Back On The Bike

I haven't blogged at all this week, simply because I have been too bored and, well, just not bothered. There has been a few things going around in my head to write about, but I'll get to them eventually.

I hate it...not riding, its like I've hit a brick wall and there is no center to my universe, there is no ying to my yang...

Insurance has taken a little longer to get through, but got a phone call from them today so hopefully not too much longer.

My two daughters had the opportunity to have their first road race on Saturday in the Juniors, but it was painful watching the adults take off from the starting line.

I had a friend come to my rescue by lending me a pair of shoes and helmet, wow, what a relief. Ok, the shoes are one size too big and the helmet one size too small, but they do, and for someone like me who has been chomping at the bit for a week and a half, they have been a God send.

Yesterday saw my first ride since my tumble, a nice steady 67 km ride out along the coast line and then back home via a slightly longer route. Ahh, the breeze in my, well hair so to speak, and a sense of freedom that I had been yearning for for the past week. It was good to be among friends once again, pedaling and chatting, and then of course the coffee.

Coffee is a given and goes hand in hand with cycling. I don't know why, it just is. As a truck driver I lived on the stuff, maybe too much, is there such a thing? But around the table at the cafe, we can relax, catch up on some goss, reminisce over the highlights of the morning as well as past rides. The ride always gets a run down, a bit like a debriefing.

I think that it the thing about cycling, the social side of it. Yes I want  to get racing but I think I will always have to find the time to just chill out in the saddle with friends. I've had a turn at quite a few sports and pastimes and I have to say that there is none so social as cycling. Yes, of course you will always get your dicks, but that is life. They're not dicks because of their cycling, they are just dicks.

But the camaraderie is great, we have from time to time been joined by someone we didn't know out along the road somewhere. I've even had the pleasure of coming across some and being that one who joined the group. Its just par for the course...

Getting back to my little girls' first race. It was great to see them. There were only three juniors there for the days run, but hopefully that will change the week after Easter. Lena has been riding for a while. She has done track for a couple for seasons now. She used to join us for the Saturday shop rides and Sunday Club rides until the day she came off breaking her arm. This put her off, for a while sadly.

This is Lilly's first year, first year at track and, well its only been a couple of rides on the  roadie.

But it was a sheer delight watching little Lilly line up as first off. I had to laugh, one of the parents that were following in a car told me that 6 kms in all she  could see was this huge smile.

It was a hot day and I was a little apprehensive at how she would go. It was only a 7 k course for starters but, her being out on her own, with no dad or big sister beside her. She had a car in front of her, so that was a good thing, and they kept a close eye on her.

Lena was off next after 4 minutes. She had never ridden on her  own as well. Track is different, you go round the velodrome with mum and dad there watching you. The other boy that was there started off 4 minutes after Lena.

Lena came in first with Lilly second. I was so proud of them. Not because of the finishing line up, but that they finished it...and loved it. I saw Lilly coming down the straight toward the finish line, she realised where she was, the legs started to spin faster and  the smile got bigger. Lena finishing about 500 meters in front of her was happy as well, but a little knackered after the heat, and lack of riding fitness.

Today we headed out early this morning for a light ride. I want to get them used to riding on the road, and will gradually increase distances as we progress. Usually you have to drag them out of bed, but they were awake and up as I walked into their respective rooms.

We just headed out for an hour, but it was good and they were both adapting to riding on the road really well. They listened, paid attention, and did I say they listened...lol.

After dropping them back home I escorted them to the front door quickly so I could get going myself. Catching up with a couple of friends down at the local Crit track we did a few laps, and then headed for coffee huhhummm...I did say it come hand in hand. After that I took off in a different direct to head out some of the old roads I often visit.

Coming home it was a nifty southerly headwind, I called in to see my mate at the bike shop and eventually made it home. Yes, all the stops upset my averages but I didn't care as I was back on the bike.