Bloomin terrified! It’s been a while since I did something new entirely outside of my comfort zone, I think the last time was joining my running group (Backpackersclc) that took me 9 months to pluck up courage. But unfortunately, I don’t have 9 months I have 4 until Ride London. In some ways, this was far more scary, because there’s a bike involved and my confidence is already low on a bike, and because I had spent hours studying the route and I knew there were hills ☹. I was so nervous I barely slept the night before and I very very nervously peddled my way to Putney; luckily if my short time on a bike had taught me anything I had learned that Putney really wasn’t far away.
I immediately realised my bike was not what everyone else had (mine’s a hybrid, everyone else had twisty handle ones – although I had removed the basket for fear of embarrassment, phew0. Also, everyone else seemed to be wearing appropriate bike kit, but luckily that didn’t feel too intimidating. Actually, despite all the lycra, everyone was sooooo friendly, there was a beginners group and an intermediate group and even the latter group were super friendly.
The cycle café was rather nice too, and I was eagerly eyeing up the banana bread and brunch options.
We had a safety briefing which put the fear of god in me. He explained that we’d be cycling two abreast, which I thought was terrifying partly 'cause we’d get a lot of agro from cars (which we did) and cause it would it mean being sociable plus my slowness holding someone up. Eeek. …but we got out there and got to it and it wasn’t so bad. It was actually lovely cycling and chatting, and also being led (not having to think about maps). I’ll be honest I’d never thought that cycling could be a sociable activity but it was absolutely delightful. I was also thinking that the route was not as hilly as I’d expected, phew.
...But oh I was wrong. Right before the lunch break we hit the mother of all hills, everyone sped up it and I just got slower and slower. I was so determined, but I couldn’t do it and I had to stop and walk. Was I embarrassed? Yes, but everyone was so kind, cheering me on (from the top). The group leader was really supportive though, he came back to check on me and he told me I could do it, but my gears were all wrong which was why I was struggling (I’m the first to admit I know nothing about gears).
After the hill, we had a break at the amazing Giro café to recoup. Now I remember there being lots of cycle cafes in Australia but I didn’t know there were so many in the UK. And they all seem to come with epic food. I was (regrettably) sensible with just a smoothie, but I plan to return for there sourdough, banana and Nutella toast (for fuelling purposes only of course). The intermediate group joined us here from their longer route and I was disappointed (and in awe) when chatting they asked “what hill?”; luckily I realised a few minutes later that they’d come in via a different (non-hilly) route and that they weren’t adonises.
After the break (although I would have happily stayed there all day) just before we set off David (our group leader) gave us some tuition in gears, it was sooooo helpful. Lots of people have explained gears to me, but it's more useful to actually see it/do it. I felt much more confident as I set off.
Definitely helpful as the return route was hilly with one epic mother tucker into Richmond Park, I managed it ok but had to stop again just before the top. Again the group were lovely cheering me on. Also, everyone told me that my bike (a hybrid) was probably not helping and that a road bike (with the twisty handles) would be much more appropriate and make the hills less taxing.
Now as I’m going to have to cycle 100 hilly miles I will, therefore, have to get a new bike. It was always my intention to buy a cheapy bike, get used to cycling (learn about bikes) and then perhaps buy a new one with my new skills and knowledge. But this soon into the game where would I even start, luckily there was a girl there that had the exact same bike I had been considering and she said it was fab, so that was helpful.
Definitely helpful as the return route was hilly with one epic mother tucker into Richmond Park, I managed it ok but had to stop again just before the top. Again the group were lovely cheering me on. Also, everyone told me that my bike (a hybrid) was probably not helping and that a road bike (with the twisty handles) would be much more appropriate and make the hills less taxing.
Now as I’m going to have to cycle 100 hilly miles I will, therefore, have to get a new bike. It was always my intention to buy a cheapy bike, get used to cycling (learn about bikes) and then perhaps buy a new one with my new skills and knowledge. But this soon into the game where would I even start, luckily there was a girl there that had the exact same bike I had been considering and she said it was fab, so that was helpful.
We made it back to Putney and I felt elated at my efforts. I also felt exhausted so HAD to stop and refuel with banana bread before the extra miles home (omg best banana bread in northern hemisphere!). I made it home very very slowly. All in all though I did about 30 miles and much speedier than I was expecting. I’m now in new bike mode, and excited if it can help me with those inclines. Also, I can’t wait to cycle with Dirty Weekend again, they were lovely, and they are running Ride London Training rides.
