MA7 - Laughter and tears

Last day today and we are cycling to the lighthouse - Cap Formentor.  It's only a 30 mile ride with a few undulations (according to Stuart) so we have a leisurely 9.30 start.  

We all decide to wear the VCC kit today and it's great to see that everyone who was scheduled to be in the Intros group all week has ridden every day.  We've had a few guest riders too, but this picture shows the core group.

We are all in one piece, but a few ailments have cropped up, so there is some drug sharing at the start of the day.  Not quite EPO levels, more your ibuprofen and anti histamine!

As we set off on the ride Dianne notices that there seems to be a certain amount of uphill involved!

She's not wrong and there is a beast of a climb at the beginning!  This is followed by a huge downhill, and then we are only half way there.  The rest is just a few undulations says Stuart.   The second half of the outward trip is now cruel hills.  We get a brief respite to put our lights on for the tunnel, but the rest is hell!

Apart from the physical challenge of this ride, there is an element of mental torture.  On the way out to the lighthouse you know that every single downhill needs to be climbed back up on the return journey.

When we arrive at the lighthouse we all say that we are not sure if we can make the return journey, but a coffee and cake help and we are refreshed enough to pose for a team photo before we start the ride back.

Susan, Deborah, Dianne, Lesley, Wendy, Stuart, Laura, Mel and Shaun

The hills are just as bad on the way back, and I recollect 2 years ago just doing the first half of the ride and stopping on the big hill half way up to "admire the view".  At this point a line from a poem that my brother wrote for Stuart and my wedding came unbidden to mind.  So this time I am ready and have a copy of the poem so that I can read it to Stuart at the viewpoint on the hill.

The poem was written 10 years ago, but given the things that have happened in those 10 years I find it quite a struggle to read the poem without a few tears.  

Marriage is like cycling - toil, sweat, happiness and medals.

 But to keep going in a forward direction you must keep pushing those pedals!

The road is never straight or flat - it will twist and turn and bend

But keep each other peddling and the hills will always end.

When you get to the top of the hill make sure you rest a while

For what's the point of all that effort if you're too tired to smile.

Enjoy the downhills while they last for they too will always end

So lift each other's spirits until the pub around the bend.

When you're running out of breath and your legs are starting to ache

Get off your bike, enjoy the view and have a piece of cake.

Life is short, life is precious and a journey to be travelled with care.

Even when the going gets tough, life's troubles you can (now) share.

But apologies for these thought that must appear quite random

Cycling - like life - is fun for one, but better on a tandem.

 Finally now I must close, but with a thought from deep inside

I'm so happy and proud to be able to say - 

Please - a toast to the Groom and Bride!

We complete the rest of the downhill and are delighted to find that everyone has made the final journey without incident.  

This is a group of riders who have never done anything like this before, didn't believe that could do two 50 mile rides back to back and have now ridden over 300 miles in 6 days.

Thanks to all the guys in the Intros group you have been amazing to ride with, and share lots of laughs with, you've really made this holiday special!

And most of all thanks to Stuart for making this happen and planning a superb week, but we do need to talk about your definition of undulations!