2020 RR X CCC Catching up with H. Another great friend and legend!
17.10.20
Ride 10 - 200.32 miles to go.
So I received a message from my friend Helen on Tuesday. "Let me know if you need a tag along at the weekend."
And without hesitation a weekend ride was arranged. A lovely 35 miles to Manchester on roads that I have never traveled before.
H is an Ironwoman, adventure seeker and an amazing cyclist.
If it wasn't for her I would never have found out about the California Coast Classic. When, one day back in August 2014 she handed me a flyer and said this is how you make your dream come true. The flyer was advertising the 2015 tour and the rest as they say is history.
Recently, she was half way in to an epic solo LEJOG cycling adventure (Lands End to John O'Groats). When unfortunately, she had to abandon due to a rather nasty abscess. After an operation and 6 weeks off she is now back. Today was her first real ride and test since that adventure.
Helen and LEJOG have unfinished business and she will return to complete it.
Today's ride as with Tuesday's was just nice to be in the company of another person. This RR X CCC has been a lonely challenge and normally my own company doesn't bother me. Especially when it is just training rides. But because this is an event, one that I am usually surrounded by a couple of hundred other cyclists. Yeah, it's been a different experience from what I am use too.
Hitting Manchester for the second time this week gets no complaints from me. As I tell everyone it is the greatest city in the World, so I do not mind heading there as and when.
We stopped by Media City UK. For those who do not know. It is a relatively new location for the UK's main media channels outside of London. BBC and ITV have moved many departments and programmes to this location.
Another iconic location that we spent a few moments at The Theatre of Dreams. Old Trafford and the home of Manchester United. I describe it as one of thee greatest sporting stadiums in the World. Just cool to cycle up to it and pay respect to a great sporting giant.
A third quick pit stop over at RM Fitness Manchester. It was a nice chance to catch up with another friend and ex fitness colleague Mr Sam Dimmick.
Once we landed in the city centre it was time for lunch. Any guesses? Of course it had to be Hard Rock Cafe! Legendary Burger washed down with more full fat Coca Cola and pin badge purchases made.
Whilst Helen made her way home on the train (sensibly and quite rightly not wanting to push her recovery too much). I took my normal direct route back to Wigan and home.
All in all, another great ride and another awesome half century.
377.98 miles down. 147.02 to go. 21788ft climbed.
Ps - Ride 1. Yeap it was officially the wettest day in the UK since records began and I got caught in it. (CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK TO BBC NEWS STORY)
Pps - Your support would mean the World to me and even more so to The Arthritis Foundation…
>>> MY DONATION PAGE
Ride 10.
D. 53.30 miles.
E. 1463ft.
Ride 10 - 200.32 miles to go.
So I received a message from my friend Helen on Tuesday. "Let me know if you need a tag along at the weekend."
And without hesitation a weekend ride was arranged. A lovely 35 miles to Manchester on roads that I have never traveled before.
H is an Ironwoman, adventure seeker and an amazing cyclist.
If it wasn't for her I would never have found out about the California Coast Classic. When, one day back in August 2014 she handed me a flyer and said this is how you make your dream come true. The flyer was advertising the 2015 tour and the rest as they say is history.
Recently, she was half way in to an epic solo LEJOG cycling adventure (Lands End to John O'Groats). When unfortunately, she had to abandon due to a rather nasty abscess. After an operation and 6 weeks off she is now back. Today was her first real ride and test since that adventure.
Helen and LEJOG have unfinished business and she will return to complete it.
Today's ride as with Tuesday's was just nice to be in the company of another person. This RR X CCC has been a lonely challenge and normally my own company doesn't bother me. Especially when it is just training rides. But because this is an event, one that I am usually surrounded by a couple of hundred other cyclists. Yeah, it's been a different experience from what I am use too.
Hitting Manchester for the second time this week gets no complaints from me. As I tell everyone it is the greatest city in the World, so I do not mind heading there as and when.
We stopped by Media City UK. For those who do not know. It is a relatively new location for the UK's main media channels outside of London. BBC and ITV have moved many departments and programmes to this location.
Another iconic location that we spent a few moments at The Theatre of Dreams. Old Trafford and the home of Manchester United. I describe it as one of thee greatest sporting stadiums in the World. Just cool to cycle up to it and pay respect to a great sporting giant.
A third quick pit stop over at RM Fitness Manchester. It was a nice chance to catch up with another friend and ex fitness colleague Mr Sam Dimmick.
Once we landed in the city centre it was time for lunch. Any guesses? Of course it had to be Hard Rock Cafe! Legendary Burger washed down with more full fat Coca Cola and pin badge purchases made.
Whilst Helen made her way home on the train (sensibly and quite rightly not wanting to push her recovery too much). I took my normal direct route back to Wigan and home.
All in all, another great ride and another awesome half century.
377.98 miles down. 147.02 to go. 21788ft climbed.
Ps - Ride 1. Yeap it was officially the wettest day in the UK since records began and I got caught in it. (CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK TO BBC NEWS STORY)
Pps - Your support would mean the World to me and even more so to The Arthritis Foundation…
>>> MY DONATION PAGE
Ride 10.
D. 53.30 miles.
E. 1463ft.