Fat bottomed girls they’ll be riding today…#13
And how I got through 85 miles
Hello friends,
My Crypto Story last week seemed to provoke your thoughts. Jess commented “We always seem to want more, even if we don’t ‘need’ more! How can we learn to have more contentment with what we have and stop chasing the ‘more’?”. Why indeed.
Today’s musings reflects on personal challenges, and gives me an opportunity to indulge my love of Queen lyrics😊(what’s your favourite?).
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Last Sunday I ‘competed’ in the Etape Caledonia. An 85 mile cycle ride, starting and ending in the picturesque town of Pitlochry, Scotland.
I was apprehensive. I had never ridden that far before. I only discovered I love proper road cycling (as opposed to tootling around London on my Brompton) in the last 2 years or so. This was going to be a challenge. But a challenge wrapped in the fringe benefits of friendship, fun and a long weekend in a beautiful house with 12 friends. 11 women, 2 men (poor guys!).
The ride
We were up at 0500 for a 0630 chilly, misty start, with storms forecast for later in the day. We nervously readied ourselves in the start paddock, surrounded by 4,000 other riders, pockets stuffed with energy food. Tummies gurgling. Dressed best we could for all weathers, whilst wearing next to nothing. We were ready for the off.
The first 15 miles were bloody awful. I lost my friends, struggled with my new electric gears (no, the bike’s not electric, naughty…), and was under and over taken by cyclists looking to record a PB. To top it all, I was desperate for the loo, the first official stop being some 25 miles in. Roadside ablutions complete, my mood lifted as I passed an adorable, bekilted, young Scotsman, playing the bagpipes. I found my pace, my friends and the ride was on!
Picture the scene. Woods carpeted in bluebells and wild garlic. Frolicking lambs. Category 3 hill climbs1. The beautiful Loch Rannoch. Scary downhills and hair pin bends. Fellow cyclists of all shapes, sizes, gender and race scattered amongst the majority male riders. Earthy, woody and wild bloom smells. Burbling rivers. Portaloos and feed stations. Wonderful volunteers expertly marshalling the route and refreshment stops. And the 5 mile markers – sometimes friend, sometimes foe – counting down our epic journey.
The results
Somewhat ironically, due to my inability to follow instructions, my finishing time was designated ‘spare’, with my watch time and stats bearing a closer truth.
The learnings
Is it corny to say there are life learnings on a bike ride? Maybe. But it entertained me to watch and reflect on the behaviours, thoughts and emotions that got me through2:
1. The mental accounting – 15 miles, not quite a fifth, don’t think about it. 25 miles, is that over a quarter? 35 miles, god this is tough. Somewhere between marker 40 and 45 miles, half way, I’m on my way home. 15 miles to go, easy, I got this…
2. The questioning – why did I agree to do this? Have I not got better things to do on a Sunday?
3. The bargaining – Just another 5 miles then I can have a piece of maltloaf3, nuts and a ‘nana.
4. The mantra –my go to to calm myself when the hills got savage - ‘spin-breath-relax’. It works.
5. The senses – lactic acid laced aches, soothed by the joy and awe of being.
6. The kinship – of being with my friends, on an adventure, supporting and cheering each other on.
7. The community – the shared purpose of the cyclists gathered together from all over the country to participate in the ride.
8. The endorphins – what need alcohol or drugs when your body provides such a free cocktail of feel good highs.
9. The achievement – I did it!! And loved it. What’s next?
10. The gratitude – never, ever forgetting how grateful I am to be fit, healthy and able – financially, mentally and free – to be able to participate in such a wonderful event.
Boundaries, limitations and you
I didn’t climb Everest or run the Marathon Des Sables but I pushed my own boundaries to find I may have more to discover. I may have been in the last decile of finishers but so what. I, and we, did it.
I’m conscious that it’s easy to live life on auto pilot deferring dreams and adventures until the perfect time. Arguing for our limitations. Sleep walking through time. The thing is, the perfect time may never exist, it may never come.
But enough of me. What about you. What are your proud achievements? What are you working towards? What are you deferring waiting for perfect? What choices are you making to carve out time for your personal challenge?
Do drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you.
And remember, you are never going to be younger than you are today,
Until next week
Ruth x
Category 3 Climb apparently means – from 1.5km at 10% to 10km at 5%. Who knew?
When did my childhood Sunday tea become an energy food?
love this Ruth, as you know I am a cyclist, its type 2 fun (a challenge but rewarding) and makes me feel alive! I ride the Ford London 100 this Sunday for the second time, one you should do its fun (long but fun). Read The Mid Life Cyclist (if you haven't already), confirms that it promotes longevity, lots of positives ! Keep spinning Ruth and well done you! x
I love this post Ruth.
It reminds me. I really must get back into cycling for all of the benefits you written about so evocatively. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Chapeau!