It's that time of year when you see what you've got. It's no longer the hand you've been dealt but the hand you've dealt yourself. Have you done enough training, how well do you think your going? It's not too late to fix things but you don't know the form until you've studied it. If you don't know it's broke, you don't know it needs fixing.... I think you get the picture.
Reliability Trials are organised rides, not races. For many, the testosterone kicks in and they start racing for pride. In reality, if your not wearing a number you're not racing. Keep it in perspective. Ron's Reliable five is a series of five merry jaunts around Yorkshire. Not strictly true, it's more of a thrash than a jaunt. Five different clubs organise a ride each over successive weekends. You rock up, register try and ride round in a group and then limp home. There is another way.... do the above but a bit slower. It's all about getting round and getting a good workout. No coffee stop either!
Week 1: Seacroft Wheelchairs - 80Km (plus 20Km ride to/from)
Starts at Sherburn. Nice, I know where that is. If only I knew where exactly the start was. Set off on your own then and try hammer along until they catch you/you catch them. The Yorkshireman in me loves the fact that I saved the £1.50 registration fee and managed trim a couple off miles off the start (helps if you know the whole route and not just 90% of it). Not sure if i'm in front or behind I stop to read a text and then get caught by the first group at the bottom of the big hill. Hammer yourself in a small group for the next 20 miles. Run out of tokens for the meter with 4 miles to go. Turn around and ride back to the in-laws. 105Km in 03:30. Job done.
Week 2: Harrogate Nova - 80Km
Extra time in bed this week but maybe a bit too much. Missed the start and saved £1.50 but tagged onto the group as I bumped into them at Pannal roundabout. Some 2through and off" was done...... it was like old times. I felt like a roadie again until I got found out at Fountains Abbey. From then on, it was driving a small group to meet Mrs H at the HQ for a brew and a natter with my better half. Mrs H had done 45miles on her own on a cold windy day. Respect, these are the sort of rides that will make the White Rose Challenge just that little bit easier. Tough mentally but good to know you can do it.
Now it's Duval time as I type this in the living room. Loving the new wireless.
97Km in 03:27. Very steady ride out and back with Mrs H but what the hell, life is good.
Week 3: Airedale Olympic - 80Km........ Or not
Meet at the bottom of a bloody big hill. Oh Shit! On a very cold (-2 degrees when I left the house) icy morning. Snow has brought chaos to the UK. Change of plan then. 3:30 with the possibility of lying in the road after being brought down by someone else? No thanks, I'll go out for a ride with a friend. 4 hours please. 4 hours on fixed wheel.
4:15 later and I'm tucking into lunch. Safe in the knowledge I stayed upright....... watching the snow fall again. This weeks plan had me down for circa 13 hours. Still managed more than 10:30 despite the snow. Time for a banana bread beer and the ironing. Rock and roll!
Week 4: Otley - 100Km........ 130 actually
Ride out to Otley, arrive on time and finally put my hand in my pocket to pay. Rode this one with ABD and opted for a slightly slower pace than before. The weather was kind and after a small mechanical at the turn for ABD, we turned for home. Signed back in at Otley so finally officially completed one of these events. Then home over the tops. Back home for the Local meat and cheese Mrs H and I bought in Pately Bridge on our Valentines day out.
A chance to ride with David Stone and Alistair Brownlee (after his running put mine in context at yesterdays HPTT)
Week 5: Yorkshire Road Club- 100Km........ 130 by the time I got home
I'm bored of writing about these now
Reliable? You betcha!
