Bring on the Festivities!

This weekend marked the start of the season's festivities, with the purchase of a Christmas tree for the Tour de Fitness homestead on Saturday and the AVP Cycling Club's Christmas dinner on Sunday.

Let the seasons festivities commence

Ahead of such festivities what, or so I thought, could be better than a good ride out with the club's Sunday morning speed merchants. I was feeling good after my triumph in the rain on Thursday and what better time to also take on that nagging chimp!

The 'AVP Sunday 8am ride' had a surprisingly good turnout. 10 riders rolled up, more than we've ever had out before on the early morning quick ride. May be the mild dry calm weather and forecasted heavy rain due to return next week provided that unprecedented additional encouragement! We took the first couple of miles out to Colyton at a steady pace and just as I was getting into the groove we came upon a skittish pony requiring us to pass quiet and wide. So what do I do, yes, I attempt to bunny jump the curb only to leave my trailing wheel in the gutter, unceremoniously launching myself to slide along the pavement with all the finesse of a duck landing on an icy pond. Unfortunately for me, there was no ice for an excuse nor to prevent the asphalt induced rash on elbow and hip. Fortunately the kit I was wearing was not as wafer thin as those the pros continue to shred on such occasions, so at least I was able to retain some dignity!

Once back on the road, we made good progress in a steady chaingang over Luppit and Smeatharpe Common. Clive loves a chaingang but I know it is not to everyone's liking, particularly when you just want to have a pedal and a chat. On a chaingang  you are continually changing position as you take turns on the front and rotate like a large chain between two cogs.

No video today, so how about a cartoon strip!

This worked surprisingly well, although with no amazing tailwind today, my heart rate remained entrenched in the anaerobic zone at best. I have more recently only stuck with this group for the first hour for fear of slowing them too much but, today, the determination to silence that chimp was to be my undoing. On the final Stockland climb, as I pulled up to join Ed for a quick food stop, my left thigh cramped up with the worst pain and immobility I have ever had the misfortune to experience. Just working out how to get off the bike took a feat of joint ingenuity. After a few minutes of stretching it miraculously cleared, albeit leaving that feeling that it could return at any time I over stressed it.

Lucky for me, I have two great cycling pals in Ed and Shaun, who returned to see how we were doing. Both stayed with me over the remaining 5-10 miles of gentle pedalling back to Seaton in the spirit of true domestiques.

Once showered it was off to the Christmas party. Sat chatting with friends, beer in hand and the anticipation of a hearty Christmas meal, the pains in arms and legs, shredded skin and aching muscles, were soon forgotten. Such is the power of friendship and laughter .. bring on the festivities!