Monsieur Remings
Guru
- Location
- Yatton UK
Well, on Monday I had the news I'd been dreading...my mother has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Not sure what to say because I'm still in shock.
Cycling up till now has been very much a part of my life since my daughter was born some four years ago now - I've rediscovered me' 'yoof, lost a few pounds, had many a fine discussion with my self, ridden thousands of miles, done a few sportives, some club rides, signed up for crazy feats like the Etape in July, and to add to that began my competitive cycling this week with my first TT of 2012 (only my 3rd ever) and my first road race today. It's also been a massive help, the odd tear in the saddle this week on some very long training rides, coupled with some meditative thoughts, perhaps a degree of reconciliation with what is about to happen. And when I needed to, just to empty my mind of all thoughts and concentrate on the steady cadence and the feeling of the drops on my gloves as the gentle whir of the wheels cuts through the lovely May evenings, up and over the Mendips, past the Chew Lake and home, I've done so.
I buried my head rather on Tuesday evening having returned from my mum's place. She should be in France this time of year enjoying her early retirement. I wasn't going to go out time trialling but I did in the end, hurriedly fitted my 60mm to my standard road bike and went for it. There was a field of some 14 riders, some Clevedon and others not. The best finishing time was around 22'40 and I came in 5th at 24'49. Room for improvement but not so bad.
I'd love to say I'd also done well today on the road race but that would be a lie...
. I should have placed myself nearer the front at the beginning of the race and you know when you do something so much it becomes second nature, like clicking in your cleats? Well, today that went wrong and they slipped! By the time I was in, the field had just started and were around 20 yards ahead of me. I caught up with some effort but with the first ascent of Stowey Hill (there were 7 more to come) I found myself behind, so so much for sticking with the pack. I tried my best to get back in, caught a few groups on the 2nd lap, realised that there had been a pretty nasty crash and lots of retirements, thought, it's time to go for it, so I did, started making up some ground but was never going to catch up. Then - and it might have been just as well - I got a puncture on the 3rd ascent up the hill. Truth is, I wasn't ready for that pace so still have lots of work to do. Next season perhaps, but this season now, I'm going to concentrate on endurance riding at my own pace. I know if I don't stick with the group from the start, then that's basically it. A steep learning curve in more ways than one so perhaps next time I'll go for a flatter profile.
I know my mum's not scared, and what's more, whatever the outcome, fifth or last, whenever I'm out on the road she'll be with me. I never thought cycling would take on the spiritual element it has, changing my lifestyle, giving me focus, awareness of what I eat more and more, drinking less, and now contemplation on two wheels.
Cycling up till now has been very much a part of my life since my daughter was born some four years ago now - I've rediscovered me' 'yoof, lost a few pounds, had many a fine discussion with my self, ridden thousands of miles, done a few sportives, some club rides, signed up for crazy feats like the Etape in July, and to add to that began my competitive cycling this week with my first TT of 2012 (only my 3rd ever) and my first road race today. It's also been a massive help, the odd tear in the saddle this week on some very long training rides, coupled with some meditative thoughts, perhaps a degree of reconciliation with what is about to happen. And when I needed to, just to empty my mind of all thoughts and concentrate on the steady cadence and the feeling of the drops on my gloves as the gentle whir of the wheels cuts through the lovely May evenings, up and over the Mendips, past the Chew Lake and home, I've done so.
I buried my head rather on Tuesday evening having returned from my mum's place. She should be in France this time of year enjoying her early retirement. I wasn't going to go out time trialling but I did in the end, hurriedly fitted my 60mm to my standard road bike and went for it. There was a field of some 14 riders, some Clevedon and others not. The best finishing time was around 22'40 and I came in 5th at 24'49. Room for improvement but not so bad.
I'd love to say I'd also done well today on the road race but that would be a lie...
. I should have placed myself nearer the front at the beginning of the race and you know when you do something so much it becomes second nature, like clicking in your cleats? Well, today that went wrong and they slipped! By the time I was in, the field had just started and were around 20 yards ahead of me. I caught up with some effort but with the first ascent of Stowey Hill (there were 7 more to come) I found myself behind, so so much for sticking with the pack. I tried my best to get back in, caught a few groups on the 2nd lap, realised that there had been a pretty nasty crash and lots of retirements, thought, it's time to go for it, so I did, started making up some ground but was never going to catch up. Then - and it might have been just as well - I got a puncture on the 3rd ascent up the hill. Truth is, I wasn't ready for that pace so still have lots of work to do. Next season perhaps, but this season now, I'm going to concentrate on endurance riding at my own pace. I know if I don't stick with the group from the start, then that's basically it. A steep learning curve in more ways than one so perhaps next time I'll go for a flatter profile.I know my mum's not scared, and what's more, whatever the outcome, fifth or last, whenever I'm out on the road she'll be with me. I never thought cycling would take on the spiritual element it has, changing my lifestyle, giving me focus, awareness of what I eat more and more, drinking less, and now contemplation on two wheels.
