in praise of........my girl

[dellzeqq]

75 (Brompton) miles during the week, 72 miles yesterday, close on 68 today - about 215 in all. Why? She wants to enjoy LonJoG.

Of course the distances aren't vast, but when you're a woman of a certain age with a hugely responsible job, training and the gains from it don't come easy. And this is the first time in her life she's trained for anything. I'm hugely impressed, not least by her sticking with it when the people she rode today with are clearly pretty darn fit. It's not easy being the slowest all day and being gracious and happy with it, but she took every little rise in her stride and pushed on the downhills to keep up.

I'm a lucky chap in many ways.....

 

[Speedywheelsjeans]

75 (Brompton) miles during the week, 72 miles yesterday, close on 68 today - about 215 in all. Why? She wants to enjoy LonJoG.

Of course the distances aren't vast, but when you're a woman of a certain age with a hugely responsible job, training and the gains from it don't come easy. And this is the first time in her life she's trained for anything. I'm hugely impressed, not least by her sticking with it when the people she rode today with are clearly pretty darn fit. It's not easy being the slowest all day and being gracious and happy with it, but she took every little rise in her stride and pushed on the downhills to keep up.

I'm a lucky chap in many ways.....

72 miles on a brompton... sounds like my worst nightmare! Thats a hell of an achievement though, I would consider 72 miles a vast distance... even more taxing on a brompton.

 

[Aperitif]

And to think, at one time 'a go on the Brompton' meant a soupcon of shopping in Karen Millen, followed by a swift rummage in LKBennett, topped by a blow out and use of the other 'folding stuff' in Harrods. Now the nearest the Queen Consort gets is a dabble with Kensington GoreTex.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

top woman. do tell her i said so.

 

[Boris Bajic]

That is a gutsy thing to do.

My wife and daughter have both climbed that hill (or are still climbing it) and it is immensely cool that people have a go.

 

[StuAff]

Well done Susie!! More miles than me this week.

 

[Fab Foodie]

That is a gutsy thing to do.

She's a gutsy gal no doubt and a pleasure to ride with. Chapeau kiddo!
And yes dellzeqq, you're a lucky man and have my permission to feel smug.

 

[User10571]

.... Indeed! Top company she was on yesterday's ride to boot!

 

[wanda2010]

I'll have to buy (and use) a lipstick in her honour

 

[PaulRide]

Having ridden to Felpham with User10571 and their Leggships yesterday, and despite having enjoyed it tremendously, I can confirm that I had no urge to ride 70 miles when my alarm went off this morning. chapeau!

And she was indeed gracious and happy, even when faced with gravel-strewn climbs, wayward motorists and eggs, beans and chips.

 

[Aperitif]

And she was indeed gracious and happy, even when faced with gravel-strewn climbs, wayward motorists and eggs, beans and chips.

As everyone seems to be. This is the lovely thing about friendly group riding, particularly an initiation with the 'Nightriders' discipline. There are many people who have started with a little adventure in cycling and blossomed because of it - to another nighttime, a few daytimes, a new bike and a tour or two - each time 'pushing' just a little bit further and building confidence, particularly when faced with a mountain of beans and chips that have also been egged on. Well done everyone who feels able to set themselves a target and to all those who give expertise and support such efforts. (Not sure there's many who can keep pace with Susie on the lipstick stakes, although Sonia is coming up on the rails... and Davy threatened a cabaret this year.)

 

[chewy]

Nice one....good stuff!