Cycling comradeship, doubting Nana and a ham sandwich

So today was the first day I've been out on a proper bike ride and I loved it! Setting off about half 7 this morning was a chore, I cycled around my village before heading back home to fashion some Fagin style gloves as the wind was ruining my hands. Setting back off I rode past a fellow cyclist going in the opposite direction...a wink and a cheery 'Good Moooaning' and we were both on our way. He was sporting a similar jacket to mine, both red X-Cellerate wind proof jackets, his had clearly aged though due to experience and as I cycled perkily into the distance I could tell he was looking at me with envy thinking 'Its not enough she's got a totally sick set of wheels but the jacket to go with it, jeez when am I going to catch a break?'

I managed to cover 11 miles this morning. Not quite the 30+ miles the others have managed but for my first time out on the road I was chuffed to mint balls. I managed to tackle the three big hills - Kenty's, Toll Bar and of course the one near Adwick train station. Coming from Toll Bar, I was cycling up the hill like a trooper whilst having flash backs to my driving lessons and almost burning my instructor's clutch out in an attempt to get up Carr Hill in Balby. As I was pushing it up I just kept thinking 'Stay Green, Stay Green, for the love of all things purple stay green'. No such luck and I had to do a hill start with an immediate left turn... In true Alfie's Team fashion though I trooped on through...

By the time I got to Jossey hill I was flying, but also needed the toilet so thought I know...I'll make my annual trip to see Nan. Called off in Scawthorpe to be greeted my Nan who was chowing down on her Muesli. I half expected a superstar welcome, A. For being up and at it so early. B. For cycling like a trojan and C. Because I've always considered myself the favourite grandchild. Reality hit in when as soon as I sat down Nan starting chirping up about how many miles Rich had been putting in, and oh Rich is doing well, followed by a 'Do you think you'll manage it? Its a long way you' to which I replied 'Nana, please. Anything Rich can do I can do harder, faster, better and with a great deal more style'. I cracked on and left her to it and made it home in time for the last bit of Jez Kyle, which I watched over a ham sandwich Morrisons of course. Booyar!

Cracking little ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Couple of things I noticed though were firstly gloves, its deceptively cold when you're riding so I need to get myself a pair of biking gloves and some uber padded Lycra trousers. The gel seat cover does the job but I definitely need some extra padding....think Lada Gaga's shoulders circa December 2009 and you're about close....