50 Miles too far!

The last time I had been back to Norwich Lesley had popped by. Carl had said 'let's do the Century Bike Ride together'. Because I am an idiot, I had assumed that this meant that I would do the ride, and he would also do the ride. I was wrong. It actually meant 'I will put this crazy idea in your head, which, because of your condition, you will have to then do, or you will feel like a failure. I however, will never think of it again, and will certainly not bother to go anywhere near a bike'.

So. Enter Bex. Who saved my life by lending me the best bike I will ever dream of riding. It weighs 2 grammes and is (our technical term..) whizzy. I don't even want to imagine what it cost. So, I had a fab bike, but only a month to train. Off to Decathlon to spend money I didn't have on a Turbo Trainer. Several sessions in front of the TV, and only one actual real training ride out on the roads (33 miles) later it was time for the real thing.

Hurrah for Bumble. So easy to chuck (well, carefully place and secure) the bike and kit in the back. Pops drove me down to the city and dumped me in a layby feeling sick! Got started off by some Mayor lady and some bloke in a yellow suit who told us that not getting sponsorship was a sin! 19 minutes later I was cycling back up Reepham Road... so popped into Ma's for a pee!! I then toddled off on the remaining 90-odd miles, leaving them with a camera, waving for the next hour.

The first 50 miles were quite enjoyable. Got a bit bleak in the wind out on the marshes, but was going way faster than I expected, so had to text Pops to say I was nearly there about 2 hours before I said I would be. Unlike those people I passed on a shopper!!! or on a squeaking mountain bike, or with pedals going ten times faster than the wheels. Unfortunately my hopes of an ice cream on the sea front at Sheringham were dashed, when we were directed into Sheringham High School for the lunch stop. Had a much better treat though when the family turned up...

Jay Jay a bit confused by sunglasses... and "oh. I still have little white sticks for legs" :-(

Posing..

Still smiling as I made my way off..

Shame I couldn't do this the whole way home..

It quite rapidly got a whole lot less fun. Was a head wind for the whole of the coast road. Cold and dull and blown backwards. In fact at the last coastal place before turning inland the sea was so choppy that I revised my thoughts about Norfolk surfing. When we saw the board in Cromer advertising surf lessons I thought they were being a tad hopeful given the size of the waves, but here in Waxham it was bigger than Newquay. Didn't stop for a photo there, just more Jelly Babies. Did stop a bit earlier to get piccies in Happisburgh.. and texted Pops to say I really fancied a toasted teacake!!! (Pops reply: Much energy in charcoal?!)

Horsey Mill a welcome sight as it was pretty much straight back to Norwich from here.

Hurt quite a lot now. Right knee starting to seize up. The wind was now more on our side though. I don't think I dared stop from this point on, as I didn't think I could then start again. At 7 miles from Norwich I really really wanted to stop, throw the rucksack in a hedge, sit down, cry, and wait for Mum to come get me! The pain in my neck was really bad. I have learned to never ever carry a heavy rucksack on a long ride ever again. Did I need any of the crap in there? No. But.. me being me, I carried on. Again, nearly cried seeing this loom ever closer...

Whilst it does look like it, the bike was not actually thrown down in disgust. If it had been my bike, then yes. Plus a good kicking..

Hurrah again for Bumble coming to rescue me, and taking me home for my sleep in the bath listening to KD. Ma cooked me a yummy tea, then beat me at Triv. We decided that I should have bought the bent leg jeans we had laughed at in New Look on Saturday, as that was the only way I could walk. Decision to drive back on Monday a very wise one.

 Big thanks to all who sponsored me, to Bumble and Ma/Pa for rescues, Chalkie for photos and J, H, JJ for turning out.