Bike Selfies

Sunset Song

Did a bit of evening riding this week. The nights were bright and warm so perfect to get in some miles before sunset. Trying to become a nose breather again for the summer. You always forget the joy of swallowing a mouthful of flies. Still better than the cold weather.
I even had time on the quiet evening back roads for some on the move selfies!

Etape Caledonia 2014

I recorded a new record on the Etape, with a time of 4hrs 17mins beating last years time by just under 15 minutes. I was pleased with the improvement in time but did feel very slow in the first half of the etape and sick in the last half. I am fitter this year but my weight is still holding me back in my cycling development. I did raise £420 for Marie Curie Cancer Care but lets just say the Yellow Jersey that comes with being a "Daffodil Rider" is not flattering to the pudgier cyclist.
I do feel a bit down after the event despite my improved time however, the Etape almost falls on the anniversary of my spinal surgery, now 13 years ago. On that day I was in a hell of pain and drugs having had a hole drilled in my spine, disc removed following a preceding year of agonising sciatica. I was also almost 20 stone and  required further physio for a few years. As bad as I feel at not looking or doing what I feel is my best in the etape I am a far removed person from that one that lay in the Southern General in 2001.
At that time getting to the door of my ward was an achievement so I have to remember that despite it all, along with the onset of "age", 81 miles in just over 4 hours is amazing even if that walk to the door of the ward still ranks as the hardest journey I've ever made.
Any way, my good friend Tony managed to smash his record by 2 hours so very pleased for him.
Not sure if I will do it next year but maybe the lure of beating time and age will overcome again...