I didn't mean to be so late its just that I got riding

Saturday

Duration 03:12:16
Calories 1825 kcal
Distance 76.7 km

Average HR 122 bpm
Maximum HR 169 bpm

Saturday morning I told Beth I was going out for a short ride, 90 minutes, 2 hours maximum. The figures above tell the lie to what actually happened. Glorious sunshine, a small peloton (Mad Mackem, Peaches, Brummie Dave and Ed) and the fact that we got lost somewhere near Helidon Lakes meant I was much longer than planned. This also worked against Ed who joined us on an empty stomach straight from his paper round and struggled to get back. Peaches peeled off to his in laws at 60km, Ed and I soon peeled off home once we'd got our bearings, leaving Mad Mackem and Dave to toil alone.
We headed straight along the main road into Southam and then picked up the Welsh Road to Leamington, Cubbington and home. I love the Welsh Road. I love the way it meanders with the contours of the land. I love its gentle rise and fall. And I love its history. I imagine Welsh drovers taking their livestock to market in London, walking for days along this ancient route. It crosses the Fosse, a more ancient road (or is it?) and my mind wanders at this junction to the millions of feet and wheels which must have passed this way over thousands of years. A Roman road crossed by an ancient drovers trail. What scenes must have been seen here?

Sunday, Peaches, Half Mile and myself did a quick 25km spin before settling down to an afternoon of beer and barbecue with friends and families in attendance. Much fun was had by all.

On the way back down Rouncil lane we spied a group of three riders ahead. Paul and I, being of a similarly childish mindset couldn't resist the catch. We sped past the group with a casual greeting as if our speed signified no more than a superior fitness and ability (the fact that two of the riders were 20 years or more older than us and they had, as a group, clearly completed a long and arduous ride took none of the shine from our achievement). Sadly our arrogance clearly piqued the younger of the riders, who, as we slowed further up the road steamed past us, with a shove in the back for Peaches. I gave chase and caught him but couldn't stay with him (full carbon Cervelo was my excuse). I let him go, but saw that he had himself slowed upon catching a friend up ahead. So despite the climb I gave chase again and caught and passed a clearly startled rider before peeling off on another route home. Oh what fun.

Sadly, whilst I was playing Tour Professionals, Half Mile had narrowly averted catastrophe. A tooth came off his rear cassette causing the pressure to do the same to his crank and forcing the chain off its run to wrap itself around the pedal. One more stroke and he'd have pinged over the bars. So, a new drivetrain, (shiny Italian Campagnolo) but thankful for small mercies.

Anyway, at least I was back on time!
Duration 00:57:09
Calories 641 kcal
Distance 25.2 km

Average HR 134 bpm
Maximum HR 168 bpm

Monday saw Beth and I at spin. Her first real exercise for 12 months. Good for her. She's keen to come out and join the gruppetto. I'm sure she won't be as immature.