Yesterday I planned to do my first Century ride today. The weather didn't seem to bad. Chilly to start, a couple of passing showers and a gentle wind form the SW. Nazaneen, I used to trust you.... Not any more though! You didn't mention hailstorms and winds from the NW that dropped my speed to 8MPH at times!
Anyway, on with the day.
I finished work at midnight and was in bed by 01:15. Up at 07:00 to have some porage & get up and riding fairly early. 08:00 was the plan. I unlocked the bike shed and stepped inside to save getting wet before I even started. Slight delay until the rain stopped meant time for a proper coffee to perk me up.
I'd printed off a map that I was going to sort of follow, with deviations from the route as and when I felt the urge or saw a road I wished to use. My main intention was to get 100 miles done.
When I was approaching Oundle, I could see the skies darkening by the minute. The heavens were starting to open half way up the hill into the town centre so I took refuge under an archway and said a cheery hello to another couple of cyclists with the same idea as me!
Hail....... Well, it is Spring after all.
Once again, my 'portrait' pics don't display as they should (??) Never mind, cock ya head if you want to see them properly!
When the weather cleared up a bit, I headed on through the town centre and in the general direction of Grafham Water.
It's a bit narrow through the town.
On the way to Grafham, I met the two lads who were sheltering from the hail again. They are from London, and had caught a train to St Neots to ride a circuit around Northants/Cambridgeshire thence back to the station and catch the train back to London.
On 60 miles at Grafham, I topped up with a Mozzarella, Bacon & tomato toasted Panini, washed down with a mug of black coffee. The ladies there are quite a laugh if you get chatting with them and they were happy to fill my water bottle up for my return journey.
On my way over, the wind had changed direction and had picked up quite a bit. The ride over the dam was head on.
Very scenic though!
The 40 miles back proved to be much more of a struggle than I had anticipated. My legs were going great and I'd averaged over 16 MPH for the first 60 with out much bother. 30 of the last 40 miles, however, proved to be a battle against the headwind! I was back on familiar roads now, and knew the open fields would be a challenge.
THIS, is a photo of a b*stard headwind..
Nazaneen, if the wife's out, I'm going to bring you round mine and spank your bottom for lying about 'light breezes, you naughty naughty girl!
Anyway.. Back to reality!
No more pics from here on as I was starting to struggle a bit to be honest. I had only one thought in my mind and that was getting my 100 done.
My mind was in the right place though and I knew I would do it. I'd reached 84 miles, which was my previous longest distance and still felt good.
On the last miles, I had several amusing moments to cherish, sadly/luckily not preserved on film..
#1 After passing Podington Raceway, as the races finished and the boys were heading home, someone mooned at me out of the passenger window. Only one comment really mate.. If that's your girlfriend, her butt needs a shave!
Much respect to the drivers though.. Every one of them gave me space as they passed in their mega suped-up cars.
#2 At 98miles, I'd reached the top of Gt. Billing hill and was crossing the old A45 when I had to wait for a few cars. As I'd anticipated a space and was on the down-stroke, another car came round the corner.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, I attempted to stop & unclip and failed at both! Exit stage left!!
Hopefully, none of the 7 or 8 cars or the passengers on the nearby bus saw the ignominity of the moment
Memorable day for me though. first 100 mile ride sorted!
http://www.strava.com/activities/123325935
being a petrol head myself my year and make/model is it and from that i can workout engine size and mk whatever and roughly how much you paid for it or at least how much you should have done!
