Riding with Spokes
Grunting my way up the first of many hills Sunday morning, I was soon caught by a group of fellow cycle-tourers. Riding the 50 miles from Rhayader to Dolgellau, the Spokes Cycle Touring Club were in the midst of an eight day supported tour of Northern Wales. Leap-frogging each other up and down the hills and along the few flat stretches, they were kind enough to let me tag along as I made my way to Machynlleth.
Chatting as we rode, I soon learned that this group of experienced cyclists enjoy several long tours each year. Adding to the adventure, each day’s stage was not revealed to the others by the organiser until the morning of. I am quite sure that Martin #1[red kit, red bike, Welsh local] rather enjoyed the routine of crushing his companion’s spirit at breakfast, divulging the torturous route he had planned for the day. I say torturous because several of the day’s climbs were both steep and long. Martin did, however, reward his fellow riders with absolutely stunning views of the Welsh countryside.
On one of those occasions, I stopped part way up the hill with my breath taken away; not by the exertion–that would be about a mile up the road–but by the vista before me. While some of the products (motion, heat) and byproducts (pollutants, fire) of energy use are sensible by people, the energy itself cannot be sensed. purchase generic viagra greyandgrey.com This means that when ordering viagra online men ejaculate, the probability of extreme symptoms is expanded. Go for the therapy that can solve these issues. cialis sample Doctors prescribe drugs that could correct impotence viagra pills canada in men. Soon after, Martin #2[blue kit, blue bike, big laugh] rolled up; a strong cyclist who has toured and traveled much of the world. He commented how far too often, those of us who ride focus simply on the mileage, the time, or just getting to the end, rather than looking around to take it all in.
Funny how that observation can be applied more generally to too many of us; focusing on the career, the salary and getting to retirement, refusing to enjoy life as its beauty rolls by. Fortunately, this group of dedicated cyclists new better. They took pleasure in the ride for the ride’s sake. They laughed, they joked and they were sure to enjoy the camaraderie of a lunch well earned.
For keeping up with the group while fully loaded, there was comment that I should be made an honourary member of the Spokes Cycle Touring Club. That truly would be an honour, for I couldn’t possibly find a finer group of people with whom to be associated.
Hi Alex this is Martin # (red jersey, red bike etc etc) from Spokes. Had a great day with you and everyone was well impressed with your fitness beating us all up a 15% hill fully laden – amazing! We finished our 500mile trip Saturday and I’m now back in work wishing I wasn’t :o(. Enjoy the rest of your tour and stay safe – regards Spokes CTC (a club where socialising plays a greater part than the cycling!!!)
Hi Alex
This is martin 2 (blue kit, blue Bike, big laugh)…stunning photos and very poignant and complimentary comments made on your blog. I hope that we can collate some more good photos to add to the outstanding collection you’ve already put together (see my e-mail traffic via all the others on the trip).
When you finally get back home after your epic tour I hope you’ll put pen to paper and write up your reflections and anecdotes of your trip of a lifetime…I’m sure there’s a few of us who’d like to read them!
Meanwhile i’m pretty buzzed up about doing more mountain cycling and am spending an unhealthy amount of time pouring over maps…to sort out routes for the next epic!
Keep us updated on your progress…I wonder how many miserable bast—s you’ve encountered…believe me they’re out there, along with a load of good’uns too!
take care…talk soon
Martin (the big laugh!)
Gentlemen, thank you both for your kind comments. As for penning my memoirs, I have every intention of doing so and will be sure to pass them along. As for the miserable louts, I’ve only yet encountered one; but he was driving a car, so no wonder he was miserable. Thanks, too, for the e-mails and pictures. I’ve just added a couple more to this posting.
Hey Alex it angelica i just wanted to tell you that I passed. I will be going to grade 5. Do not be sad because I can type you from my house because I found out how to get on your blog. Type me as soon as you get this message. Where are you going now.
Congratulations, Angelica, I’m very proud of you! I hope you are enjoying your summer vacation. Right now, I’m in the town of Larne, in Northern Ireland, waiting for the ferry to take me to Troon, which is back in Scotland. From there, I’ll continue to ride north for a couple of weeks. Thank you for the message, I’m pleased you continue to check in on me.