Never to walk in anyone’s shadow

In a few weeks from now, we’re going to need all the photos I took today to remind us of what riding is supposed to be like, and how lovely it can be.  Which will partially explain my reliance on the photo diary aspect of today’s ACG ride.  That and the fact that I’m supposed to be doing other things, not blogging!

There were 8 of us this morning, for a longer than usual ride, thus billed in advance by GB so no-one could complain they didn’t know what they were letting themselves in for.  Myself, GB, Figgy (aka Chris), Chris (aka Broadway Danny Rose), Peter, Steve, MTB Steve and Martyn.  I think that makes 8.  Counting to 8 is tricky.  In that brief glimpse over my shoulder to check on those behind me, I’m lucky if I get to four before I feel the need to be looking in front of me again! Still at least it’s an even number, that always helps.  The cyclists went in two by two?

If you’ve clicked on the link, you’ve seen the route.  Basically it went south to Langport for coffee and back again.  Which would be just typical directionally speaking for a day when the wind was from the west and therefore a crosswind all day.  No fair!  There was quite a lot of it too, making sure our sunny day, already that bit cooler, didn’t get too hot.  In fact temperature wise it was pretty much perfect :).  Not just temperature wise either…

There has to be a photo of GB in front of me somewhere right?  It’s somewhat of a tradition by now.  Martyn gave our ride a thumbs up again, resplendent once again in mustard jersey.  It’s apparently not yellow.  Oh no it isn’t.  Oh yes it is…  Too early for pantomime?

It was a fast ride.  With silly sprints.  And mini races.  And so on.  Something to do, just possibly, with the amount of testosterone around.  Which is probably true, but also means I have no excuse whatsoever for me being just as bad! *grin*.  We got to Wedmore having averaged 21.1 mph.  Now I know I’ve been complaining about the last few rides being slow, but that’s just taking the p*ss…

We continued our way South, and up into Shapwick…

…before getting to hurtle downhill, around the obstacle course formed by two buses and two horses.  OK, so I should have sat behind the bus and sedately made my way down, but where’s the fun in that?  I can just about do downhill – please don’t take that away from me too! *grin*

Having gone down, it was time go up.  You could practically hear Figgy’s cries of childish glee as we hit the bottom of High Ham Hill and he pulled away into the distance like the rest of us were standing still…  I did my best, got me a PB, and was the third to the top.  Not bad.  Not bad at all :).

It’s quite pretty up there, as you can see.  We gathered on the green, one by one, until we were all back toGether again.

It’s thirsty work climbing that hill, especially in the sun!

The coffee stop was nearly upon us, and the descent from here is one of my favourites.  My legs wanted to hurtle, so I decided to let them, which was massive amounts of unsociable fun.  I let them take me all the way to the sharp RH bend from whence to play sportive photographer and capture the ACG hurtling by.

Don’t we look fast?  Practically an action shot!  I need to find the setting on my camera that does that kind of thing…

Coffee was at the Potting Shed in Langport, where we’ve been before, and it was just as nice as on our previous visits.  Nice flowers too.

Having said that, there were so many cyclists there – not just us – that I think we over-whelmed them a little, in that I got change for my coffee from £2 not £5 and didn’t notice until it was too late.  Still, as hubby pointed out, it’ll come back to me one way or another.  Life’s like that.  Easy come, easy go…

So there was coffee.  Drunk in synchronised fashion, because we’re, like, a group or something.

And cake.  And conversation.

And this…the food of champions?

Maybe if TeamGB had had a few of these for breakfast, the road race later would have gone better…? :/.  *sigh*.  Ah well…  Duly refuelled it was time to head North again, tempting though it was to sit there in the sunshine for a little longer.

There was quite a lot of stopping and reGrouping as we made our way back, but we did pretty much manage to stay a Group that way, which I feel is important.  After all, like it not it’s not a race.  Which didn’t stop yet more juvenile behaviour from all of us.  It’s so hard to behave when the sun is out and it’s all going well and your legs feel rocket powered *grin*.

Look – a yellow cyclists dot to dot.  The breadcrumb trail for Hansel and Gretel?

The Tor.  In Glastonbury, not London ;).

It would be wrong to mention hay and sun shine again right?  Oops…too late *grin*.

If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me (pointing a camera in your direction inevitably)…or alternatively, just follow the sign? :D.

And then, just like that, we were home.  Even the little climb up from the A38 into Town didn’t bother me.  Although I did p*ss off some female motorist on the way in.  She was in her car waiting to turn right into Houlgate Way, and moved over just as I got there so as to not leave any room to pass her on the inside.  So I went round her on the outside just as she was starting to turn.  OK, not ideal but…  She was apparently quite vocal in her disapproval of me to those who came after me.  I’d like to say I cared but…*diddums* – next time position yourself in the road properly, you don’t own it!  *grin*.  Oops, did that testosterone rub off on me after all? 😉

Cycling time: 2:39:55 hrs
Distance: 46.40 miles
Avs: 17.4 mph.
ODO: 15147 miles

Fast – though slower than it might have been as we were a little more leisurely on the way back :).

As you can see, the wondrous folk at Rapha have been very lovely indeed.  They agreed to replace my torn gloves with nary a quibble, but they discovered that they couldn’t because they’re out of stock of my women’s gloves in small.  They rang me to discuss it all with me, and I ended up with these, the men’s GB gloves in XS.  It was that or no gloves at all and a credit note.  I need gloves, and there’s nothing else I’m desperately after at the moment so it was worth a go, right?  I was a bit worried they wouldn’t fit, and they are a teensy bit bigger but…I wore them today, and we’re going to be just fine together :).  Plus they’ll match the new bike – bonus! *grin*.

And finally…

Did you know, that as of today, taking into account the mileage on both my bikes since I started paying attention to such things, I have now done the equivalent of cycling around the world?  I have done 24,904 miles.  Which is just AWESOME!  I’m very proud of me and my legs.  It’s amazing what the human body can do.  I’m no Olympian, but as feats go…wow :).  Blowing my own trumpet it may be…but I think it’s pretty impressive.  So there! :P.

As well as being proud of them, I’m also really pleased that my legs were back today, I missed them last week.  Hello legs :).

They were back.  Back and flying.  Unstoppable.  Sorry but when they’re like that there’s just no arguing with them!  Unsurprisingly I had a great ride :D.  Time, however, to go and do what I’m actually supposed to be doing rather than this…  Painting my nails is very important I’ll have you know! 😉