Shop ride - testing fitness and bicycles
Yesterday evening, my friend Anna Rinne, who knows everyone here in Girona and who knows what is happening, told me that there will be a shop ride today. At 10 am, which is the usual time, but which was kind of early for me. I decide to make my best to wake up early.
I made it to the ride. I was delighted to meet my friends Saskia, Dave, Josep, Jolien and many others. Like Neil Martin, who calls me Matt Finish, which everyone finds funny. I do as well.
I arrived at the shop at 9.30, installed my Vector S pedals, tool bag and other necessities. It took only 15 minutes, so I had 15 minutes for applying sun screen and chatting.
The shop ride took its normal, easier route up the slopes of Rocacorba. There are several steep uphill sections, up to 12%, before the coffee break. The faster riders dropped me, they always do. But I did not give up. Rather I just kept on spinning my pedals and keeping power just below my threshold. I made it to the cafe not too much later than the faster guys. I should lose 15kg in order to keep up with the faster guys. But then there would be even faster ones, so why bother.
After longish coffee break we decided to ride the usual Bonmati - Mas Lunes loop. For the first 30 minutes the road is about 2-4 % with some flat sections and downhills, and I managed to hang on. Average speed was 30km/h. Nice. Then, over the Bonmati hill. The others were faster, I just kept pushing at treshold. It is only 2.5 km, so not too bad.
Down to Bonmati, the up again to Mas Lunes. Not steep, only 3-4% this one, but the other got agitated to follow Zak Dempster, who was motorpacing up the hill. He did, however, have time to slow down and say hello to me. Again, others were faster, but I managed to bridge over later on a flat section.
We arrived back in Girona just before a thunderstorm. Luckily.
Later, we picked up Sirkku's bike, had a test ride and then I had my first beer in B-12. Local craft beer from Santa Pau, some American weissIPA. Very good, with liquorice aftertaste.
Tomorrow, hill time trial up to Els Angels. Will be fun?
I made it to the ride. I was delighted to meet my friends Saskia, Dave, Josep, Jolien and many others. Like Neil Martin, who calls me Matt Finish, which everyone finds funny. I do as well.
I arrived at the shop at 9.30, installed my Vector S pedals, tool bag and other necessities. It took only 15 minutes, so I had 15 minutes for applying sun screen and chatting.
The shop ride took its normal, easier route up the slopes of Rocacorba. There are several steep uphill sections, up to 12%, before the coffee break. The faster riders dropped me, they always do. But I did not give up. Rather I just kept on spinning my pedals and keeping power just below my threshold. I made it to the cafe not too much later than the faster guys. I should lose 15kg in order to keep up with the faster guys. But then there would be even faster ones, so why bother.
 |
| Coffee break with Gran Fondo participants |
After longish coffee break we decided to ride the usual Bonmati - Mas Lunes loop. For the first 30 minutes the road is about 2-4 % with some flat sections and downhills, and I managed to hang on. Average speed was 30km/h. Nice. Then, over the Bonmati hill. The others were faster, I just kept pushing at treshold. It is only 2.5 km, so not too bad.
Down to Bonmati, the up again to Mas Lunes. Not steep, only 3-4% this one, but the other got agitated to follow Zak Dempster, who was motorpacing up the hill. He did, however, have time to slow down and say hello to me. Again, others were faster, but I managed to bridge over later on a flat section.
We arrived back in Girona just before a thunderstorm. Luckily.
Later, we picked up Sirkku's bike, had a test ride and then I had my first beer in B-12. Local craft beer from Santa Pau, some American weissIPA. Very good, with liquorice aftertaste.
 |
| Enjoying Catalan craft beer |
Tomorrow, hill time trial up to Els Angels. Will be fun?
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| A local shop selling buttons etc |
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