3rd - 5th June: The Pedal for Parkinson's team were together for a few days in Yorkshire for a pre- Challenge meet. All bar one of us were able to be there for a weekend of good food, good company and a bit of riding.
In complete contrast to the hot sun and near cloudless skies of the Friday, Saturday and Sunday were overcast and decidedly chilly. That suited me just fine as I find the heat debilitating nowadays. Our Saturday ride took us into the Dales where we were tested by any number of steep and sometimes long climbs that stretched up to the cattle grids and beyond into the clouds. Fortunately the hilly ride was puncuated by a tea break at the Jervaux Abbey café in the morning and then the Copper Kettle café in Reeth for lunch. This second break was especially welcome as it came after our climb over the moors where the cloud was particularly low, dense and... wet. After lunch it was a pacey ride back down the valley to Richmond and then south towards Well (Ripon). Mileage totalled 60 for the day and, apart from Hannah who was riding with us and showed she was a class apart from us old Shakers, we stayed more or less together all the time and in so doing were able to gain the re-assurance we needed that we would all cope with the demands of the next few weeks. Everything seems to be slotting into place, thankfully. Preparation for the Challenge has been all- consuming the last couple of months so I shall be glad when we finally hit the road.
In complete contrast to the hot sun and near cloudless skies of the Friday, Saturday and Sunday were overcast and decidedly chilly. That suited me just fine as I find the heat debilitating nowadays. Our Saturday ride took us into the Dales where we were tested by any number of steep and sometimes long climbs that stretched up to the cattle grids and beyond into the clouds. Fortunately the hilly ride was puncuated by a tea break at the Jervaux Abbey café in the morning and then the Copper Kettle café in Reeth for lunch. This second break was especially welcome as it came after our climb over the moors where the cloud was particularly low, dense and... wet. After lunch it was a pacey ride back down the valley to Richmond and then south towards Well (Ripon). Mileage totalled 60 for the day and, apart from Hannah who was riding with us and showed she was a class apart from us old Shakers, we stayed more or less together all the time and in so doing were able to gain the re-assurance we needed that we would all cope with the demands of the next few weeks. Everything seems to be slotting into place, thankfully. Preparation for the Challenge has been all- consuming the last couple of months so I shall be glad when we finally hit the road.
In actual fact I shall be looking to the ride to give me opportunities to rest and relax. This may sound bizarre but it is true; I simply feel more composed and "normal" on the bike.
Finally, had a pleasant exchange with the Sports Nutrition company "Bikefood"; some of us will be using the company's products that are aimed primarily at cyclists and all the team will be adopting its distinctive yellow drinking bottles on the ride.
www.mybikefood.com
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