September Training Weekend

Wow! What a weekend!

Yes, it was the official Action for Charity training weekend in the Cotswolds and we managed, I think, 38 miles on Saturday and 35 or so on Sunday.

So how was it, you ask?

Quite intimidating, daunting, scary, exciting, exhilarating, scary, fun, social, exhausting, motivating and did I mention scary?

It was fantastic to see the Peak Posse again, of course – and meet plenty of new people, too. There were all sorts, I have to admit and, let’s face it, some I’d be quite happy not to meet again, but 99% were just fab and, of course, we’re all there for the right reasons (we hope!). (Aside: Peak Posse people? The ‘happy-not-to-meet-again’ is NOT referring to anyone close to us! – Sarah, I think you probably know who I’m referring to!)

Anyway – that’s pretty normal, is it not? After all, 50 women all together is never going to be a complete breeze, is it? – Or maybe it’s just me?

Well - a lot of people were very nervous on Saturday morning and rightly so. Seeing all those bikes and get-ups and new faces and doubts and hesitations … possibly the biggest worry was riding in a big group – a first for most of us. That was daunting. Setting off in a group, crammed in by loads of others, was no fun, but we quickly learned that it didn’t take long for the group to spread out and everybody quickly found a place and could get on with the business of cycling.

The organisers were fantastic and the routes were great, although I do have one small quibble about a particular hill which I don’t think needs any introduction. It was fab – you knew you were in trouble as our front market, Trish, stood at the corner shouting ‘Change to a low gear and DON’T LOOK UP!’ The chorus of ‘OH MY GOD’ was hilarious, accompanied by a percussion of clickety-clicking gears being rapidly changed to the lowest possible. It did occur to me at that point that if God had wanted me to cycle he would’ve given me wheels instead of feet, but it was simply too late to worry about it. Enough said about that hill!!!! Except that I’d be quite happy to never see it again unless I’m supported by a minimum of four wheels and an engine.

The day was tough but I certainly learned a lot. I learned not to panic about the group start-up. I learned to change down while going up hills. I learned to try and keep the same rhythm in the lower gears. Most of all, though, I learned that feeling absolutely wiped out, demotivated and that feeling of ‘I’m-never-going-to-do-this’ over the first five miles is going to be quite normal for me. It’s not a measure of my fitness, but rather my warm-up time – and it’s going to happen every morning and after every ‘long’ stop. I’m so glad I discovered that now – and not in India.

I also learned that these ladies I’m cycling with are truly amazing. They really are like Beams on Wheels and all deserve badges. Motivating, inspirational, courageous, every one! I feel like I have an awful lot to live up to!

Saturday night was super. Ann had booked a fab Indian restaurant. I suppose the only down point was that nobody else was drinking red wine so I had just had to finish the bottle all by myself! Such a shame, eh? But the great food and fun company made up for it!

Sunday morning – I was dreading the second day. It’s the first time I’ve cycled any sort of distance two days in a row so it was a big benchmark for me but I was very pleasantly surprised. Perhaps it was because I’d expected the worst, but it all felt so much easier – or maybe everybody was just so much more relaxed. Whatever it was, the whole group seemed to be buzzing with energy and it felt like we flew along. I enjoyed Sunday so much.

Big, big thanks, of course, to Gay, Jamie (what a gentleman!!! Can you believe he actually ‘carried’ my jacket for me practically the whole day? If my kids turn out half as chivalrous I’ll be very happy) and, of course, Trish.

It was fab! Roll on India (just as soon as I’ve done a weeeeeeeeeeee bit more training hehe)