Bolsover & District Cycling Club

It dawned on me today that yesterday was the last race in the NDCXL; I had completed my first ever season of racing. I use the term loosely - sweating, struggling, hurting, grinding, trailing are probably more appropriate. However, you know what, I looked at my cycling widow - all praise to her for taking it in her stride xx - and smiled; "I've done it and not only that it looks like I've got the kind of result I was hoping for . I really feel I've achieved something." Now, I realise that getting a place in the top 100 is no great shakes in the overall scheme, but there was stil a buzz from it.

There was an article in a magzine recently that talked about cyclists making pain their friend. "Nutters" came out of my mouth. Having now sat and played back bits of the different races in my head It comes to mind that I may be in the same category. There was the somewhat slippy drop off with a tree at the bottom marking the right hand turn which caused a bit of a "rash" on the left arm and shoulder. Response - thanks for letting me know about it, better get it right next time. And I did. Then there were the numerous get off and carry this metallic lump as well as yourself up steps/mud ridden slope. Response - thanks for that, musr learn to get on and off properly. Still trying that one. As for mental pain, being lapped can hurt. Response - forget them, chase that one just in front; passing them was a good pain killer. There have numerous experiences which lead to something positive.

So is that where the buzz comes from? Well, partly, there's certainly something to be found in the still learning zone. But it's partly in simply having done it ('coz it was there), partly in meeting yet more like minded types, partly in making the most of crisp sunny days and cold grey one,s partly that slight ache in the legs that says you're alive   Will I be doing it again? Hopefully, and as part of a team... ..