Training Starts Again 27th November

Okay so I am signed up to another charity bike ride to Hamm in Germany and back again.

Sunday 27th November was the first actual training ride and a special occasion as both the Leisure group and the Sports Group were meeting up at Guiseley station. We had had a social get together a few days before when we went to an Indian restaurant but when everyone turns up in Lycra, waterproofs, helmets and glasses you can't recognise who they all are.

When the excuses had come in (Deano you know who you are) for those who couldn't make it. We all mounted our steeds and the Sports group disappeared into the mist (proverbially).

I set off at the front of the pack but as soon as an incline appeared the pack slowly overtook me until Richard and I were at the back. Richard is the support rider so at the back by choice.

I've got to say that the weather was not the best. It was blowing a hoolie and was hard going so I was at a disadvantage as I am a big lass so there is more to blow about!

Up the first steepish hill Sean had bike trouble so I was no longer at the back. We had a rest at the top and waited until they caught up. Then we all trucked off again towards Bolton Abbey and the Cavendish Pavilion. A nice hot cuppa and a scone or a cake and then we set off for the return journey.

All was going well when we started the steepish climb up a hill that always creases me. Sean again had a problem with his bike and I wasn't therefore last to the top of the hill.

We waited around for a while but then Mike told us to go on as we were getting cold. We set off again without Mike and Richard and eventually bumped into some of the Sports group who had returned without the rest of the group. Someone had bike trouble hence they were stopped. Again I took the decision to carry on but I noticed there weren't many people following me. When I got to the bridge over the river I waited and most them caught up with me there. We then pedalled off in the direction of Burley in Wharfdale where we started the long climb up to Menston. Ok I was at the back again but I didn't need to stop so that was a bonus.

Back to Guiseley and everyone seemed in good spirits.