Where did my legs go?

So, I finally decided that if you want something done, do it yourself. I
volunteered my services to the imminent junior cycling club[1] in the area
and nearly got sent on a coaching course today. A that didn't happen (I'm
doing the one in the autumn instead) I got clearance from SWMBO to go on the
local club run.
I met up at the appointed place and was generally impressed by how friendly
they all were. Three guys shot off up the road while we were standing
there.. I overheard the words 'they're wanting to go a bit slower' but
didn't quite grasp the significance then.

And we were off. I haven't ridden in a group for a long time so was quite
nervous, but soon settled in. The pace seemed fine as we headed off int he
direction of Kirriemuir. Out through Newtyle, and up to Alyth. A gentle
rise[2] saw me off the back but I soon got back on.. they wait and keep
together as a group.

One of the great things about a well drilled peloton is that it is like a
barn dance. Every so often the person you are riding next to changes, so you
get someone new to talk to.

Up past the golg course in ALyth. "We're going up Den o' Airlie". But the
route changed at the last minute and instead of going right, we went
straight on, or should I say, straight up. Some of the mountain goats shot
off the front while I fell off the back. The problem with climbing hills
into the wind is that if you do drop off the back you have the hill and the
wind to deal with, and, on my 39x26, I was right on the limit of my gearing,
and probably beyond the limit of my legs.

Serious chasing ensued, attempting to make sure that I didn't lose the
others (though they would eventually wait) , and attempting to make sure I
didn't just blow up. By the time the Reekie Linn had been passed and we got
to the flatter part, my stomach muscles were really complaining about the
effort. The cafe couldn't come soon enough.

A rolling road over the top followed, gusting winds bringing flurries of
snow to add to the heaps by the roadside. I'd met up with the others, though
this only lasted as long as the road was flat or downhill. At least on the
descents the extra few (ahem!) kilos were an advantage instead of a
liability. The cafe stop came and all to soon was over. Now with the wind
behind it felt somewhat chill, with a fast, long descent to Glamis. A slight
rise confirmed that the legs had not recovered despite the therapeutic
effects of jaffa cakes and tea.

A rolling road back to newtyle faound the bunch easing up every time the
road went up, and as we rolled into Newtyle, with th eprospect of a long
climb ahead I wished them well and they shot off into the distance, no
longer encumbered by a slow, tired trundly. A glimpse as they went round a
bend high up the climb was the last I saw of them as I reverted to zombie
mode, that state where you just keep turning the pedals because you know
that if you stop, you really won't start again.

A slight diversion and I get home with no more hills. And in time for lunch,
a hot bath and a lie down. And my legs still hurt now..

But despite the inadequacies of the engine, it was a great ride. The weather
was fantastic, crisp, cold and clear. The company was great and the bunch
could not have been more accommodating. I'll definitely be back, hopefully
for a slightly flatter run, and possibly with some slightly easier gearing.

...d

[1] This is part of the Go-ride scheme
[2] Read 'mountain' if you are in the fens ;-)

in message , David Martin
') wrote:

So, I finally decided that if you want something done, do it yourself.
I volunteered my services to the imminent junior cycling club[1] in
the area and nearly got sent on a coaching course today. A that didn't
happen (I'm doing the one in the autumn instead) I got clearance from
SWMBO to go on the local club run.
I met up at the appointed place and was generally impressed by how
friendly they all were. Three guys shot off up the road while we were
standing there.. I overheard the words 'they're wanting to go a bit
slower' but didn't quite grasp the significance then.

Congratulations - nice ride report. Reminds me of when (just last year)
I started riding with more serious riders. I'm still slowest up the
hills, but apart from that I'm doing OK and enjoying myself hugely.


--
(Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; Perl ... is the Brittney Spears of programming - easily accessible
;; but, in the final analysis, empty of any significant thought
;; Frank Adrian on Slashdot, 21st July 2003

David Martin wrote in
:

So, I finally decided that if you want something done, do it yourself.
I volunteered my services to the imminent junior cycling club[1] in
the area and nearly got sent on a coaching course today. A that didn't
happen (I'm doing the one in the autumn instead) I got clearance from
SWMBO to go on the local club run.
I met up at the appointed place and was generally impressed by how
friendly they all were. Three guys shot off up the road while we were
standing there.. I overheard the words 'they're wanting to go a bit
slower' but didn't quite grasp the significance then.


Good ride report David! It's quite enjoyable riding in a group, so much so
in fact I'm going to invest in a road bike!

What mileage did you do?


Regards

--
Brian

On 21/2/05 7:34 am, in article
, "Brian"
wrote:

David Martin wrote in
:

So, I finally decided that if you want something done, do it yourself.
I volunteered my services to the imminent junior cycling club[1] in
the area and nearly got sent on a coaching course today. A that didn't
happen (I'm doing the one in the autumn instead) I got clearance from
SWMBO to go on the local club run.
I met up at the appointed place and was generally impressed by how
friendly they all were. Three guys shot off up the road while we were
standing there.. I overheard the words 'they're wanting to go a bit
slower' but didn't quite grasp the significance then.


Good ride report David! It's quite enjoyable riding in a group, so much so
in fact I'm going to invest in a road bike!

What mileage did you do?

The computer said 150km but I forgot to reset it after the last outing.. so
from my knowledge of the area, around 50 miles.

The part that is still aching is the stomach muscles, rather than the legs.
I'll see if I can get permission to go and play next this weekend as well.

...d