Since getting back on my bike over a week ago I have cycled 201 miles. Not so bad considering I was all set to put my bike away for the winter.
Last Sunday Philip and I cycled in Manchester. Being a little disappointed that I have not cycled any organised rides this year I decided to do the 100k ride while Philip did the 100m. Last year I did the 100m with Philip. This year Philip has done a great deal of cycling, I could of opted for the 100m and would of finished but if I was to ride it with Philip I would of ended up slowing him down towards the end so decided upon a ride on my own.
It was an early start as we were up at 04.00a.m. to drive to Manchester. Philip set off an hour before me as he was doing the longer ride. As I patiently waited for 08.00. I had it set in my mind that I was going to enjoy this ride, even though I was doing it alone.
I set off amongst numerous other cyclists wondering which ones I would leave behind and which ones would leave me behind!
It was an early start as we were up at 04.00a.m. to drive to Manchester. Philip set off an hour before me as he was doing the longer ride. As I patiently waited for 08.00. I had it set in my mind that I was going to enjoy this ride, even though I was doing it alone.
I set off amongst numerous other cyclists wondering which ones I would leave behind and which ones would leave me behind!
Cycling on my own I found that I was cycling too fast and so stayed with a few groups for a while to even out my pace. At one point upon looking at my map I thought that I had gone terribly wrong, even though I turned off at the point for the shorter ride. Mentally trying to prepare myself for the 100 miles that I thought I had to do instead of 100k I picked up my speed. Confirmation at the next glance at my map told me I was on the right road phew!
I finished my ride at 12.05 and felt fantastic. Four hours and five minutes I was pleased with.
I had to wait a couple of hours for Philip to complete his ride and watched the riders as they came in. When Philip arrived over the finish line riders too were also crossing from the 100k ride. I think I did ok!
I finished my ride at 12.05 and felt fantastic. Four hours and five minutes I was pleased with.
I had to wait a couple of hours for Philip to complete his ride and watched the riders as they came in. When Philip arrived over the finish line riders too were also crossing from the 100k ride. I think I did ok!
I'm terrible at trying to follow the signs at sportives. I've never done a road sportive yet where I haven't gone wrong at some point or another.
ReplyDeleteI always have this worry in the back of my mind that i'm on the wrong road, that I will end up getting terribly lost.
I had the same thoughts as you, in that I too thought I had strayed onto the 100 miler, but hadn't!
ReplyDeleteWe had similar times too, although I finished in 4hrs 14 minutes. Good going! What time did Philip finish in?
Without a doubt you did a lot better than *just* ok -Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteLost Sheep hey we must of cycled past one another :)
ReplyDeletePhilip finished in about 6 hours.
Thanks Cami I was really chuffed with myself :)
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the ride. It's a lot of fun to ride in a group setting but not fun to feel like you're lost.
ReplyDeleteWow! Great job on your ride when you were ready to hang up the bike earlier. What a great way to end the season with a smile on your face from a great ride.
ReplyDeleteAmazing job!! I've not been on my bike in 2 weeks. I'm going into withdrawal!
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled upon your blog and, intrigued, searched for the source of the music. Great video. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell done on your ride, too. I still have to do a century ride this year, an imperial this is. I did a metric century in January but not since.
I just stumbled here too...
ReplyDeleteAn impromtu 100k Nice!
Wow this is a very successful event. It seems that race is very interesting. The pictures and the post are the evidence.
ReplyDelete