first proper cycle of the year - 16/02/2014

England's weather this year has been atrocious, there hasn't been a day without rain. So a lot of training has been done inside on turbo trainers in the garage and in the front room on an old early 90's exercise bike. Though it doesn't compare to being out on the road, its better than drowning or risking being washed away by a hortonian overland flow (geography nerd).

I was bored waiting for Andy so I downloaded a montage app and took some pictures.

 

So the date was set, I awoke early on Sunday morning, opened the curtains and saw the garden alit with beautiful sunlight. Excitedly I got out of bed and readied myself. Annoyingly to cycle with Andy I had to drive back to Bedfordshire. But once there and the Joycey's had finally stopped faffing around with their bikes and more likely gizmos which give them 0.01 second advantages over a Spanish layman on his bici cycling up hills. We all set off. It is still cold currently i think it was about 10C today, but still I figured shorts and top should be enough (which it was). But not for Mr Andy, oh no, he had enough clothing on to survive an Artic trek with Captain Scott whilst being battered by Katabatic winds. Needless to say he still bemoaned the cold weather.

You can see correctly - I am taking a photo whilst cycling at 22mph. #ItsTooEasy



The cycling went like a dream, all the training had clearly helped. Taking a few selfies and photos en route. Only moment of drama was some from some crazed horse riders. Apparently you have to shout at them, otherwise they shout at you. A strange game they like to play. We also encountered a lot of other cyclists - it was like caterpillars emerging from their chrysalis (but cyclists from their homes). We ended up completing 30 miles, which i think is a respectable distance for the first time out, averaging about 15 mph.

Summary of the ride.