Club ride with Dorking CC

Yep. I finally went for my first club ride with DCC on Sunday. I decided to take the bike up in the car and looking back it was a good idea although I could have cycled up.

I honestly can’t remember who I first spoke to, but was taken inside the sports club to talk to Jennie (club secretary) and to sign some bits if paper.
They asked what sort of speed I was doing and told me I could go with the D1’s (beginners as such about 11mph) or D2’s (averageing 12 – 15).
Now I’ve always been told to go with a slightly faster group, and decided on the D2’s.
Flic(k) was to be ride leader, and with 2 other ladies I thought I’d be ok!
So we set off on the cycle path up towards west Humble and turned to go up Ranmore Commen road – with everyone wondering why there were so many sportive riders out riding toward us. King of the Downs (Evans Ride It) I told them 🙂
Gradually more and more from my group overtook me until I rode up next to Flick (not sure how she spells her name!) and had a bit of a chat with her.
We had a right laugh shouting ‘morning!!’ to these very very serious sportive riders and seeing how many we could get to reply (not that many 3 out of every 10 I’d guess). Then we started up Ranmore and I was alright for a while managing to hang in until just before the hairpin. Then I died a death (could neither breath or push those sodding pedals round!) And yes I got off and walked until just after the hairpin (feeling a twat!) Then back on and I caught up with Flick before we got to the others. Cue a few sympathetic smiles!!

Now I’m not sure exactly where we went after that, I was fine hanging on near the back until we hit proper hills. Then I struggled! A nice run downhill – thank god someone said there was a t junction at the bottom. Then off again. The next time we stopped (at another t junction) we had Kingston Wheelers in the opposite side of the road waiting/resting (someone had come off I think) and the sportive riders coming up the hill next to us! Slight chaos! Chatted to a couple of lads, as we waited for Flick. Then we heard she had a puncture and someone suggested waiting at the bottom of the hill by the A25 to ease the congestion!

After a good ten mins, we set off minus Flick (she was fine) and I managed to ride the next hill out of the saddle on the big ring without noticing! Or getting dropped (cue victory dance). I remember we turned left at the top and being asked how many was behind me. I knew the other 2 ladies were somewhere. Off I hared after the rest and glimpsed one going down the hill in front of me. By this time I knew were not far out of Shere but otherwise had no idea where we were!

The other two ladies had gone and the bloke in charge told us we had gone the wrong way!
I remember going to put my foot on the pedal and missing, thinking I had just whacked my leg on the crank, I carried on. This was to be my undoing in a mile or so!
‘Your legs bleeding’
‘Is it? Oh.’ Quick look down but I couldnt see much beside a cat 4 tat from earlier. But I was riding back up the steep hill we’d wrongly gone down, then we went down another hill (we’d missed the t junction) and clustered at the botton.
‘You alright?’

I had a proper look, I’d sliced it good and proper but it felt ok.

We carried on, but I was dropped within a minute. Stiff and sore this freaking hurt to pedal! They did wait for me, and were rather concerned.

Did I want someone to get their car?
No but thank you!

Brian then asked if I wanted to ride back to the sports center slowly. Yeah, think that would be best.

I felt like a fool but hey! We made it back – lots of lovely downhills into Dorking on the A25!!

I thanked him when we got back, and set off home…

If you want to see the pic its either on Facebook or Twitter!!

Thanks Dorking CC for looking out for me, and it was a great ride on a beautiful day! Even though I can’t climb!! I’ll be back for more pain 😉

Then I went to Eastbourne for the E/1/2/3 mens racing and met up with Lois (@ClaudAndI). What a great chilled afternoon!

Keep smiling
I’m going back to work…
Ciao!

The lonely road

Hopefully in a weeks time I will have at least some of my stuff packed. In reality I probably won’t.
Moving is a hassle. No doubt about it. Previously it’s been a few minutes down the road. Then half an hour or so. This time it’s a few hours (depending on traffic).

Don’t worry! I hear you say. Yeah. We’ll keep in contact! Highly unlikely. Come for a visit! Er, with the hours I’ll be working? Not likely.

Still I have my friends, the ones who helped me get through that shitty ordeal in France. The ones who say actually you did well riding that (mere) seven miles on your bike. The ones who told me to get out of where I am because it’s bringing me down.

Those friends have existed through social media. Without some of you I would not have had the strength to do this. I would not have had a place to bounce ideas around. I wouldn’t have met some great people.

I worry too much. I know that. I know some of you think me a fool! Lol, more fool you.

Some of you will read this from a Facebook link. Most likely you think you know me. Most likely you don’t. If you mattered to me I would contact you. If I mattered to you, oh yeah I don’t.

To those who read this from Twitter, thank you for your support. It has been invaluable.

I can’t wait to get out on my bike down there. Dorking Cycle Club, in their emails, has been most helpful and welcoming. Still I expect I will be riding alone for a while!

And I must not forget Ma. I know mum reads my blog on occasion (slightly embarrassing and filed under please dont say anything!!) so again I want to say how supportive and loving they have both been.

Suppose I should say I’ll be living near my brother, but to him I’m just a silly little sister…

That’s all for now…