The
whole cycling thing was inspired by one of my old mates who had
posted on facebook that he had purchased an old racer for £30. Well
my purchase was a bit more expensive but essentially it was two
wheels and a bunch of gears.
Early
winter of 2014 i had been out for a ride on my bike. My son Simon was
a keen cyclist and accompanied me on many rides. This particular time
i was alone and flying down Brownhills high street at a terminal
velocity. Out of the local chippy stepped Mick, they guy who brought
the £30 bike. As i passed him i shouted him MICK!! Well after he
caught his bag of chips when almost jumping out of his skin he raised
an arm.
About
a week later i decided to pop him a message on facebook to say it was
me who put the fear of god into him. He was surprised and listened
when i told him it was he who inspired me. we have been close friends
and cycling companions since that day.
Simon
and me had talked about trying to get a few people together for a
ride each Sunday, which i thought was a great idea. I put a post up
on facebook asking if anyone wanted to meet at the top oak Brownhills
and go for a boxing day ride around the local villages. Well the day
came and just me and Simon ended up on the ride. We did about 15
miles that day and vowed to keep it up. Well the next Sunday Mick
turned up, then the next Mick and Chris (Simons brother in law)
turned up.
I
rode from my moms house (where we were living while waiting to move
to our new house) to Bridgenorth on new years day. It was 64 miles
and very quiet, in fact it was peaceful. i enjoyed it and have ever
since had a taste for long distance cycling.
The
crowd that now turn up are up to 20 strong, though i think 11 is our
most in one go. we have our own team kit and look fairly well
organised.
I
have completed a 100 mile ride in March, and so has my good wife
Julie who has took to the sport admirably. She climbs hills like a
mountain goat, and don't do too bad on the flat either.
Our
little group are called Shire Oak Leisure Riders, we really do take
leisurely rides....most of the time. Occasionally i think i am 18
again and like to visit the man with the hammer (cycling chat for
when you go to the hurt locker). i go find a hill and blast up it
until i feel sick and weak to the point of collapse. There's
something taking yourself to the limits that cleanses the soul.
Anyway,
i intend to cycle for a long time to come. At present i am about to
go watch the tour of Britain in Burnley. Then a couple of days riding
in that area, may be a couple of hills as well. Then in October we
will be going to Majorca for a week of cycling on hired carbon bikes.
i will report back on that presently.
