When Mr Weenie announced he was off the rugby AGM there was a niggling feeling that I'd been asked to go somewhere, then I remembered. Ealing Cycling Campaign meets once a month and last night was the night.
I decided to attend. A asked me ages ago and I was hijacked in the local Waitrose car park by another member asking if I wanted to join.
It was a nice evening on all fronts. A very nice man on a Brompton bought me a beer, there was a space next to A for me to sit, and I found out about the various Bike Week projects going on in the borough. It was, a bit like the FNRttC, the kind of cycle group where everyone is welcome and, while some were in jerseys and some were in jeans, we were all cyclists together.
Afterwards, having had no word from Mr Weenie, I decided to visit some old friends who I had no doubt would be in a local pub as they always are on a Wednesday night. I arrived unannounced and had wine thrust into my hands and a hearty welcome.
I then cycled home in the balmy evening, not even having to put a jacket on. Bliss.
Showing posts with label A. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
My protege
When I started cycling A and A2 were vital to my development. Their continued encouragement and praise kept me going when I was exhausted and made me feel like I could continue to improve.
I've cycled in with A several times and A2 came with me to Bognor. I knew I was never alone and even when I got my first solo puncture I was able to ring A, who gave me phone support throughout and gave me lots of positive reinforcement when I got to work. Now I feel I am able to pass this help on.
S works with me so has heard me extolling the virtues of cycling and telling all and sundry how much I love it. I shouldn't have been surprised, therefore, when she announced her intention to get a bike. A couple of months ago she made good on this and has been pedalling around South Ealing on weekends. Despite not cycling in many years and having no idea which brake was which and how the gears worked, she persevered and this morning we cycled into work.
She lives about halfway from my house to work and I know the area well as it's where my dad was in hospital following the stroke. In fact, it felt a bit weird going that route again. But I digress.
We set off using the A4 cycle path and walked the nastier bits, like the Chiswick roundabout and the last section coming into Hammersmith. S did well and didn't wobble once. She signalled, looked behind with increasing frequency and refused to let the noise and bustle of the Chiswick High Road get her down. We negotiated a nasty set of road works and sailed into Hammersmith a good 20 minutes before work starts.
True we went slowly and cautiously, true we overtook just one bus in the whole journey but we didn't ride on the pavement, go through any red lights or break the Highway Code and I tell you what, a lot of other cyclists did.
What put the icing on the cake though was that apparently the tube is up the spout this morning. Mwahahahhahahaha!
I've cycled in with A several times and A2 came with me to Bognor. I knew I was never alone and even when I got my first solo puncture I was able to ring A, who gave me phone support throughout and gave me lots of positive reinforcement when I got to work. Now I feel I am able to pass this help on.
S works with me so has heard me extolling the virtues of cycling and telling all and sundry how much I love it. I shouldn't have been surprised, therefore, when she announced her intention to get a bike. A couple of months ago she made good on this and has been pedalling around South Ealing on weekends. Despite not cycling in many years and having no idea which brake was which and how the gears worked, she persevered and this morning we cycled into work.
She lives about halfway from my house to work and I know the area well as it's where my dad was in hospital following the stroke. In fact, it felt a bit weird going that route again. But I digress.
We set off using the A4 cycle path and walked the nastier bits, like the Chiswick roundabout and the last section coming into Hammersmith. S did well and didn't wobble once. She signalled, looked behind with increasing frequency and refused to let the noise and bustle of the Chiswick High Road get her down. We negotiated a nasty set of road works and sailed into Hammersmith a good 20 minutes before work starts.
True we went slowly and cautiously, true we overtook just one bus in the whole journey but we didn't ride on the pavement, go through any red lights or break the Highway Code and I tell you what, a lot of other cyclists did.
What put the icing on the cake though was that apparently the tube is up the spout this morning. Mwahahahhahahaha!
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Cycling in convoy
It's an interesting phenomenon that when you cycle with someone you go faster and further. I first noticed this last year when I bumped into A, who follows the same route as me. He's a serious bike-porn reading cyclist and tends to go super quickly.
He dutifully slowed down and we went in together. I said he could overtake and I wouldn't be offended but he generously mentioned it was nice to go at a sedate pace for once. We got to work and as soon as he'd gone round the corner I sat on the floor as my legs went to jelly and tried desperately not to throw up.
But....
I'd cut 10 minutes off my usual time.
On the midnight ride I attempted and conquered hills I'd never have usually gone for because I was in a group. The combination of pride and distraction while you chat means you fail to notice it hurts or that you're exhausted.
I bumped into A again this morning and in we went. It's been a while since the last time and I'm noticably quicker now. It makes the journey go much quicker and is way more fun so from now on I'm going to target strangers and, unbeknownst to them, attempt to be their pace buddy.
If you see a blonde cycle stalking you it may well be me so try not to go too quickly!
He dutifully slowed down and we went in together. I said he could overtake and I wouldn't be offended but he generously mentioned it was nice to go at a sedate pace for once. We got to work and as soon as he'd gone round the corner I sat on the floor as my legs went to jelly and tried desperately not to throw up.
But....
I'd cut 10 minutes off my usual time.
On the midnight ride I attempted and conquered hills I'd never have usually gone for because I was in a group. The combination of pride and distraction while you chat means you fail to notice it hurts or that you're exhausted.
I bumped into A again this morning and in we went. It's been a while since the last time and I'm noticably quicker now. It makes the journey go much quicker and is way more fun so from now on I'm going to target strangers and, unbeknownst to them, attempt to be their pace buddy.
If you see a blonde cycle stalking you it may well be me so try not to go too quickly!
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