When Sunday came I knew I had to go for a ride. Part of that is due to the impending Sportive at the end of August, and the other to get some head space. The ride started in it's most ordinary way, pedal strokes, waking up on the bike and slowly feeling better.
As I climbed out of the city I looked at my elapsed time, I was flying, but I seemed to be expending no more energy than usual. Inspired by my ease of speed today I decided to turn off my trusted well worn routes to explore some lanes that I had passed before. Taking the turn into Stockings Lane at first it looked promising, houses that looked old and little car activity. Unfortunately it turned out to be a dead end, but I did find my lottery house.
Riding allows me lots of time to think. As I was using a new energy drink, I began to wonder if this may have contributed to my new found form. From my thoughts you can see how easy it can be for a Pro rider to develop superstitions around certain products and equipment, so not to loose that special moment.
SBC shoes
With the exploration mode still engaged I headed east. The lanes in this part of the county are rolling in nature due to the natural lie of the land, with equal amounts of climbing and descending, this is great riding. The wind became both my friend and foe, pushing against me in a vile cross wind at times, and then caressing my like a mother tending to a sick child. Rarely do I ever engage the wind as a friend, today it gave me the speed of a group while riding solo.
These halcyon days are the memories which fuel the long hard rides in the winter months, as the cold and wet encourage you to venture no further than the comfort of your bed. I hadn't experienced one this year and thought the summer may pass me by and I may not add it to the experience bank. Thankfully I now have at least one reserved for when I may need to call upon it most, with a few weeks left to summer I am hoping I may add to my account.
a wind cheating machine
