This wasn’t the first club ride since returning from my jollys - that was last Saturday - I didn’t update my blog last week. I honestly thought I’d got away with it - the statistics indicate that the number of hits on the website has dropped - but sure enough Alan Holmes piped up this morning to let me know the blog had been a neglected a little. Sorry, Alan - this one’s for you!
I suppose one reason for the neglect may be that my weight loss hasn’t been great since returning from the United States of Americanland. Another reason is I’ve been fairly hectic since coming back. Still, no excuses - here’s the first update.
I was looking forward to Saturday’s ride for several reasons.
The first reason was seeing people I’d not really seen since coming back - including Lisa, Cath, Steve, Andy Holmes, Alan Holmes, and Lucy. There was also a nice inclusion of Lucy’s sister Annabel, who attends uni in York so we rarely see her.
Secondly, the weather was apparently going to be stunning. The sky opened last night and deposited itself in a fashion I’ve not seen in the UK for a long time, with lightening and thunder and a sky that looked like the backdrop for the Lord of the Rings. Still the weather report was indicating a sunny day for Saturday, and sure enough when I pulled back the curtains this morning it was glorious sunshine! Credit to the weathermen, they’re numpties for sometimes they get it right.
The third reason was a new bike. If you’re interested in the choice of bike and why, there’s a separate post called “If it’s good enough for Denis Menchov, it’s good enough for me“.
The fourth was that the ride was to be taken by Alan Holmes, a regular commentator on this site, and also a great bloke. From the very start, he’s always been one of first to congratulate me or ask me how things are going. He himself has had a great year, taking huge lumps out of his time trial time. He turned up very much looking like a rider from the pro peleton, with his Specialized Roubaix, Vags kit, and Specialized sunglasses - the bandana is a nice touch too!
As usual when the weather is nice, there was a big turn out (where ARE you people when it rains?), and the group would need to be split into 2. Alan’s son Andy would take a fast group, whilst Alan took a slower group. The route was to end up at the Bolam Lake Country Park - who have a fine collection of cakes to enjoy. Before the cake, there was a small matter of a bike ride. I usually decide which group I go with depending on who else goes, but riding a Giant TCR Advanced and going with the slow group would be a little bit of a cop out.
The route was extremely enjoyable - taking in several small climbs and some fun descents - including finishing over Middleton Bank (yes THAT Middleton Bank). The ride started out from Ponteland and followed the Club 10 route until Kirkley Hall, at which point we headed right out towards Morpeth. From there, I’d be hard pushed to tell you where we went, only that I really enjoyed the lumpy stuff for once. My boss once told me, “it never gets easier, you just get faster” and I see his point. Yes my legs hurt no less going up climbs, but I was definitely climbing faster. I’m sure riders around me were finding it much more leisurely, but for me it has always been tough when the road points upwards.
On a couple of occasions the ride was split as the front group went one direction and the tail enders went another, and both times I was caught out. The first time, a few of us (including Andy, Steve, Simon, Cath and Lisa) had to ride quite hard and fast to catch up. The strongest rider in our group was definitely Andy Holmes, and he set a pace that I struggled with as we tried to catch up. The second time, it was myself, Cath, Lisa and Wilf on our own as we took in an extra loop through Cambo before rejoining the original route up MIddleton Bank. Yes it’s no Col, but on a day where the greatest road cyclists in the World would be taking in Mont Ventoux, I wanted to give the climb my best shot.
So far I had been pretty confident on the climbs, but now I faced what has become somewhat of a nemesis. Col de Middleton Bank isn’t particularly steep. Nor is it long. But it’s no fun. As expected, Wilf, Cath and Lisa all stretched their legs and I was dropped. But rather than dropping back, I kept plugging away. As we reached the top, I had stayed in touch with Lisa who was a couple of bike lengths ahead, and a further 5 or 6 lengths behind Cath. Now, if any of you reading this think there’s any shame in being dropped by women, I invite you to come ride with these two. They have two speeds - quick, and quicker. As for Wilf, he won’t forgive me for saying this, but he’s in his 70s, and he vanished up Middleton Bank like Alberto Contador. Cath commented she’d be happy to still be on the bike at 70. Myself, I’ll be happy to still be here at 70.
At Bolam Lake, I needed sugar. A tiffin cake was in order (as usual). I also had a Coke (yes a full fat Coke) and a cuppa, before the lovely Lucy bought me an ice cream! Needless to say, I was on a sugar rush. Talking at 100mph, gabbling utter nonsense and giggling like a little girl, I clearly needed some more miles to shut me up.
On the way back we stopped outside Kirkley Hall, and I decided an extra loop was in order. I took the bull by the horns and arranged we follow the 18 mile course out to Whalton and Ogle, before heading back to Ponteland. We dropped Lucy and Annabel off at home on the way, and continued at a good pace back to Ponteland. As we hit Kirkley Hall for 3rd time, Andy and Lisa started pushing the pace. Where the hell they were finding the energy, I don’t know. My legs were like jelly! It’s clear to see why Andy can get round a club 10 in the time he does, and I did everything I could to keep up with them both.
Eventually we got to Anna’s cafe, and I pretended the extra loop had been a good idea but in truth my legs were killing - and I still had to get home. Luckily Cath and Lisa took it easy, and sat at the back with nothing but a hot shower on my mind.
The final tally - 67 miles, and the furthest I’ve ever been on a push bike before. I had thoroughly enjoyed the day, and in no small part to the great route that Alan and Andy Holmes had taken us on. It was also great to see Lucy and Annabel - they put on quite a show when the sibling rivalry kicks in. Of course having Steve, Cath and Lisa there is also an important part of the club ride for me, and I enjoyed their company immensely. Thanks, everyone.
It’s good to see you out again and the emthusiasm is back. Just don’t get too fast before the club TT series is over!
You are in BIG BIG trouble mate. It was the GIANT lady (aka Cath)that led the way back to Ponti
Enjoying working my way through your blogs. Had a great day on Saturday and those extra 18 miles finished it off nicely.
James, me ducks, it was an absolute thrill seeing you enjoying your lovely new penny farthing - and you were flying!
But not as much as Wilf up Middleton Bank! The man’s a macheen! He shot up that hill like a ferret out of a Yorkshireman’s trousers and wasn’t even slightly out of breath!
Apparently he “used to be quite fast”! :O
Alan - it was young Andy who was leading the way to Ponti - and bless him, he didn’t even realise he’d dropped us all and was riding on his own!