Good morning. Pleasantly cool at the moment. Our high is forecast for 22, a lot more comfortable. Today is chores, that's it chores of varying descriptions. A recently widowed friend is coming for tea, I don't know how that's going to go and obviously this is not included in the days chores.
We rode 70 miles of gravel yesterday. It was a very tiring but wise choice as 70 miles on tarmac, fully exposed to the sun, would have been awful. As it was all five of us were extremely tired after riding a route we know quite well and wouldn't normally find tiring. We got lost in central Manchester, that proved entertaining................never trust a buddy with an old Garmin that has previous convictions for getting lost!!!
"What's a girl doing on that?" Six little words which carry so much meaning and insight. Longish story short, you know me(!), on yesterday's ride were four men aged 44, 55, 68, 71, and a women aged 61. We approached a family, parents and three young girls, perhaps 5-9 years who stood to one side on the narrow trail. We slowed, one girl put up her hand for high fives, we all obliged and said hello. The little girl was heard to ask her mum, "What's a girl doing on that?"
Once we passed lots of chat about this. We decided two things, her words spoke volumes about the general image of cyclists, especially those in lycra on serious looking bikes. Secondly we hope our buddy has inspired that little girl to know in the future she can do anything she wants, including being a very good cyclist. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.....................
Our female buddy approached me five years ago and asked "Will you tell me what I'm doing wrong? Help me ride better?" I did and we put in a lot of miles on technique, positioning etc. After a few weeks I remember telling her "one day you'll kick my arse." I get my arsed kicked on a regular basis........I'm delighted to say.
The ironing calls. I'll pop in for elevenses.
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