Categories: uncategorized
Date: 13 June 2004 15:16:35
Well, we did it. And dare I say, it was quite pleasant actually.
The bikeathon started at 11.00 a.m. and there was a friendly gathering of people when we arrived. I was, thank goodness, not the only adult cycling.. and the youngest child was two! (Poor Dad had to run round pushing the little one's trike as she wasn't old enough to pedal!) The sky was blue, the sun was blisteringly hot, and there was a slight hint of a breeze which prevented it being too unbearable, but it was necessary to make plenty of rehydration stops (what a shame!)
Smudgelet, of course, fell off on the very first lap.. in the middle of a collection of fall-offers. The cinder track of the speedway took some getting used to and he'd skidded on some fine gravel which took him unawares. He did the injured soldier bit for long enough for the marshalls to come rushing to his aid and to apply plasters to two poorly fingers, but was soon back in the saddle. Tiddles shot off into the distance at a steady pace as I continued somewhat more sedately round the track. A lovely lad passing on his bike kept comparing lap-counts each time he overtook me (which was fairly regularly) but I was quite impressed that I managed to keep going and keep going. Two laps.. three laps... ten... twenty...
Despite warnings to pace himself, Smudgelet of course cycled himself into the ground within half an hour and had to be taken off for a sit down in the shade. I thought that'd be the last we saw of him, but I was well impressed when my little hero came striding back onto the track, picked up his bike, and soldiered on.. wisely stopping each half lap to catch his breath and start again. Needless to say, he lost track of how many laps he did, but apart from his two medical breaks he cycled for the whole two hours and was the very last person to leave the track.
Tiddles was second to last person to leave. He managed a magnificent seventy-three laps. For the first hour he was out to build up a huge advantage but then for the second hour he slowed down and joined me and we were able to chat as we went.
Me? How did I do? Well, I'm proud to say I was the third last person to leave. I stopped for a few swigs of water en route, of course, and did allow myself a toilet-and-coffee stop half way through, but apart from that I kept going and notched up an incredible fifty five laps. Fifty five laps! The thighs were beginning to wonder what on earth I was doing, but I could have done another five at least if we hadn't run out of time. In fact, by far the hardest part was getting my leg over the bike to dismount... and walking back to the car afterwards!
That's about £250 raised for Leukaemia Research... ,could be more if you haven't got around to sponsoring us yet (Hint hint!) ... and a lovely family activity to boot. And, for me, another sign that I am finally getting some strength back after the glandular fever. (Mind you, how my legs will be feeling this time tomorrow when I'm stood in front of a class teaching is another matter!)
The boys were particularly delighted as this now means that I have no excuse not to go on bike rides with them. Well, that's what they thought! As we were driving home there was a sudden "POP Fsssssssssssssssssssssss" and the rear tyre of my bike slowly fizzed down like a deflating balloon. Oh dear... no more riding for me until the puncture's repaired. ;)
Now, my brother's due to arrive any minute for a flying overnight visit (though I feel more like lying in a nice warm bath than being sociable). Tiddles and I have made a deal - he's going to bed for the afternoon in an hour's time and then getting up later to watch the f**tb*ll when Smudgelet goes to bed. What an indulgent mummy I am. How will any of us be up in time for school tomorrow?
Photos to follow, seeing as one ratbag said he'd only sponsor us if I promised I'd put a photo online.