So tired, so happy, such a fun and fabulous weekend!
Firstly, I have to say a BIG BIG thank you to everyone who I shared time with on the bike this weekend. Hopefully a few of you find your way to my blog. I would have spent several more cumulative hours on the bike without the people who let me grab their wheel, and the hours would have been far less enjoyable without the conversations and shared sense of accomplishment.
Today was a shorter "hillier" day (see elevation graph below), at 50 miles (or 80 km for anybody who is not desperately clinging to the past).
My day started with some very good luck. This time I made it to the festival in time to have a coffee before setting off (major error made yesterday), after taking off quite quickly, desperately hanging onto a group that tried to pass me I hit the deck whilst clipping someone's wheel. It was a little my fault (too close, probably because I was desperately trying to hang on), and a little the fault of someone several bikes ahead who braked. So, why is this considered a lucky start? Because I landed on my arse, didn't hurt myself (hoping for some cool bruising, which I won't be able to show anyone), and didn't split my bike pants open (Cycle Zone kit- built Territory Tough).
Whilst riding someone let me know my name had been mentioned the previous night as one of the cumulative top 3 females (not all cyclists are crazy/stupid enough to cycle the full 250 miles over the weekend). Having few podium finishes to my name, I thought I better put the hammer down and get to the finish line. Stopping only to shove a few flapjacks in my mouth at the fuel stop (note to Australians: flapjacks are muesli bars with no pretense of being healthy, butter, sugar and golden syrup held together with oats) I did about half the ride solo, and the other half with various new friends.
I was rewarded with being the second female of the day, and second female of the 250 mile for the weekend. Winners are grinners.
So, I sit here, with 15+ hours of weekend cycling under my belt, tired, but also happy that the last six months of training is working. I'm not the fastest, and I still have a lot of work to do to become of good hill climber, but I think I can line up at Le Tour de Dugong in eight (eight!) weeks knowing that I have worked hard to enjoy the experience as much as possible.
A last word. Pedal Norfolk was a really excellent event. The location, the atmosphere, the routes, the food available was all top notch. Thanks to all involved!
Firstly, I have to say a BIG BIG thank you to everyone who I shared time with on the bike this weekend. Hopefully a few of you find your way to my blog. I would have spent several more cumulative hours on the bike without the people who let me grab their wheel, and the hours would have been far less enjoyable without the conversations and shared sense of accomplishment.
Today was a shorter "hillier" day (see elevation graph below), at 50 miles (or 80 km for anybody who is not desperately clinging to the past).
My day started with some very good luck. This time I made it to the festival in time to have a coffee before setting off (major error made yesterday), after taking off quite quickly, desperately hanging onto a group that tried to pass me I hit the deck whilst clipping someone's wheel. It was a little my fault (too close, probably because I was desperately trying to hang on), and a little the fault of someone several bikes ahead who braked. So, why is this considered a lucky start? Because I landed on my arse, didn't hurt myself (hoping for some cool bruising, which I won't be able to show anyone), and didn't split my bike pants open (Cycle Zone kit- built Territory Tough).
Whilst riding someone let me know my name had been mentioned the previous night as one of the cumulative top 3 females (not all cyclists are crazy/stupid enough to cycle the full 250 miles over the weekend). Having few podium finishes to my name, I thought I better put the hammer down and get to the finish line. Stopping only to shove a few flapjacks in my mouth at the fuel stop (note to Australians: flapjacks are muesli bars with no pretense of being healthy, butter, sugar and golden syrup held together with oats) I did about half the ride solo, and the other half with various new friends.
I was rewarded with being the second female of the day, and second female of the 250 mile for the weekend. Winners are grinners.
So, I sit here, with 15+ hours of weekend cycling under my belt, tired, but also happy that the last six months of training is working. I'm not the fastest, and I still have a lot of work to do to become of good hill climber, but I think I can line up at Le Tour de Dugong in eight (eight!) weeks knowing that I have worked hard to enjoy the experience as much as possible.
A last word. Pedal Norfolk was a really excellent event. The location, the atmosphere, the routes, the food available was all top notch. Thanks to all involved!
Well done you !!
ReplyDeleteAfter all that cycling, a well written and entertaining blog too !
Hope your recovery goes well and good luck for your future training and competitions.