Tour de Wetherby
I know, I know, its good for us. Even if
there are days when not everything goes to plan.
I am sure the guys who ride in the Tour
de France have bad days too.
What I don’t know is if I can hold the
enthusiasm for it that Kevin can. We are going out every morning, even on
weekends, it has changed the daily routine. Made my days longer by at least an
hour, and if I am to be honest, I object to having to try and follow his
improving pace. But I have to admit I am feeling the benefit.
This morning is no different, I am roused
from my sleep by a cheery, ‘Come on lazy lumps’ and the smell of freshly brewed
coffee. I shake the sleep from my head and get myself a drink of water to clear
the night’s paste from my mouth. The work day is hours from starting as I sit
and listen to his plan for the route.
‘We’ll head off down the hill to the
roundabout then right to the car park, then head through to the Harland way.
It’s a good rise all the way to Spofforth, from there we’ll cut up to North
Deighton and belt our way home. That’s about an hour's worth I’d reckon’
I smile and give my encouragement as I
see how happy this plan makes him. At least it’s not too wet outside, the rain
that pelted the windows last night has stopped and the wind is now a breeze
which will not give too much resistance to our progress. Some mornings the
chill is keen and I am very grateful for the team colours we wear. We do look
the part and hopefully don’t qualify for the ‘all the gear but no idea’ brigade
of the weekend wobblers we have to dodge around on our longer excursions.
There is a process to the set-off which
has become a bit of a habit. I quite enjoy it as it is another aspect of our
growing relationship and you just never really know everything about a person
do you? The pattern goes, Kevin fastens his shoes and pulls on his headgear,
gives me a kiss and lovingly adjusts my outfit. He turns on his flashing lights
and mine, holds my face gently and says ‘do try to keep up with me lass’.
Grinning cheekily he gives me another kiss and we set off.
He is stronger and his legs are longer
than mine so he always gets a quicker start but I have my own advantage. I am
lighter and I think, weight for weight, I have more leg strength and greater
stamina. At least, I would never let him see if I tired before him. I can
always have a bit of rest after he goes off to work if I need to.
We turn left out of the driveway and
travel along the pavement until our legs warm up and we fall into a stride. I
love the early mornings as the countryside is waking up, birds are starting to
make their first noises and occasionally I get to see small furry animals
scurry as we approach. It is amazing how much distance I lose to Kevin if I get
too distracted so I do my best to focus on the job at hand, trying to keep up.
It happened as we were climbing West Lane
into North Deighton. Kevin checked his watch and I heard him mutter something
about time. He clicked a gear and pushed harder up the hill at the
same time looking behind to check how close I was. As it happened I was just
coming up beside him in response to his voice and he swerved a little. The big
white car was not doing anything wrong but Kevin wasn’t looking so got a shock
when he turned back to see it so close.
It wasn’t a bad fall, Kevin has had
worse, but his cleat didn’t release quickly and I heard the bone crack. I am useless in
a crisis and despite my comforting and attentions it was the driver of the car
who saved the day for us. At the clinic Kevin emerged with a large plastic boot
and a sheepish look.
That was a week ago and today we are
standing outside Harewood House and the peloton is coming up the hill. I hear
the cheers and smell the riders before I can see them. The anticipation and
excitement overcomes me. I can’t help yapping and my tail is wagging out of
control. Kevin picks me up and from my new vantage point we both cheer on the team riders as they dash by.
GJW.
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