The dictate that “sh*t happens” is never so appropriate than it is in cycling, because there’s a lot that can go wrong, and it normally does. And when it does, the only way we cope, and this applies right up to Pro level, is to say “That’s cycling!” because it somehow justifies everything and makes everyone feel better.
Saturday was another “S Happens” sort of day. 13 cyclists took off from the Square at 10:10. At 11:10, an hour later, only 3 cyclists had made it out of Stockton Lane. Kev had lost his entire group (make sense of that!) when he waited down the road but hadn’t banked on us taking an hour!, Dave K did the same and lost his easy riders, it rained around York when it wasn’t forecast to do so, the temperature dropped below 8 degrees at times, and the combined K, A, and Easy Riders groups only made it to Millington and back. With 6 punctures and lots of standing around freezing our butts off, it took us all day to do about 45 miles out ‘n’ back from York.
But, let’s extract the positives: we laughed all day, we managed to find a place to stretch the lungs at Kirby Underdale, we caught up with Claire & Cath in the café who were out on a solo, and when we were moving, it was at a nice, even, low tempo speed which is what we should be doing at this time of year.
There are many ‘thank yous’ for yesterday: Alison for some much-needed navigation at times, the entire group (Graeme, Kevin II, Nick M, Ros L, Alison, Matt, young Peter H and John) for prevailing through a difficult weather day in extremely good humour, to the proprietors of the Ramblers Rest in Millington for having two roaring log fires ready for our arrival and to Caicias, god of the northeast wind (according to Wiki!), who conspired to bring upon us a tail wind for the trip home.
I arrived back home with only 60 miles on the clock, a filthy Summer bike and a Clifton cycling top with mud spatter stains up my back that now won’t come out! The ride to Millington and back had taken all day…but I really enjoyed the company, it was a great fun! And you know, that’s cycling!…that’s what brings us back next week. (But I'll have my Winter stuff with me next time
)D.
PS. It’s great that people comment on the weekend rides, including the 8:45-ers, but a very polite request that anyone who’s up for it, (it can be anyone!), please open the Weekend Roundup topic, and then we can all join in! Thanks.
