Surprise

I didn't think there was going to be much activity in March. Lots to do at work and some intensive trips planned, but how wrong could I be ?

It started with a great weekend away with my old buddies from the Royal Marines, but this allowed Molly and I to slot in a sneaky diversion to the Forest of Dean where we enjoyed some fabulous weather for a tour of the Verderer's trail. 

I spend a few days in Tenbury working, after which I get the chance to ride on the Malvern Hills for the first time. A 'no-warm-up-straight up' start is the only option from the Quarry car park, but the panting and grunting is worth it one you get started. The hard work isn't over when you get up there though, as there are plenty of ups and downs along the way. 

I am then up near Birmingham and, as usual, end up on Cannock Chase. I am feeling strong(er) and set my mind on three laps of the 'Dog' on the Whippet. I have a short pause on lap two to help a stranded fellow cyclist who has forgotten his spares and then another short pause on lap three as I go over the bars. I get back to the digs and decide to change before washing the bike and discover the damage. Oops. 'Don't you think it's time you started acting your age' someone said. Oh, and it wasn't the nurse as she inserted the five stitches.  

A couple of us from the Cycle Club travel to London for the FNRttC and have blast riding through the night to Brighton at the start of the month. So much so that we decide to organize another one. Despite best efforts to get a few more members along, just four of us set off from London Bridge station at midnight. We have another great ride down to Brighton, via LGW for coffee, and then ride home. Just shy of 100 miles and we were all tucked up in bed by 09:00. Knackered though!

Back home and a couple of days later, I get back onto my local loop for the first time in a while. It's also daylight for a change and it's warm and sunny - perhaps that's why a PB comes out of the bag - almost seven minutes quicker than any ride over the previous three months. 

In the background, I have a conference booked later in the month and, as part of the agenda, we are invited to trial a new version of some on-line fitness software. So after much hassle trying install the App onto my slightly old Samsung, I am up and running and logging miles on-line too. We are split into teams, I am in Yellow and we are winning (so far). I'm not sure it will catch on. What will they think of next; on line software where you can race your virtual friends ? 

Round the local loop again the next day. Another four minutes better ! PB down to 44 minutes.

I fall down to earth with the Club ride the next day. Simon and I ride to the start, do the club ride and then ride home. I just about hang onto his wheel on the way back. Legs lay by the pavement in tatters afterwards.

A trip to the Midlands follows and a fast (for me) lap of Rutland is slotted in. All good miles in preparation for the events later in the summer. We are then back on the road bikes for Club rides and training. 

Back from the conference and the Yellow team did win by a country mile - assisted (I hope) by a sneaky flat out, double-lap of Rutland water on the single speed that I managed to slot in whilst passing. 54 miles in 3:40 so quite pleased with that. 

Molly and I manage to get out together and fit in a combination of a good few miles with each other and then I ride home to get some extra in. A great couple of rides over the weekend follows and firstly we entertain some visitors from Horwich, our twin town up t'North.

A lovely day out taking in every small and spiteful hill between home and Bexhill, followed by coffee and cake. Just shy of 40 miles before the lunch stop and then I popped off to fetch the car. The ride was easy compared to the entertaining later on and we enjoyed a lie-in the next day !