Morning Ride Motivation

If I’m going to ride, I need to prepare, and so head to the kitchen and prepare 2 Elite Jet bottles with Voom hydration powder. I choose 2 Voom bars too, hoping not to need them, but knowing that I will. Two 750 ml bottles should do the trick, and I like the bottles from Elite. They clean easily and can be put into the dishwasher, but best of all, they don’t have that horrible taste that many bottles suffer with. I need to feel positive on the ride today and every little point counts. Yes, small details like my choice of bottles are important, and yes I can be a little bit set about these things. We’re all on the spectrum a little and detail is important to me.

Wrapped in our new team kit,I set off not knowing exactly where I’d ride. The only stipulation was that I had to ride for at least 2 hours – whatever the weather. I headed up the narrow lane that climbs from Ripon to Nidderdale and Wensleydale, and selected a route that took in a few minor climbs as I warmed up, then a few short and steeper hills because I needed to hurt if I was to train well. Thankfully, we’re blessed with numerous hills of at 17 to 20% close to home, and so pain was guaranteed.

Riding into the tree covered lanes, I’d chosen a route where cars wouldn’t trouble me. These hidden roads are unknown to the masses and a local secret in this cycling mecca. However, just over an hour into a windy ride, the rain came. Not hard, but annoying and unpredictable. On these country roads, with dirt and grit, the addition of rain can be treacherous, and so the route was amended. More climbing and some reasonably straight descents. At least I’d be able to see where I’d fall! On this eastern edge of our national park, close to the flat vale, the unpredictable winds can also be treacherous. Gusts come from nowhere and blow you sideways from your bike, so control is imperative.