Lift Off In Pollicott

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, (T minus 5), four, three, two, one…….Pollicott we have lift off”.

Well, not quite as dramatic as that, the bottom line is that I was going ‘Stir Crazy’ – eight days in the house because of snow, not to mention the fact that my other half convinced me we needed a ‘winter car’ to thrash about in the snow!! A car so awful that the neighbours can hear us coming from several miles away and the start up noise is like a bag full of weasels being squeezed in a vice. So I haven’t been out much.

Sian to the rescue: “Fancy a bike ride” came the text while the sleep was still in my eyes. Before I had time to think, and realise the consequences of a novice like me, taking to the roads on a bike with a seasoned competitor like Sian, I’d agreed. Oh dear!!

I allayed my concerns by convincing myself Sian would go easy on two novices like me and Vicky but my optimism was soon shattered - Vicky was already out riding and wasn’t around when the invite came. Today it was just me - and the experienced Sian. Oh dear again!!

My expectations were more than met, exceeded even, by more miles and sore bum than I care to think about.

As we cycled the lanes around the villages Sian was considerate enough to point out the local points of interest as well as throw in the occasional fact about goings on and history. If I take one memory home with me it was Wotton Underwood church, a truly lovely place to stop and take a break.

“Hey” said Sian, “there’s Tony Blairs new house”. I kind of acknowledged, wondering if old Tone had some cream in his medical cabinet that might help me over the next mile or two. She also mentioned something about cake – which got me wondering if coffee cake could be converted into something that could be used to deal with a red raw bum.

Amidst the pain and anguish we seemed to pass the same Volvo driver three times, at each passing he seemed more pleased to see us -–a true supporter I began to think. Sian on the other hand thought he might be more interested in my glowing backside in the lycra shorts. Thanks Sian, and thanks to Volvo Man – your frantic waves were appreciated.

In true NASA style, after the initial lift off, we seemed close to re-entry into Pollicott – a moment where I remember watching something about the nose cone of a returning space craft reaching 2000 degrees centigrade. That was my bum – a burning experience before splashdown.

Tonight I will sleep well. Tomorrow Volvo Man might see me hobbling along the pavements looking like a girl three times my age, I on the other hand will have the satisfaction of knowing my first crack at the ‘real thing’ wasn’t so bad after all.

So far so good. The Ridgeway Cycle Challenge is still several months away – but with Sians help, relentless enthusiasm, and encouragement, I am truly looking forward to it. Until then, sleep.

Much love and thanks………….Alex