Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway!
What a great weekend...... I think.
I don’t think there is one muscle in my body that isn’t aching. There is a huge amount to be said for being bike fit, I am far from that! I found it excruciatingly painful, amazingly hard work, soul destroying and the most fantastic sense of achievement!
My ride report, unfortunately, has no photos until the evening, I think I was hanging on for grim death, so didn’t get chance to get the camera out. so I stole some from Timpo!
And they are off
Sarah Teach and Tinatrim
Sarah Teach
Emmsy Poo and Pumpy
Pumpy
As some of you might know, I’m stubborn, pig headed and will not give up once I have set my heart on something, as the girls found out yesterday.
Tina did a fantastic route, with bright sunshine Tina started the day with us learning how to pick up our bikes, amazing when you have a technique! Leading to a slightly rutty, stony track which was great, getting us warmed up on a cold January day.
Then a steep rocky downhill track (I can never remember the names but I’m sure when Ela and Tina post they will fill you in on these), which was pretty tricky, and my only off, not a big one just lost balance and couldn’t regain the bike, which caught me and I ended up on my hands and knees – very lady like, NOT.
Ela came to my rescue (as she and Tina did through out the day).
My first fast flowing water crossing, with the encouragement and advice of which line to take, I took a deep breath and went for it, no problem except I got water in my boot and seal skin sock!
We then ended up on the moor and into the ruts, not ones that are difficult for seasoned riders, but for me was a real toughie. Physically it was a killer, and with a body that doesn’t work properly really made me feel useless. My frustrations started to show, but Tina, Ela and Sarah willed me on to get to the end, the moral support was amazing even though I probably didn’t show it at the time. I dug deep and inched my way through. I was knackered with a capital K, and we were only one third into the ride – eek.
We then worked our way down to the village for lunch, which was cool, a good chance to catch our breath and chit chat about the things we girlies like to chat about!
Then onwards and upwards, to a “something lamb” track, which was fun, a bit boggy but lots of rock steps that needed negotiating, great fun.
The weather started to turn, clouding over and getting pretty chilly, but the lanes kept us warm.
Another rutty muddy lane, by this time Sarah was looking like a pro working her way through it, I however was still struggling, especially as the last rut track had taken everything out of my lower body, so I inched my way though, with Tina egging me on to get through leading to a 2 mile track which had recently been graded, nice shale and rock with the occasional drainage gully – great fun, I love this stuff, up on the pegs and getting up a little speed.
Weather really coming in, gales and rain, then I saw the boys, and what they were in, my heart sank, I had no energy left, and had lost the will to live, but knew I had to get through it in order to get home, so with an audience and the help of everyone I picked my way through, to the house with the boathouse, where we all took a breather.
Tina making light work of the bog
Sarah showing us how its done
Emma taking the slow route - but getting there, good job my face if blurred I had my sour puss and grumpy face on!
Ela making it look so easy
I could have died when I found out that we had to go back through the bog, my legs were like lead and my brain was telling me I couldn’t do it again. I took some time to have a chat with myself, I’d come through it once without mishap, it’s the only way home, and I had to go back.
It was easier the other way round as I now knew what to expect, after roosting Tina (sorry old girl) we made our way back home through driving rain that stung your face and fading light.
Home again! After stripping our dripping wet clothes and having a warm drink the fears and frustrations of the day seemed so stupid and childish – however a little pride started to brim inside me that I had done it all myself, not quitting and so happy that I had spent the day with some patient, kind and giving ladies.
What a day, I hated every minute of it, but felt so amazing at the end of it – I went from wanting to sell my bike and never take part in this stupid sport again to I wanted to go out again and prove I could do it better, faster and slightly more dignified the second time.
Talk about character building!
My body aches like buggery today, but I feel about 10 feet tall, and guess what, I’m not selling the bike, I’m organising a girlie quarry weekend and joining two other rides in Feb. and March.
I could not have done it without the encouragement and support of Tina, Ela and Sarah! Thanks guys!
Tina opened her home to us all and was the hostess with the mostest – nice one girly!
Finally, we went for a great, and well deserved meal!
The gang
Timpo and Gaz tucking in to their starter
The most amazing breakfast this morning, a stunning Full English prepared by Tina's fair hands.
Rob getting stuck into Ela's German home made bread
And the cute little Pip
Then perhaps we might get to see the piccies 
