It was the sort of rain, accompanied by a stiff gusty wind, that usually has one running for cover in The Caribbean. However, unlikely as it may seem, weeks of clement weather in our region of the UK was interrupted by such a downpour. As the rain lashed our conservatory roof, overpowering the guttering in need of a good clear out, I looked pensively out of the window concerned only for my daily bike ride, which, with the rain, was going down the drain. However we patted ourselves heartily having not seconds before, completed the task of putting away all the garden furniture including the gazebo.
I need not have worried. Caribbean style, the sun was soon out and the foliage began to steam and dry out. Time to get on the road. Another unfortunate turn of phrase. For the reader who has no access to my favoured, rather than favourite, social media site, I have in truth become obsessed ever so slightly with my new speedy bike. I purchased it in May and ever since 'we' have been at war with the clock.
As I ride, GPS tracks me and a smartphone app delivers updates, every kilometre, on my progress. Always against the clock. It's my own fault. I simply can't go out for what I call 'a pointless pedal', and since the arrival of my Boardman Sport, effort on the pedal is rewarded with a return of significant, for me, (not Chris Froome or Bradley Whiggo), speed. It's really quite exhilarating. I have to get out. Sometimes a double reward presents itself, with not only success against tick tock, but also a couple of quick pints at The Albion public house, which is about 10k from home, a third or so of one of my many countryside 'circuits'. I usually aim for a calorie burn of between 900 and 1000 per session, regardless of pintage!
Of course this has pedalled alongside my other obsession from a year ago, that of losing weight. I had to. I was getting problems with my right knee which physiotherapy had part cured over time but which a weight loss of 15kg had even more significantly alleviated to the point of no pain at all. So Mr. Obsession had more than one reason to get out once the rain had abated. Which is exactly how I work when it comes to exercise. Reasons to be active. And getting into trousers and shirts long since abandoned at the back of the wardrobe and a 'new' knee is reason enough. Not to mention a couple of quick pints at Bedfordshire's Pub Of The Year 2013!
As I set off, at the back of my mind was of course the next day's trip to Washington. Previously I have eschewed any 'dangerous' activity the day before a holiday on the grounds of injury which maywell curtail the looked forward to trip to wherever. Usually skiing. Not today. Now as I said before, I'm new to this road biking. These lightweight steeds go like shit of the proverbial shovel with the minimum of encouragement but at speed you do need to be careful. Trouble is, at speed it's pretty exciting, especially in the country side, Up Against The Clock, on relatively deserted roads.
Good job, for as I approached a familiar 90 degree bend I was about to make a rookie error! and one which could of had more serious consequences but thankfully did not. Road bikes have thin tyres. Lack of contact with the road produces speed. They also are, like formula one car tyres, slick. The recent rain on the roads was drying, but combined with the recent warm weather a layer of slippery stuff was awaiting the foolhardy. That was me.
There was no saving myself. As I hit the turn, all traction with the Tarmac was lost. Now I'm pretty used to tumbling. My early skiing days were pretty much all tumble, and since I mastered the art to my satisfaction, tumbles still occur but with less frequency but with more speed. Like this one. But the give from Macadam's invention is much less than from God's White Gold. I was soon rolling around in the middle of the road, not bouncing at all. And there was immediate pain. A lot of it. As I staggered to my feet, thankful for no oncoming traffic or more importantly You've Been Framed witnesses, I felt the burn. The burn you felt when falling in the schoolyard. But there were a number of burns. Knees, elbows and thigh.
I always carry water. So first job was to provide some relief by applying some. WARNING, try not to apply sparkling water to open flesh wounds. But that's all I had. Anyway, the Tour guys crash much worse and get back on their machines And pedal on. So I did, completing the 32km circuit in a truly pathetic time during which The Clock laughed at me all the way round. And no time for a quick pint!
