2 rides, 1 day

The better half wanted the car today, so I thought I would take the opportunity to try the new lights out and cycle to work. Well, up until the last-minute I hadn’t decided if I was going to ride or wimp out and get her to take me in the car. Well, at 0430 this morning, I had a peek out and saw it was a clear morning with a gentle wind, so I thought let’s go!

I was still a little unsure even when I was getting the bike out of the garage, it did feel rather cold, but I soon warmed once I got going. The new lights seemed to be doing a pretty good job of lighting the road up, and more importantly the rear lights were letting people know I was there, I had 1 on steady and 1 flashing, this seemed to work well as I had no “near misses” well, except one prat who seemed determined to squeeze past me and a traffic island, still it wasn’t that bad. There was a fair bit of standing water on the roads, but this didn’t really cause to many problems.

Trip: 11.99 Miles
Time: 00.52.39  (hh.mm.ss)
Average speed: 13.6mph
Average Cadence: 63rpm
Then lucky me, did a 12 hour shift!

So, 6pm comes and Im starting to look forward to the ride home, as it had been a glorious day and the wind had dropped, then at 610pm, the rain starts. And doesn’t stop. The missus phoned and asked if I wanted a lift home, but I said “nah” as it didn’t look too bad, she phoned again at 630, again asking if I wanted a lift, but again I said “No”. I can’t help but feel, if I took the “easy” option, by getting the lift then I would have failed. I’m either going to do this cycling or I’m not. I really want this, and I really want to be competitive in next years longer rides.

So, the rain is beating down and its very dark! now I have not done this combo before. On the cycle paths, it wasn’t too bad, just the many artics going by and splashing what felt like tons of cold water over me each time! When I finally got onto the road, it wasn’t too bad, again I was pleased with the lights and I had also “borrowed” my VERY hi-viz vest from work, so felt a bit safer in the dreadful conditions. It was when I got onto the flat, straight road that I had my 1st proper Joby style incident.

Some “Halfords Heros” in their Punto decided it would be great fun revving the engine up a few feet behind me, then as the road went straight decided to pull along side me, spit and me then shout “get your foot down fatty” Before revving up again and shooting off. I did manage a “fuck off” but suddenly became quite aware that I was a fair trek from anything even remotely resembling civilisation. This REALLY put me in a bad mood, who the hell do they think they are? yes, ok Im fat, but Im trying to do something about it, but I really don’t need it pointing out to me when its dark and pouring with rain. Still prehaps if these sad little “people” happen to be reading this, if indeed they can read, then feel free boys to have a pop at me in the daylight, when I can read your reg plate, and maybe me and my friend “big stick” will sort your attitudes out.

And Im never violent.

Still, got home with no further incident and apart from being wet beyond belief, my mood had improved and I felt I had a pretty good time in the bag.

Trip: 11.36 Miles
Time: 00.47.17  (hh.mm.ss)
Average speed: 14.4mph
Average Cadence: 66rpm

Total miles today: 23.35 miles

Total miles to date: 289 miles

So, yeah, pretty happy with that.

Well, going to update again mid – week with some plans, new goals and some new ideas.

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