I was going to tell you about the joys of cycling, after enjoying yesterday’s ride so much, but I didn’t feel much of the joy today. 85 miles we cycled, but it felt like so much more. Wind, spills, fatigue and more wind (of the meteorological variety) made for a horrible day of cycling.
Things I like about cycling:
Things I don’t like about cycling:
Things I like about cycling:
- All the funny little hand signals that mean something very useful which, as yet, I do not comprehend
- All the shout outs back and forth through the pack warning of impending doom in the shape of pot holes, oncoming vehicles, slippery drains and other assorted obstacles
- Cycling along at the back of a group and riding their slipstream
- Lycra … yup, love it!
- The way everyone cycling in a pack looks out for each other and the team spirit
- Going fast down a hill (but only when you can see where it comes out, otherwise it’s just really scary)
Things I don’t like about cycling:
- Getting grit, flies, bugs, foliage, and random debris in your eyes
- Losing all feeling in your right foot from about 5 miles onwards
- Chuffing hills
- Helmets … yes, it has been proven that they are quite useful at keeping your head in tact in the event of a collision, but if done up tight enough to stay on your head, they are inevitably too tight for comfort and create several chins
- Ridiculous tan lines … such as panda eyes and interesting leg patterns
- Weather
We spent the entire day (the ENTIRE day) cycling into the most horrendous wind. Every mile felt like 5. It was relentless. I blame French agriculture. Mile upon mile of turnip fields stretching as far as the eye can see, all flat and open for the wind to howl through. (And the fields don’t smell too nice in the damp either).
People were struggling, the going was hard. The few miles after the last drink stop, where people were questioning whether they could go on, were a relentless soggy climb. The rain set in. Not refreshing drizzle, but hard, wet torrential rain that turned the roads to rivers and soaked us to the bone. Still, those last 20 wet miles were a bit exhilarating.
Just 61 miles to go tomorrow before we reach Paris …
People were struggling, the going was hard. The few miles after the last drink stop, where people were questioning whether they could go on, were a relentless soggy climb. The rain set in. Not refreshing drizzle, but hard, wet torrential rain that turned the roads to rivers and soaked us to the bone. Still, those last 20 wet miles were a bit exhilarating.
Just 61 miles to go tomorrow before we reach Paris …
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