A Rainy Day.

It was a cold and stormy night! Only joking 

We agreed to meet at the kingfisher for 10 am. The road was wet but didn't look like it was going to rain. (this is feeling like a statement!)

We were all dressed top to toe in our finest high vis cycling thermals. Carey and Paul were a bit unnerved about Dave and I having road bikes whilst they were journeying on hybrids. And because of that Paul decided I should go up front and tackle the head winds with my lightweight bike. Its very strange being up front. I was always conscious of the pack being right behind me and me holding them up. So on the first hill I put the power down. At the top of the hill I turned round to see these Floresent specs about 200m back! 

At a lay-by, around 4 miles we stopped to grab our breath. For most of us this was our first descent outing for weeks. We had all cycled to the Kingfisher Pub, which was on average 4 miles away from each persons home. 

Our route kept us on the A449. A very busy road that gets narrow at points and is regularly used by trucks. It was good practise for the main event! 

Motley Crew

Once our breath was caught, we continued with me stuck up the front again. However, we agreed that if Dave and I did notch up a bit of a lead, we would wait for Carey and Paul at the top of the next hill. 

Just as we came into Kidderminster, we passed a dog walker with one of those yappy lap dogs. It barked for all it was worth as I went past. But as I later found out, it seemed to go that mad when the other 3 went passed that it pulled its owner to the floor! Dave stopped briefly to check she was ok, to which she was. 

Looking good Paul

We'd spent about an hour the previous night texting each other deciding where to meet and what time. However, we hadn't decided exactly where we were going in Kidderminster. I'd been there just before xmas and knew of a McDonald's just off the ring road, with seating outside. So that was our destination. We cruised into Kiddy after around 45 mins. We had kept to the 12 mph average which Tris and Dave had worked out that's what's required to keep on target on the End2End. We parked the bikes up outside and went in for a drink. We resisted the urge for a Big Mac! We discussed that the 12 mph average seems easy to keep to, however, doing it day after day for nearly two weeks may not be as easy as it sounds. 

Dave, is that the fabled Pinarello?

We rested up for around half an hour before setting off on the return leg. I started off at the back but soon found myself at the front again as the others couldn't remember the way out of Kiddy! Its a good job I'll be in charge of the sat nav come the event! 

We were making a good pace and had got back as far as the stew pony junction, Then when the lights turned green, out of nowhere, Carey headed to the front with some blistering pace! The three of us were left stunned! About 10 minutes later it started to rain. It was quite heavy for a time. We realised that Carey must've had some rain predicting device with him and had decided that he didn't want to get wet! 

Carey, Paul and Dave

Dave and Paul peeled off just before the Kingfisher and I went my separate way shortly after. Those last 20 minutes or so were hard. I think the combination of tiredness and cycling solo really took its toll. The returning heavy rain didn't help either! A total cycling time of 2.5 hours and nearly 33 miles covered by myself left me truly shattered! I'd seriously miscalculated thinking I would only cover 20 or so miles! Oh well got a couple of days to recover before work.

From John......

Cheers for the invite Guys!!!!

I felt so guilty after reading this that I went out into the rainy evening and did 23 miles myself. I can't believe that Dave took his most prized possession off the wall of his garage! For those who don't know, I'm talking about his Pinarello bike!

Tris