Another day, another bicycle ride. My right calf is playing up again. And so no ParkRun.
Bugger.
But a bicycle ride will do just fine, especially if it means I can take in Day 2 of Ride Ldn as the world’s elite women riders roll out around the bloody Estuary Wilds.
I passed many other cyclists as I made my way over to Abberton. I’m not stating anything new when I saw that most roadies fail to return a friendly wave when you pass them, whereas other riders have a little more cycling etiquette.
I did randomly hook up with a very friendly Aussie rider. He clocked my Raleigh electric, and politely asked if he could drift in my slipstream.
Happy to oblige, possum.
I wasn’t entirely sure where I was heading, apart from the general direction of Abberton Reservoir. I found myself riding the Ride Ldn route whilst the roads were still open.
It was a race against the clock. I had work responsibilities later back at base. I wanted to get as far ahead on the course as I could, before the peloton chased me down.
I was caught short and had to take a pit stop roadside. Now would not be a good time for the pro riders to catch up. Taking a piss on live TV is never a good look.
A magnificent pheasant was also crouching in the undergrowth. He seemed completely oblivious to the cycling circus that was about to pass through.
I finally settled on my spot, just a short ride along from the main Reservoir. I strategically positioned myself on a bend, perfect for capturing the peloton as it slowed down.
Ten minutes later and WOH.
There they go.
Apart from a lone breakaway rider, the peloton remained as one. It was quite a sight seeing it take the corner at a tremendous pace.
The road was soon re-opened. I completed the Abberton loop, stopping off at the pool for a lunchtime swim. It took me around a dozen lengths before I found my rhythm.
The Postman Delivers: Three Alabama 3 CD’s, and Simple Minds’ New Gold Dream. The A3 are rarities; I had Simple Minds on vinyl way back when, but flogged it for fag money. FOOL.
I caught up with some podcast action in the afternoon. The BBC Nottingham look back on the Notts County season is superb listening. GET IN the Football League said it all. If you know, you know.
It’s great to get the World’s Oldest Football League Club sign back up down at The Lane.
To the Sailing Club!…. early evening. We had a WivGigs Saturday social row. Two boats were launched on the Sailing Club hard.
I was in Audacity. We headed downstream seeing how far the tide would take us. There was an obstacle course of some young Cadet sailors to negotiate first. The fleet looked impressive.
A tricky manoeuvre took place with a game of musical chairs in the boat. We swapped various places whilst other crew members kept on rowing.
The backdrop of the green growth on the trees and the dark blue sky was stunning. We didn’t have too long to take it in. An emergency stop was required as an over-eager young Cadet boat failed to spot us.
A decent row.
I was back home in time to catch the play-off final.
Football, bloody hell, etc.
I wouldn’t want to go through that again. Forest had it easy last year in comparison.