Just wanted to post a quick update and let you know that I got everything sorted and made an effort to go on the big ride today. It was a new experience meeting a group of regular cyclists who were all kitted out and riding nice light racers carrying the minimum of baggage. I was there with the much heavier commuter bike that had a rack on the back where I stored my stuff in a top box. I was by far the heaviest vehicle there. So as you can expect I was a bit apprehensive, especially as the group set off at a very quick pace. Apparently one of the riders had a tendancy to use the Sunday rides as part of his cycle training and the organiser who usually pulls him in and sets a more realistic pace wasn't there.
So for the first few miles the pace was brisk to say the least. One of the other guys dropped back and said to me if I was to lose the group I could drop off and cycle an alternative route with J the 78 yr old rider. Now that did do wonders for my fragile confidence. Anyway as luck would have it the pace calmed down a little and the rest of the ride out was very pleasant indeed. We stopped for a short bite to eat and a drink then headed back an alternative route which generally had a few more hills involved (though not too big). Again the odd period of where the pace picked up was noticable but generally I was able to stick tightly with the Group. A few of the members actually said that I had done 'remarkably' well considering that I didn't have spd shoes and pedals and I had the heaviest bike. I took the compliment and said thankyou.
A few more miles in, probably with about 7 miles to go a couple of guys said there goodbyes and left the group. As I was at the back this then created a gap between me and the next last rider just as the pace picked up again. This combined with a few hills I then found it extremely difficult to keep up and maintain the required speed to ensure I didn't lose sight of them. The gap increased to about three car lengths and I was determined not to let it get any more (though my legs were really aching at this point). Somehow I managed to pull the gap in a bit to around two car lengths and as the group stopped for some red lights I was able to tuck back in as they set off again as they turned green. The pace was still brisk at 18-19mph with brief sections of 21 and 25mph. If I'm honest this part of the ride was less enjoyable infact it was too quick for me although it was a good test.
The majority of the group where riding on to home but me and another guy had to leave them to get to the original starting point to pick up our cars. Whilst the pace was now slower the terrain for the next 2.5 miles was very hilly and this was really sapping the remainning energy out of my tired legs. I had to stick with the other member as I had no idea of where I was or of how to get back to the car. If I lost him I was lost. Anyway, he kept his eye on me and didn't leave me in the distance so we both made it back to our cars safely. I fixed the bike onto the car just before the rain arrived. So all in all a sucessful ride which totalled just over 63.5 miles. As you can guess my legs are very tired but I'm quite pleased with myself.
Cheers, BustaGut!
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