(I am in some dodgy pub with no WiFi and no network coverage so I m not sure when this will get posted and I have skipped the photo to speed download)
We are a bit worn out now. We have covered just over 800 miles and if we had taken the quickest route we would be close to Landsend but the event takes us an extra 200+ miles so we can “enjoy” features such as yesterdays horrendous climb. I am feeling low on reserves and I think that we are all suffering now from the sheer grind of cycling tough terrain for this number of continuous days. It would have been great to take a break for a day maybe during the event – but that was never in the plan.
David and I have been cycling together and we try and pull each other through the lows. We have completely run out of conversation and talk total rubbish with each other as we cycle along. We do laugh a lot at not very funny things but we get a lift from each other. The third member of the team, Rick, cycles at a different pace to us so life is even harder for him as he spends most of the ride battling along on his own. Well done Rick and keep at it mate.
My lowest point is usually late morning. I struggle to eat enough breakfast as I am just not hungry at all when we get up at 05.00am and I try to snack on the energy bars during the morning but they are beginning to taste like something small pets nibble on. So, as I was feeling a bit sorry for myself this morning, I saw something inspirational. It was a Dad and Son team on a heavy tandem. Dad was well over 60 on the back and Son was probably in his mid thirties. They came powering past us all putting is to shame on our lightweight carbon fibre bikes. We recognised the pair as Dad is representing the Paralympics charity here at the event and Dad is totally blind. How about that.
Jonathan
ReplyDeleteWell done - some not very funny cycling jokes to sustain you on the next hilly bit - well maybe...
Why can't a bicycle stand up on its own?
Because it's too tyred
# I was speeding down a narrow, twisting, mountain road. The woman was driving very slowly uphill, honking her horn and shouting at me: "PIG! PIG!!". I flipped her the finger and shouted back "BITCH! COW!!". Then I collided with the pig!
# "Where's your bicycle Vicar" I said, (because it was the first time I had seen him walking in 10 years!). "Don't know, I think it might have been stolen, but I will get it back on Sunday" he replied. "At my next sermon I will go through the ten commandments. When I get to 'thou shalt not steal' God will sort it out, I've got faith"
The following week, sure enough he was riding the bike again. So I asked him if the ten commandments thing had worked as planned: "I got as far as thou shall not commit adultery.......then I suddenly remembered where I left the bike.."
Peter