Well, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thrown by the very strange goings on pre-ride this morning. The usual early birds, Huw, Beloved Chairman Rees, Flapjack, Pete, a rare sighting of Clover and my Sweaty self, were ruminating in Bloomfield at about a quarter to 9 when into the car park rolled Mr & Mrs Valleyman. It put me in mind, actually, of an iconic moment in Tour de France history when Pedro Delgado looked to have dropped Stephen Roche on the climb to La Plagne in 1987, so much so that when Roche appeared in the finishing straight just behind the swarthy Spaniard, Phil Liggett went ballastic on the mike ‘just who is this rider coming up behind, it looks like Stephen Roche, it is Stephen Roche’. Unfortunately, Nick B wasn’t waiting with his helmet cam to record the moment, but the Valleycrew’s dramatic arrival did prompt a mass checking of watches. The 15 minutes before we set off passed eerily slowly. In that time Ants and Gwenllian turned up and, just after 9, and winning his Valley Road timekeeper’s badge, Jonathon arrived.
I’ve got to say, it was bloody cold. I had every item of cycling clothing I possess on and was still a little chilly, especially my hands. My legs were quite warm because, before I set out I’d taken a pair of Ruth’s work tights from her underwear drawer and slipped them underneath my cycling attire. In conversation, Ants told me he had done the same thing. Our Beloved Chairman was cycling with us at this time but didn’t comment. He did moan throughout the entire ride however about something irritating one of his thighs, a sort of chaffing and rubbing he described it as. At the official toilet stop in Pembroke I saw what was causing the problem. It appears when he went to Janice’s drawer for a little extra warmth this morning he actually took the birthday underwear worn to celebrate his 48th last Friday and it was one of the many attachments that was causing him his local irritation. Whether or not this was the reason for him doing a Roger on Freshwater East, only he knows.
I don’t usually manage to get out for the whole ride on a Sunday and the fact that I did today meant I was concentrating so much on just keeping up that I missed much of the excitement with Short-course Dan crashing, various mechanicals and Flapjack’s mythical refreshments. I’m sure someone will fill me in.
I had a great day, thanks to everyone, especially Huw for the free ride between Manorbier and Penally. See you all Tuesday, remember the club social on Thursday.
