This weekends ride

Ok - it may seem a bit late to be posting things about something that hlppened on Sunday, but firstly I'm trying to catch up with work after the bank holiday, and secondly I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

We went along to help out on Sunday and the atmosphere was great. As I was at the lunch stop early I caught the superfit bunch, lycra clad and looking very professional looking. Which of course was a little scary. And I learnt a thing or two.

Lycra is very unforgiving. It shows every bump. Which is great if you're a bloke with a lunchbox like Lynford or an incredibly boney woman.

Now I'm not saying I'm any less attractive than the next woman, but, hell, I've had two babies and over 40 years worth of gravityhave been doing what gravity does. Secondly, lycra-type cycling shirts are just about 'de rigeur' if you want to be comfortable - these guys left in a chilly, misty environment, and arrived in blistering heat. So unless you've a trailer full of 'be prepared' clothes changes, riding shirts are a good bet.

Anyway, I've a whole year to angst over that one.

My bike has now been adapted so that I can reach the ground when I need to, which is a bit of a relief. I've also been advised to take it to the bike shop to check it fits properly.

So as soon as registration opens, I shall be there, training plan in hand. Having seen the super speedy guys getting in after 5 or so hours, I'm scared, very scared, but take consolation from the fact that the last riders this year came in shortly after 7 to rapturous applause - bringing to life that this is all about doing it, not how fast you can do it.

Although tell that to the guys who arrived first.