Riding (yes!)

I've kicked off my riding again with the R&R Sport 30th Birthday ride.  While I'm "between jobs" I figure I should take these opportunities for weekday rides.  R&R was offering a goodie bag and a 30km or so ride up the River path to do a lap of the Pukete MTB track, then back down the river path and back to the shop.

I managed to wrangle the kids into preschool early enough to get back home, saddle up and ride into town before 9am.  At the shop, I stashed my goodies away (Gu gels, a R&R lanyard, a small Ems Power Cookie, a drink bottle, and a sweet set of discount vouchers) before remembering to adjust my seatpost back up to full height.  I had lowered my seat whilst I was riding with wobbly Oli on the Giant Half Bike.

We took some 'before' photos and rolled away from the shop and down the river path.  Our tyres buzzed along the pavers, and someone's expensive hub buzzed proudly when coasting.  I was aboard the Haro Mary with the near silent Alfine hub in the back.  We rode out to Pukete in full sun, taking off-trail excursions on some riverside "singletrack".  DC lead me off the beaten path and straight into some scaffolding, not before I had my rear brake lever whacked out of position by sneaky ninja branch - it just jumped right out at me.  We rejoined the group and grovelled up the pinch climb onto Pukete Road.  Finally we had made it to the MTB track.  This would be the slowest 9km of our day.  I wasn't complaining - because my legs were suffering!  The frequent stops were welcomed and the dry hard track made it easy going.  A bit of a photo session at the weeny xc jump (6 inches of sweet air!) and we were on our way again.

We rode the entire track and were spurred on when the call came through that DC's mum had made scones!  So, back down the river path to stop at DCs mum's place for tea and scones with jam.  Yummy scones - they did not last long at all!  Feeling slightly refreshed we rolled back to the shop.  A great morning of riding.

I decided not to rush back home, but got some lunch in town and met up with Andrew to sit out in the sun in Garden Place.  Tired, dirty, and sweaty, I rode home into a headwind and towards the harsh reality of domestic chores to be done.  Didn't matter though, I smiled for the rest of the day.

And when I say, "kicked off my riding again"... well, I was soon down for the count with a cold that turned into an ear infection and ruined two weeks, including me cancelling my plans for a good night of fun on my birthday.  I was pretty bummed out about that.  Still, I got quite a few visitors who risked their health by being in the same room as me and I even got to play fetch with Bodhi, not to mention some pretty sweet presents.  I missed the Whaka 25km race because I still felt as weak as a kitten, but now I'm back on deck and ready to go.

I need to ride.  Shut up legs.