The Camaraderie of Cyclists (C#29)
Sunday 7 August, 101 Miles
After the
excitement of yesterday’s ferry ride I thought I would go on a rather more
subdued ride today. But what to do? Where should I go? As I left home I still
didn’t have any idea of where to go. Perhaps I should just ride around
aimlessly until I had notched up the required miles. That did seem a bit
pointless though. Then it struck me! I would ride the four counties route again
(Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex). (see C#2.) Only this time I
would go the other way round. At this point I was slightly off piste but I quickly
worked out a cunning plan to get me back onto the route.
So off I went making
good progress and I was soon back on course. Although I had left home under
heavy, lead-grey skies the sun soon broke through and the temperature began to
rise sharply. This looked like being one hot day. The only downside was a very high
wind which gusted quite strongly. Several times I had to grip the handlebars
tightly to avoid being blown over by the crosswinds. The strong wind meant that
as long as I was moving I did not notice the temperature. But as soon as I
slowed it became apparent that it really was pretty hot. The other giveaway was
that I was drinking a lot. So a stop to refill my bidons was going to be
necessary.
Arriving at
Clare in south Suffolk I called in to the local branch of the Co-op. Over the
last few years the East of England Co-op seems to have re-invented itself and
today provides all the essentials that the thirsty and hungry cyclist needs
without too much razzmatazz. So I propped my bike up against the shop front and
headed inside to get a bottle of water and a can of coke. At the till I joined the queue behind a
fellow cyclist and we acknowledged each other with a cherry hello and a smile.
I emerged from
the Co-op to discover said cyclist examining my Bianchi which he approved of and
had spotted that it was equipped with Italian (Campagnolo) components. I then
quickly discovered that my fellow cyclist shopper was riding with a friend and
that they had come from Cambridge and were heading for Lavenham. I let slip, or
even perhaps a minor boast, that I was on a mission to ride 60 centuries and
that I was blogging the rides. So details of my blog were duly recorded on my
fellow rider’s smart phone as we passed the time of day over cold drinks. My cyclist
acquaintance also kindly took the photo of me posing outside the Co-op.
It was soon time
to set off so we said our farewells and I was on my way. As I rode out of Clare
I realised that I didn’t know my photographer’s name. But, if you do read this
blog, then thanks for taking the pic and I hope you both enjoyed the rest of
your ride as much as I did.
Musing on this
brief encounter caused me to think what a nice lot we cyclists are. In my
experience, cyclists are generally a very friendly bunch. And riding a bike is
a great leveller. Most cyclists acknowledge each other with a friendly nod, wave
or a hello as they pass each other. And the stories of riders stopping to help
out those in trouble – a puncture or a mechanical – are legion. For me the
social aspect of cycling is one of the greatest enjoyments. For sure there is a
serious, competitive side. But time and time again, those I have met on the road,
or ridden with at events, are the people who have really made the ride. And
sometimes, through the shared experience and effort I have made some new
friends on the road.
But there are
risks as I have found out. Once while riding along I noticed a rider at the
side of the road with his bike lying on the verge. I slowed and called out: “Do
you need any help?” “No thanks” was the rather curt reply. At that point I realised
the stop was natural not mechanical! Just as well I didn’t offer to lend him
hand!!
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