Polly and I arrived as No 5 was on the line. I accepted Geoff Byne's invitation to sign myself in (barked between "thirty seconds" and "Fifteen seconds") at No 8. Removed toolkit and bottle. Turned back wheel around for the smaller, 66", gear at the same time as Polly pinned number 8 on my back (she later referred to at as my 'label'. That would be the one that read "loser", I supposed). My fellow Wheeler in the fight against 6 hardened anti-gravity men from CC Sudbury and Haverhill CC was redoubtable Rob Norman, who looked as if he'd made a diversion from going to collect the Sunday papers dressed, as he was, in floppy Sunday morning civvies.

No time for nerves, I addressed the line with fifteen to go, and was out of the saddle pushing down the legs and heaving on the bars (my positive visualising produced an image of Sir Chris Hoy . . the reality was more Father Christmas). The Cappuccino Ride, with perfect timing, arrived just too late to take part - but they were immensly encouraging, and quite made Rob and I feel like heroes. Heroes of the old sort, plucky losers, "it's taking part don'tcha know".

I was the penultimate on time for the two climbs; Rob was whatever follows that. Somehow or other, we managed 89 points to CC Sudbury's 144 and Haverhill's 141 - just think what would have happened with a proper turn out? Tried to persuade Polly to ride for a Lady's prize - but she remembered climb No. 2 from the Bury Bike ride, and was having none of it. We  (Polly and I) went to Coffee and Co where we met the Cappas again. Polly took the Team Support vehicle route home, and I rode - giving me a total of 50 miles. So I didn't really lose out on the miles, and got to hurt myself into the bargain

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Last Updated (Tuesday, 27 October 2009 17:36)