May started with a delightful Randonnee in the Isle of Wight. We met up with friends from our Costa Rica Michelle and Steve and caught the early ferry from Southampton
The weather was very kind to us, and although we only did the shorter route, it was a superb day out, cycling, cakes, conversation and catch up. What's not to love?
This month I also did 3 rides up Bison hill, a notorious hill climb not far from where we live, I generally avoid it and have only ridden it once before, so 3 times in one month is a bit of over kill!
The first time up Bison Hill was a practice run with Stuart, the second time was with the Breeze ladies. Although this sign is half way back down the hill again, there were no dissenters to the suggestion of the group photo, despite the extra hill climbing involved. Breeze ladies do like their photo oppprtunities!
We won't mention the third time, but suffice to say Deborah won't be drinking two for one cocktails the night before attempting Bison again!
There were also a couple of Breeze rides to Frithsden Vineyard. The Blazing Blues ride was to catch the last of the Bluebells and then head to Frithsden
The Roaring Reds ride was direct to Frithsden. Both rides may well have involved the amazing blueberry scone cream teas!
There were also three Sunday club rides, one to Pitstone, Laura's first VCC ride, next to Gravely garden centre and the third a new destination Dursley farmshop. There is also a new starting point for the VCC club as there are now so many riders on a Sunday morning we have out grown the old meeting point.
One lovely addition to the riding agenda this month is the Thursday evening Roaring Reds ride around the lanes, led by the marvellous Tracey Williams. Summer evening bike rides as the sun is setting followed by a natter on the pub are a fine way to spend an evening!
Cycling is not just about having fun (actually it is!), but I have also been doing a few cycle training circuits - 10 times round a 0.6 mile loop. Takes less than half an hour so with the light mornings I can now practice before work. When I started these laps in March my average was 11.7mph, this month I hit 15.2mph. It's hard getting up at 5am, but I think it is making a difference!
Stuart's been away on holiday this month, cycling in Italy with his buddies, (this has not apparently caused any reduction in my cycling activities!) However, when he returned I was so pleased to have him back I insisted we went out to do the Tour D'Essex route. I'm sure he was delighted to head out on a 65 mile bike ride the day after he got back from a tough holiday!
We weren't doing the actual Sportive, this had taken place the week before, but we were following the route of the Sportive. One downside to doing it this way is a distinct lack of feed stations. We had to resort to Costa Express!
Another downside is that Stuart and I find it hard to stay on track when not doing an official ride - exploring is half the fun!
We spotted a bridle path on the map that looked like an interesting route, and despite being advised by the locals that it probably wasn't ideal for road bikes we set off anyway. The pictures below are the more cyclable part of the route! At one stage we were carrying our bikes across ploughed fields!
The ride started in Chigwell, which was pretty vile, but as soon as we got further north Essex turned out to be just fine. I now have a new rule, never start a ride inside the M25.
So last Sunday evening, at about 9pm I was finally sitting down to relax, scrolling through facebook, when I noticed that someone had set up a Breeze ladies leaderboard on Strava. Amazingly I was in second place! And only 2 miles behind the leader! And it was still daylight! I'm not competitive, but......
I hopped on my bike, did the extra 2 miles and briefly (very briefly!) enjoyed my moment of glory at the top of the leaderboard!
