I thought that, since I was up at 07.30 for a 09.30 kick off, I could fit the beautiful new Conti Ultra Gatorskins that I bought for Pearson for Christmas before setting off. Ah, but he's very dirty, with signs of rust on some shiny bits like track nuts, due to salt no doubt. So it was a bike wash, then. Boiler suit over cycling kit, porridge on the stove, rush about gathering cleaning stuff, bike on stand, hot water and detergent, citrus de-greaser, brush, sponge, cloth to get into the crevices, dash back to kitchen and turn down heat on porridge, give it a stir, add a drop more milk, cover and leave on low heat, remove wheels, apply citrus to oily bits, lather the rest, hose down (water is VERY cold as I hold my thumb over the end - the simplest and best "hose attachment" I know), check porridge, switch off heat. Crickey! 08.15, clean spokes and hubs, replace old tyres with new, (changed mind about putting new tubes in), inflate tyres, back to kitchen, put porridge in bowl to cool (saves breath, ha ha) refit wheels adjust chain tension, click rear mudguard stays into fixings, set brakes, attach speedo, time has lurched to 08.50, take bike to house, gather milk and maple syrup, rip off boiler suit, momentarily unable to find my special spoon (can't possibly eat it without) find spoon, give more food to cats (three) to avoid tripping over them, 09.03 start gulping porridge, 09.10 stack porridge bowl and teacup by sink, no time to wash up - wife asleep recharging energy cells depleted by six days of catering for family gatherings of 7 to 17 souls hope no fuse blown by sight of dirty dishes, 09.15 pedal to garage for papers, back to house, throw them into kitchen, pause; check phone, camera, money, clean handkerchief, bottle on bike, make the gilet decision following test of temperature without boiler suit on the paper-run, leap on bike, 09.19, pedal like hell, after four minutes settle for merely brisk pace, up the hill through Tostock, gasping for breeeeaaaath, settle to cruise setting, slow down miserably going over A14 bridge, down into Beyton, get into a purposeful position just in case they're looking. Check watch 09.28. Whew. Plenty of time.Five of us go to La Hogue, destined to be Tea Stop of The Year. Weather was sunny to start with, but the mercury was sulking at zero celcius. However, with the help of the early sunshine the temperature rose, and normal longsleeve Club jerseys were sufficient when combined with a gilet (see above) over and several layers beneath.
We took a version of the normal return route for our outward leg. There was all the usual mud from the Sugar Beet harvest, and a fair few puddles to avoid. The high spot was probably spotting Jeremy Waterson's head and shoulders poking out of a manhole in a driveway as we rode through Livermere. As WSW MTB co-ordinator Jeremy will be no stranger to mud and discomfort; it was good to see someone who was prepared to get out there and help the economy.
At La Hogue we enjoyed quite the finest scones of the year. Slightly crusty on the outside, still warm from the oven, and maintaining their integrity when spread (important in so many activities, I feel) these baked beauties were imbued with perfect flavour from correct amounts of salt and sugar plus a good balance of fruit. The place was extremely busy overall, but the Café had plenty of room. As I enjoyed butter and jam on my scone, accompanied by a large cappuccino with chocolate on top, I couldn't help but notice my neighbour's spartan black coffee, no food and bare knees. Are you quite mad Gerry? I admit that I very rarely wear shorts even in Summer and never if it's below about 18c but, shorts? In December? Even the warmest December since 1886 or whatever it was? Oh, all right then. Not quite so deranged - but do think of those knees old chap.
My proposals for a more challenging route home were (quite correctly) over ruled and we went roughly the normal way back. 52 miles at a steady pace (coupled with my first run for over a month, yesterday) meant that my legs had had enough, thank you.
So, the final Blog of 2011, completed with five hours to go. Tomorrow is another year, so here's to many successful miles in good company, personal bests and achievements.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
SJH
At La Hogue we enjoyed quite the finest scones of the year. Slightly crusty on the outside, still warm from the oven, and maintaining their integrity when spread (important in so many activities, I feel) these baked beauties were imbued with perfect flavour from correct amounts of salt and sugar plus a good balance of fruit. The place was extremely busy overall, but the Café had plenty of room. As I enjoyed butter and jam on my scone, accompanied by a large cappuccino with chocolate on top, I couldn't help but notice my neighbour's spartan black coffee, no food and bare knees. Are you quite mad Gerry? I admit that I very rarely wear shorts even in Summer and never if it's below about 18c but, shorts? In December? Even the warmest December since 1886 or whatever it was? Oh, all right then. Not quite so deranged - but do think of those knees old chap.
My proposals for a more challenging route home were (quite correctly) over ruled and we went roughly the normal way back. 52 miles at a steady pace (coupled with my first run for over a month, yesterday) meant that my legs had had enough, thank you.
So, the final Blog of 2011, completed with five hours to go. Tomorrow is another year, so here's to many successful miles in good company, personal bests and achievements.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!SJH
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