Not really a training ride this time, but on Saturday I joined a team of staff and students from Exeter Deaf Academy on a sponsored cycle from Exeter to Exmouth and back. As we gathered in the car park, the signs weren't good - a forecast for heavy rain showers and blustery winds, much tinkering with bikes that clearly hadn't been prepared for the day's event and a member of staff who still hadn't showed up half an hour after kick off time...
However, once we set off, everything went to plan. The sun came out and stayed out and we arrived in Exmouth in good time for a picnic lunch looking out over the Estuary. After eating our sandwiches we devoured a tray of chocolate donuts and two packs of chocolate bars! Then time for a quick photo shoot before heading back.
Everyone showed great stamina and pushed through aches and pains and we were back at the Academy again in no time...and before the downpour we'd been anticipating all day. Good work everyone!
In other news, I've just scared myself silly reading about the Olympic Cycle route in the latest CTC magazine! It sounds horrendous! Starting with traffic in London, out through 'rolling hills', more tricky junctions, a very steep hill...and then on to Box Hill, which climbs for 2 miles and just when you thought you could enjoy the downhill run afterwards, the road is so steep (20% at the top and the bottom) that even the professionals crashed when they tested out the route. 'Technically challenging' is not something I had in mind...as if 90 miles in one day isn't enough...arrrggh! Can't wait....until it's over that is!
PS - sorry to any team mates who are reading this who are now also equally scared!
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