English
Cycling on the outer edge…….
We can tell the way the weather is on Islay by the plane arriving in the morning. This is a small plane serving the island and brings in folks and the post too. It can fly in almost all weathers except when it is too too bad. This could be too windy – you know the type that blows your dog inside out or lets the chickens lay the same egg three time, or when it is too misty/foggy or plain frightful.
The 23rd of October was the first official day of my training as a member of Team Wiggle Tandem. We have both. Rain and wind. The team coach had sent through the week’s programme last night and I duly entered it into my diary. (More of that another time). Today I was to do do four hours at Zone 2 having had a warm up and warm down to finish at Zone 1. (Again I will explain the zones another time – to simplify – ones training regime is split into zones which are a measure of intensity and heart rate too also know as pain and suffering.)
Four hours at zone 2. yes, I looked outside, got into my team kit and donned the 3/4 dhb Merston tights. It was raining a lot and windy even more. I got myself together and marched out to the workshop to get my bike. I was fully teamed up with great kit including overshoes and the brilliant red dhb Wickham eVent waterproof jacket – boy I was going to need that.
The kit and support and my well being have been looked after – all it needed now was to get out and ride. And so I did. It would be churlish to say it was not hard – but then that is what it is all about. Normally I would expect to see plenty of wildlife on my circuit here on the outer edge of Europe but on a wild day everything save Team Wiggle is hiding away! This is the commitment. The commitment that a rider gives when supported in this way. i thought of Tim Krabbe and his book The Rider, when he describes riding in the low countries:
“….indeed packed boundlessly in cold grey rain cloud….my feet squishing in my shoes.”
Training and riding it is then. And up here, when the weather smiles I am accompanied by eagles and geese – I am so lucky. Today though, I get home tired, wet and happy.
Next week David and I will be spending time testing the Team Wiggle tandem – but first I have to get there ……. the journey awaits! (And, by the way if you see Sandy’s missing bike – give him a shout – he needs it for school!)
Jez
