A Big Ride for little lives

On the ride we took around 1000 pictures.  I have now started the task of whittling them down to a managable number before sorting the levels and doing a bit of cropping here and there.

I have just finished the route guide pics for day 1 (about 20) and should get the rest completed before the end of the week. 

There will be many more in the gallery we will eventually produce but they will be in the raw form.

Walking through the crowded aisles of a supermarket today on autopilot reflecting back on the four days of our Big Ride from the skill and vigour with which we attacked the trails on the first day, to the synchronised multiple clicks of gear shifters downshifting every time the route threw yet another steep gradient in our faces as we battled against tired legs and battered bodies on the last day.

As I passed slowly through the queues at the tills feeling drained with aching legs and passing the cafe thinking I have not eaten or had anything to drink for at least 45 minutes maybe it’s time to stop and have a refuel. The thought struck me that the aches and pains are only transient and I will be left with the memories of some of the wonderful trails I have ridden and the fantastic vistas I have seen over the past few days, how lucky I have been to be able to have the chance plus good health to experience it all and that I’m not the first or the last to think this.

The Hero’s

Col – for organising it all and putting so much trail recce effort in to making it such a memorable route

Sabine and Elisabeth for letting Col out for a few days and being cheerful and happy faces when we needed them

Gaz – great company for me at the back

Connor – churning out the miles with seemingly no effort and engaging us in conversation to take our minds off the road ahead

David – a big grin and a camera would be the first sign of arriving at our next oasis where we would have chance to rest and refuel.

Chris – thank you for keeping so many tired and ravenous cyclists going through such a tough test

Phil, Geoff, Huw, Mark and Maca on the last two days keeping us going.

The final hero my Cotic Hemlock currently patiently sitting unwashed in the garage ready for its next test.

Russ

Ps.. when’s the next one?

…not on the bike.  The Roscoe II could go out again today after a bit of lube on the chain.  Ok, yes the big ring is bent again but it would only take a few mintues to correct that (with the lines and speed this bike allows it should really be fitted with a double and bash ring.  At the moment the big ring is exposed to some serious abuse).

It’s a different story for me.  I ache all over and, while my legs would be good for more miles, I don’t want to be sitting on a saddle again for at least a week.  Worse than that are my sinuses.  They started blocking up at the end of day two, which gave me an annoying cough that kept me up most of that night.  Two more big days of riding only made things worse.  I have just returned from the doctors with a course of antibiotics for my infected sinuses.

Now I’ve got to see if my snot soaked gloves survive the washing machine.  At least I remembered to take them off before shaking anyones hand at the end of the ride yesterday.

Col