Legging it down to the Loire

Note to self, for all future holidays  - never leave any of the planning up to Stuart!

Despite preparing a comprehensive wallet of travel papers, it turns out that most of the papers are a random selection of ad hoc emails without any actual useful information, such as directions to the booked accomodation!  Despite this handicap we succesfully navigate our way to our first overnight stop at Rouen (and manage to catch an amazing light show at the Cathedral)..

..and then onwards to the Loire valley.

When we arrive at the Chateau we are early, and nobody is home, so there is only one thing to do, and that is unpack the bikes and have a quick look round the area.

We are only doing a very short ride, but I discover that a croissant and a couple of coffees is not the right sort of fuel for any kind of bike ride.  1km short of our destination village, I announce that I am about to bonk.  And I do seriously bonk.  We have absolutely no food with us, not even an energy gel or power bar.  I limp into the village prepared to eat absolutely anything and what is the first thing that we see?  A Boulangerie/Patissier/Chocolatier.  I'm saved!  We rush into the shop and choose some amazing delicacies, which the assistant proceeds to box, wrap and beribbon with great care.  We're not in "Love Actually" I want to shout, but instead say Merci and head on out the shop.

The pastry chef may have been somewhat disappointed at the speed at which his artisanal creations were wolfed down, but I'm sure he would also have been heartened at how much they were appreciated.

You expected a picture of the cake?  How likely was that going to be?!

Roaring Reds

This summer I have been very lucky to meet up with a lovely group of ladies via the Sky Breeze rides.  The rides are led by Tracey who is an excellent leader and makes the rides lots of fun!

On a Thursday evening, we cycle a beautiful 15 mile route, with some interesting climbs and useful sprint stages.

I'm still once again the slowest in the group, but this time I feel that they really mean it, when they say it is OK that I am always last, plus there is a training element to these rides, so I really do feel that I am going to improve my cycling.

We also finish the ride at a local hostellerie, where we are greeted with a cheery "evening ladies, how was your ride?", it's very nice to feel so welcomed as a cyclist.

And here I have shamelessly stolen some photos from Facebook, so I can share some pictures of the great group of ladies that I have been fortunate to ride with this summer!

50 miles further than I expected to be riding

There have been times over the last couple of months that I have felt like hanging my cleats up.  Cycling distances does not seem to be an issue, but speed definitely is.  Despite cycling 1,500 miles so far this year (not bad for someone who works full time, and some) and doing spin classes twice a week in the winter, my speed does not increase.

There are now a couple of new things going on which may help.  Physio, for a fairly dodgy hip and the Roaring Reds (more of this in the next post).

So, Sunday morning it is with some trepidation that I decide to go back to a VCC club ride.  The glorious, full sun 25 degree weather forecast may have been a factor.

Not, only is it sunny, but we have a tailwind most of the way out.  The countryside is beautiful with the hay baling in full swing, and I keep up on the flats without any problems.

Speaking of flats, Catherine, whose first ride it is this weekend has a puncture.

I must remember to thank her for the bonus rest stop, which certainly helped!

We are about the third group to arrive at High Cross, so plenty of cake still available!

This is probably the best VCC coffee stop, as they can cater for for all the groups at once, probably 100 of us this week.

It is lovely and sunny and we all enjoy a nice lazy chat.

The return ride is a little tougher.  I'm a bit slower and the rest of the group isn't.

I struggle to keep up on the flats, but I do keep up.  On the hills, I am definitely dropped.

Fortunately, Bill, our group leader, is enjoying the sunshine and has two bonus rest stops on the way back, just because it is a lovely day!

Returning home, it is clear by about Wheathampstead that the group is beyond reach.  I am completely dropped, the enjoyment of the day is now just a little bit less.

However, as we approach Nomansland I am absolutely delighted to see two of the Breeze Roaring Reds ladies have waited for us to catch up.    This honestly makes my day!  

London, but not how it was supposed to be..

As mentioned a couple of blog posts ago I have deferred my London Ride 100 place to next year.  I think it is the right decision, but I am still disappointed.

However, as the roads are closed in central London on the Saturday, we decide to take advantage of this and see the sights by bike.  As do 70,000 other people!  I have some lovely video footage, but I have no idea when I will get chance to edit this, so in the meantime here are a few photos!