Back in the saddle

Hey, it's great to be back in the saddle!!! I didn't know how much I'd missed it until I got out on the road again - twice in the past week. The sensation of speed and the great feeling of breathing in clean country air on Route 7, a well-worn track to and from Castle Semple Cafe via the Blair estate. Admittedly, getting out today was more to do with not being able to get out in the mountains (again, arrgh!!!), so on this occasion cycling was just another way of getting outdoors. I would do anything that involves getting outdoors (reminds me of a Meatloaf song), even golf! Well, maybe that's stretching it somewhat.

Anyways, me and the Gavster (or should that be: "Fat Lad" - of which, more later) found ourselves heading up that old familiar track for a morning coffee at Lochwinnoch. Only problem was, with the wind at our tail we got there rather quicker than expected and found the shutter still down, as it was still only 9.45am. Luckily the kind folks in the cafe know our faces (more evidence of the habit) and took pity on these sweaty superstars in lycra, letting us in early for a window seat and a nice soft couch. Oooh - a very nice and most welcome soft couch, after a hard saddle! Bums take time to adjust after such a long spell on the sidelines - last time out on the bike was late Sept/early Oct (I think some Assos cream is required!).

So, what is it about cycling that's so fantastic?

Adrenaline; buses (well, racing buses through town anyway); Cube - my trusty steed, duuuh!; energy gels; fast; getting places under your own steam; hustling through heavy traffic when two wheels are faster than four; interval training, ouch!; jumpers...of the cool and stylish variety, of course; kit - I must admit, I'm rather fond of bright, gaudy colours; lycra - it's a MAMIL thing!; mental; new gear; outdoors...obviously!; positivity - I feel good, mentally as well as physically; quicker than running; racing; Shimano - they seem to make everything; The Tour; up - yes, up - because then it's down, and that involves speed; Vuelta - go figure!; weight - the lighter the better; xtra time outdoors; youth, or the prolonging of it; zooming along, in the zone!

So, there we are, what good reason could be found not to be oot an' aboot on a Saturday mornin'? Absolutely none! Yeeha!

What about this Fat Lad stuff, then? Check out the photos to find out...nice jumper by the way, Gav!

Finally, the other thing about a tail wind is that usually you'll have to face it at some point. And face it we did - all the way back to Kilwinning. Me in front, Fat Lad at the back. Ah well, you win some, you lose some - good resistance training, so it is.