Look Good, Bike Good... by jamieB

I've been killed for the last couple of weeks doing a contracting job redoing an organisation's IT from the bottom up.  I've done loads of physical stuff that I don't usually do and I've made some good mates. 

One of them said to me on Wednesday, "I can't believe you are cycling 100 miles for fun."  From one viewpoint, I am doing the Manchester 100 for fun, I'm doing it for me and my love of lycra and taking people's money to help others.  From another, it doesn't feel like fun but I am trying to keep positive and am trying the hardest I can.  My main view point is that if we can raise a bit of cash for the Christie then it's worth, the time, the effort and any pain.  It's also worth wearing padded pants too which I must say is a great feeling.

I ran with my neighbour yesterday and felt like introducing him to swimming in the Bridgewater Canal really enjoyed giving my time to him despite his lack of commitment and moaning. It helps me redevelop my patience and I feel like I'm helping him improve as a person.  I did have the best night's sleep for a while and got up early to bike.  However, it's that thing.  You know what I mean don't you? Sitting on the sofa having coffee in your kit watching a bit of TV, there is nothing like it.

So finally out on the bike.  My Gran, God rest her soul, used to say "never get on a boat when you don't know where it's going."  It's stuck with me and has been useful when talking to strangers, getting on tubes and buses as well as travel in general.  It stems from her and my Grandfather almost getting on a boat/ship in Gibraltar in the mid-1950's.  They used to leave the kids at home, with their Gran, and drive through France and Spain for three months at a time.  His plan was to drive across Africa(?) and buy a farm in South Africa as well as move his construction firm there.  She always told me that she stood there on the dock and just said no.  He was such a gent and was so in love with her, he said okay and binned his dream.

Anyway back to the bike.  I pedalled up to the lights and chose right.  I didn't know where I was going and broke with tradition finding myself taking the road through Chorlton and Didsbury to Stockport.  Up that bloddy hill near the old Bluebell Hotel and into Hazel Grove.  I then cycled towards Lyme Park and through to Disley.  Just past Lyme Park I experienced the best cycling I have ever done.  Fairly flat, maybe a slight decline and a great road surface. I had it on the small cog and I just rolled with it, hitting about 25 mph although this had been preceded by a sluggish ride on a never ending incline from the bottom of Hazel Grove to High Lane Village.

Down the A6 to the roadabout near Chapel En Le Firth which seemed deserted today and then a decision.  The Sparrow Pit or to Chapel En Le Firth and the Freodo factory??  I went to Chapel and regretted not getting to the Sparrow Pit.  I did get a bit lost around here, cycling around a bit between Whaley Bridge, Chinley and Tunstead Milton before finally getting back on the A6 back home.

So in summary, 42 miles done with more hills and inclines than last week.  At first I felt disappointed with it.  I should have gone to the Sparrow Pit for a pint and I should have done more than 50 miles today.  However, I'm glad with what I got today.  You have to be because it's all part of my bigger dream and you have to remember that some people don't get the chance to live their dreams, no matter how big or small.  Some miss out because of illness or fear or because they can't be bothered.

Some because they loved someone so much they couldn't see her unhappy....