shield from the appalling conditions. The worst was still in
store and saved for the finale. 33 miles and heading out of Berkhamsted I could see the cars stopping ahead of me with the rain thundering down. As I approached the stationary cars I could
see that there was a huge flood under a bridge and the cars could not pass this
and many were turning round and going back the way they came.
Well there was no other way home for me so it was hold your
nose time and brave it. Floods on roads are often very deceptive and perspective is
often very deceiving (just a reminder, the road I was on was a frequently used
road and by no means a country lane) so I went for my gap when all cars seemed
to be dithering. The first section wasn’t as bad as anticipated and only
splashed excessively around my trainers, which were already soaked. Next part
of this three part assault course presented something completely different. Another
huge flood in the road and cars were actually trying to make their way through
this one. Hold the nose time again and I just went for it on my turn but however this time I found myself
fully immersed in the water completing revolutions in and out of the water
which felt very strange and additionally very uncomfortable. I must have been
underwater for about 30 seconds of cycling and when I came out the other side I
just looked at my lovely White socks which appeared filthy and that dirty Grey
colour they go when sodden. So the last stretch and just when you thought it
was safe to go back in the water one last extreme-water experience. I turned in
to the Fishery road after passing the train station and noticed every car was
halted with some struggling, almost floating away in the flood. I had to go through this excessive pool of water as it was the only option. Having walked this road every day to get the
train station to get work I thought I knew the limits of how this road could possibly flood but how I was
mistaken. At the deepest point in the flood / river / lake my water bottle attached
to my bike was covered in water, my knees were covered in water and I felt like
a cartoon character pedaling away under water. No more re-hydration for me then
until I got home.
Here is the route from today - http://www.strava.com/activities/90224468
Trials and tribulations aside I am delighted to have nailed
two rides back to back as it will take a lot more miles than this when I compete
in the real thing. However, this is great start and I feel like I am improving
which is the most important thing.
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