Daves Random Ramblings

So two weekends ago I went and tried something new. I stepped up a group on the WCC main club ride and went from intermediates to intermediate / fast.  Yes they are similar in the names with "/ fast" added onto the end of the title of the new group but this group were really not messing about when it came to the speed.  A really nice, friendly bunch of guys that made this look far too easy but I suppose if that's what they normally go at then it is par for the course for them. Being the newbie in the group I was happy enough riding at the back and drafting behind them.  Moving up the pack sometimes and only once at the front which I found a tad hard because I was trying to replicate the same effort / speed as well as having to deal with the wind resistance that you dont get as much when drafting / slip streaming / hiding behind another cyclist. I did feel a little bit unsociable as they were chatting away to one another and there was the "getting to know the ...

The next big ride has now been completed and I am so happy! It was a long day / weekend for sure, but thanks to Claire F (my sportive entourage) I was able to get to Dover on Saturday evening for my very temporary lodgings.  The room itself was basic and yet nice, although the temperature when I first arrived there just would not do: So I was able to get that rectified very quickly.  That's the advantage of a small room is it doesn't take long at all to heat up: ... so much better.  Unfortunately too hot as later on as I woke up after only 2 hours, laying on top of the bed covers like it was summer time again and I was absolutely melting. The alarm went off at 3:30am (why do I do this to myself?).  I had my liquid fuel breakfast and proceeded to get ready It goes without saying that it was pitch black outside and not at all warm.  The hotel had let us (as there were a few of us staying there the night before) store our bikes in a secure roo...