One of the guys turned up on his motorbike (TG), two of us had to do with borrowed bikes (Seatpin and I) and Sprinter had a bike with creaky spokes ;-) but for the first time in a long time (maybe ever seen as Seatpin wasn't in Hull for Uni) we rode together on Saturday and it was great. Well, I say great, I think TG enjoyed it but the other 3 of us probably had mixed feelings. Such is the way when you're not at the front....or 100m off it like TG was on the climbs! I say TG had a motorbike based on the fact that his went alot faster than ours and I never caught him breathing hard.
I found myself chuckling a few times. On the train over I'd been thinking about how people would be on the ride. One by one my thoughts turned to reality - I smiled as Sprinter went for every sprint point he could but then faded when we went up, Seatpin went fast on the climbs and had 2 foot of seatpin showing, TG got a little bit competitive and made sure he got to the top first and me.....? I just enjoyed myself, dazzled the boys with my power (NOT!) and complained about all the headwind. We don't have that over here!
It was good to get out together because you can't compare the different rides we're doing. We all have different terrain, different weather and ride different distances. On Saturday it was the same for everyone (TG's Yamaha excluded) and I guess the guys would agree with me that everyone is about where they probably expected to be, fitness wise. Poor Sprinter lives life at 1,000,000mph (making training difficult to squeeze in!) and had just moved the day before so he struggled on the hills a bit, Seatpin Col was good on the hills - behind TG but ahead of me, TG was the best full stop and the guys found out that it's not me doing these 18mph rides I post - it must be someone else!
I'm hoping the competitiveness remains under control a little longer in August otherwise we're not all going to make it and the one's that do won't know what day it is when they finish. Keep watching to find out in August - Can TG ride like a madman up mountains (probably) - Can Seatpin stay with him (maybe) - Can Sprinter suffer enough to complete it (hope so) - Can I ride any worse than Saturday (please no!).
Here's the ride route by the way... 84 miles, 17.4mph
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/277236
Only another 46miles and twice the climbing boys ;-(
Nathan Evington
28/02/77 - 03/11/07
About Nathan
Nathan, was a big chap in more ways than one. He was always to be found at the centre of the action, telling it exactly as it was – loudly!
In fact, Nathan was in such a hurry to make his impact on the world, he arrived on a cold February morning 8 weeks early. He was so premature that he spent his first month in hospital, and at the time was one of the youngest babies in Hedon Road hospital to survive!
Cycling played a huge part in Nathan’s life. He loved the film American Flyers and watched it many times. In it, there is a scene where the main character does the "torture test" which involved running on a treadmill for as long as possible before ending the test by hitting the "chicken" switch. After Nathan’s diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in 2004, he was actually quite excited to discover that he would be required to do his own "torture test" and spent a good deal of time psyching himself up for a good performance. In fact, he was so determined that it was ultimately the doctor, his Mum and the technician who had to drag him off, as Nathan refused to give in himself.
Cycling also revealed Nathan’s talent for remembering facts and figures. He was our very own walking cycling encyclopaedia. He loved to test his friends and show off his knowledge, and he was always the person you would want on your pub quiz team.
Nathan was determined to live life to the full, and unbeknown to his Mum he began playing in a football team a few years ago. The cat was out of the bag when a new football trophy took pride of place on the mantelpiece one evening. Nathan was very proud of himself and his team-mates, although I am reliably informed that Nathan was valued more for his enthusiastic participation, rather than his football talents – which led to his shots on goal just missing the target – 100% of the time!
Nathan was the life and soul of any party and loved to dance. He would always take to the dance floor first, and was quite happy to dance alone. However, his infectious enthusiasm always encouraged others to join him.
Nathan was a kind man, and always generous to a fault – on the benefit of his Mum and brother. He had a very special sense of humour – one he shared with his brother – and left his mark on everyone he met.
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6 comments:
Hmmm.. according to Garmin we did 7200' of climbing. According to memory map we only did 4300'... Bit of a calibration error there. So one of us is in trouble when we get to the Alps and realise we've only been doing half as much uphill as we thought we had!
The Garmin might be out seen as I didn't have the wheel magnet? It was pretty accurate in the Alps, got the peaks about right. Either way, we're both in trouble come the Alps if Moss brings his motorbike!
I'm afraid Mr Moss's motor bike is has been surgically implanted - so unless it gets weeded out at airport security then I think we're in trouble... Best get praying to the backwind Gods!
Seatpin, word to the wise - there are 3 'outside category' climbs to cover plus 2 little ones, we'll be doing 6mph. A tailwind is not going to help much! ;-)
In fact I felt better with the wind on my face, cools me down.
6mph!?! You taking a motor bike too are you???
if you can't beat 'em, join 'em I say! ;-)
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