88 Days to Go: Girl Interrupted

The change of seasons has bought the inevitable next round of bugs in the office.  The symphony of racking coughs is enough to put the wind up anyone in training, and sure enough I spent last weekend fighting off a virus.  Luckily this only resulted in a couple of days of feeling like crap and then I was back to normal by Monday.  So no long rides for me last weekend.  Oh and then that lovely white stuff made a reappearance three days after "British Summer Time" began.  I had the summer bike service last weekend and was really excited at the prospect of getting back into training after work.  But Monday night saw the summer bike firmly back on the turbo.

Managed 3 rides in 3 days this Easter Weekend.  Friday was a 33 mile local ride over the Lang Wang.  About five minutes into the ride I caught up with a local lady and, as we were planning to do the same route and were fairly evenly paced, we rode together. While the roadside was shoulder high with snow in places the roads were passable. Woolford cottages, which is not normally much to look at, looked like a picture postcard winter scene. With the lovely spring sunshine, and good company, it all made for fantastic riding. 

Saturday was an unplanned speed session as I needed to pick up my car from a workshop before it shut.  With about 90 minutes notice, the ride taking about an hour, and not being ready to go it was the fastest I had ridden in awhile.  Made with about 5 minutes to spare. 

So yesterday was the long ride with some long climbs.

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/gb/borders/426127046401722629

The forecast was for 100% cloud and 0.1mm rain, which usually means no rain or at the most light drizzle.  But when we arrived at the starting point it was freezing cold and raining.  Now I have to confess I am most definitely a fair weather rider so this was a test of my commitment to La Marmotte.  I put on all the layers that I had, gritted my teeth and got on with the task in hand.  The first climb was the most miserable experience on my summer bike ever!  Absolutely soaked legs, cold and poor visibility due to my cycling glasses being clogged up with rain.  But then once over the top I could see sunshine in Innerleithen.  Yipeee!!!  Rewarded for my efforts at last!  For the next hour or so it was lovely dry roads and a fairly easy run, albeit I was still cold. 

Once I turned back into the wind though, for the stretch between Clovenfords and Innerleithen, it was a struggle.  I felt so slow I thought I was back on the winter bike and every hill seemed like a challenge.  I really wondered if I had the mental strength to get back over the last climb.  I stopped for five minutes and ate another bar.  Well, after that I was flying and hardly felt the last long climb!  Wondered what all the fuss was about.  Lessons learnt in poor nutrition I think.  I put it down to needing more calories than normal due to being cold. 

Oh and the highlight......being rewarded with stunning views of mid lothian on the final, amazing descent of the day.