Second Cup

Wednesday morning and I'm going to head out with the Sociables again and Stuart is joining up with the Inters.  Stuart must have eaten something dodgy last night, because he is feeling rough this morning, but he is persuaded to go riding.  I just hope he has a good day.

The Sociables are heading up a big hill on the way to a lighthouse via an even bigger hill.  Rumour has it that there is a nice coffee stop after the first hill by the beach.  This then is my goal!  I keep up quite happily along the flat, but when we hit the hill I am dropped immediately (as expected).  The hill is only 2 miles, so I know that the group will wait at the top.  It is suggested that my saddle is too low, and I'm not getting enough power from my riding position, but there are two other theories

Attitude - I've been told that I should get angry with the hill!  But why?  It's only a geographical feature, it has every right to be there, I cannot ever see myself getting angry with a hill.  

Physical limitations - I have a dodgy hip, after too much kick boxing, an arthroscopy on my knee to fix damaged cartiledge and a bad lower back from a desk bound job.  Potentially, one of these things has made a set of muscles not operate as they should.  I resolve to go to the physio when I get back to investigate.

In a way I hope it is something physical that can be fixed, as I don't want to be angry when I'm cycling. Anyway, will definitely fix the seat height.

I make it to the top and down the other side all in one piece, then say goodbye to the group and head off for coffee.  Happily, it is the best coffee I have had so far on the island, so I treat myself to a second cup!

After a nice leisurely break I know that I have the big hill to climb again.  This time I have chance to stop and enjoy the view.

As I am sitting chilling out, watching other cyclists labour up the hill I am reminded of a line in a poem that my brother wrote and read out at mine and Stuart's wedding.

"When you get to the top of the hill make sure you rest a while.  For what's the point of all that effort if you are just too tired to smile"

Exactly!

Here is the whole poem that he had written,  I was so touched by this gesture.

My brother then proceeded to award Stuart a medal, which he had had inscribed with "For valour in the face of adversity".  I was less touched.

After my hill climb it is a leisurely meander towards Port Pollencia.

I have another Billie no mates lunch at a pretty restaurant, with average food.

Fortunately, despite his ailments Stuart has had a good day, and he proudly tells me he has ridden 75 miles with the last 35 miles ridden at 33 km/hr.  Not bad for a poorly boy.