Westiest Wales To Eastiest England: 2013-09-08

I have a wonderful idea, I will do some blogging on this blog. I finally realised that what this blog needs is a bit of blogage !!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

Basically, stories about stuff your blog is about.

So, what is this all about I hear you ask....... middle aged men in Lycra discovering the wonders of cycling, setting up a challenge to go for and raising a bit of dosh for some really worthwhile causes.

Not to mention giving the participants something to tell their grandchildren about ;)

I want to make this as much fun to read as possible so I will tell you how I nearly got mangled this week. This cycling malarkey can be dangerous even at the snails pace that I get up to.

First off on Sunday we entered the Etape Cymru, http://humanrace.co.uk/events/cycling/etape-cymru allegedly the UK's toughest closed road sportive cycling race. It is an 88 mile hilly ride which takes on the Horseshoe Pass, Worlds End and The Shelf outside of Ruthin. You may have heard all about it on the local news which spoke all about how the course was sabotaged by some low life scum (official term) throwing nails & tacks onto the road for us to blow our tyres up. We were lucky but we watched in despair the poor entrants who were changing tyres after just a few miles out, there were loads of punctures. Shame on you whoever you are !!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-24022776

However, the day was fantastic if you happen to be a masochist like all 2,100ish people who entered the thing. It was really well organised and the weather was perfect. Great training for what we will be doing in a weeks time.

On Tuesday I went out for what we cyclists call a recovery ride, which is just another word for an excuse to get your Lycra on and go out on your bike for a spin when you really should be resting. Did I tell you that this cycling is addictive. Well, it is. They tried to get me into rehab and I said "NAFF OFF" !!!!

So my Tuesday recovery excuse for another blast on me bike was a nice relaxed affair. No racing, no target, no time trial but I was nearly floored by a bloody great big brute.... Daisy the Shropshire Fresian Cow !!

Don't the local farmers not get the calves in a huddle when young and teach them the green cross code for gods sake !!! I was just minding my own business trying to peddle hard down Red Hall Lane near Eastwick towards Penley and all of a sudden this multi-pack burger bar came casually trotting out of the field straight in front of me. I did not see any hoof signals. I yelled "Hey kinel wossup ya stoopid cow" and thankfully it was alert and gave me a look of pure shock and stopped. It was actually quite funny.

Tonight was another chance to get out for a few miles and I took absolutely no notice of the weather forecast so went out ill prepared for the downpour !!! but the ride nearly started with a crash as I turned right into town down a one way street (Watergate Street) in Ellesmere, a car was just coming up and I had to slam on the brakes to stop from mounting the bonnet of his car. I could not believe it, and with the look on his face I don't think the driver could either. A few words were exchanged, I did not realise I was so fluent in French insults !! He actually did look in shock when he realised he was going the wrong way. The look of shock on his face reminded me of the cow.

Tomorrow is Friday the 13th. I will have a rest and head out Saturday.......