When I had to be rescued …
I had picked up my new bike from the bike shop less than 10hrs before I began the longest ride I’d ever attempted - probably not the best plan I’ve ever had. When my grandparents who live in Warwickshire asked me when my train back to Norwich was and I told them I was cycling back they laughed thinking I was joking!
“But you can’t ride back to Norwich” they kept saying, “how long is that going to take you?” I kept saying that it would be fine and tried to reassure them by saying “it’s only 150 miles” and showing them my highlighted route on my photocopied pages of maps. (all 13 of them)
Secretly I was aware that cycling 50% further than I’d ever cycled before would not be such a breeze. The first time I cycled 100miles was theNorwich
My uncle kept offering to drive me and my new bike back, but that would completely miss the point. I wasn’t cycling because I couldn’t afford the train, but because it’s a perfect opportunity to get in some training! I was determined and looking forward to the challenge I’d set myself, but at the same time realised it was a bit silly, but then the Triple Crown Challenge itself is not a particularly sane activity to embark on!
I had picked up my new bike from the bike shop less than 10hrs before I began the longest ride I’d ever attempted - probably not the best plan I’ve ever had. When my grandparents who live in Warwickshire asked me when my train back to Norwich was and I told them I was cycling back they laughed thinking I was joking!
“But you can’t ride back to Norwich” they kept saying, “how long is that going to take you?” I kept saying that it would be fine and tried to reassure them by saying “it’s only 150 miles” and showing them my highlighted route on my photocopied pages of maps. (all 13 of them)
Secretly I was aware that cycling 50% further than I’d ever cycled before would not be such a breeze. The first time I cycled 100miles was the
My uncle kept offering to drive me and my new bike back, but that would completely miss the point. I wasn’t cycling because I couldn’t afford the train, but because it’s a perfect opportunity to get in some training! I was determined and looking forward to the challenge I’d set myself, but at the same time realised it was a bit silly, but then the Triple Crown Challenge itself is not a particularly sane activity to embark on!
It wasn’t the first time I’d done a long distance ride using a bike I’d never used before. The Norwich 100, was my first 100 mile ride, and I was forced to borrow Alex’s home-built bike (that he’d only finished building that day) due to my bike “braking” (pun intended) just 10hrs before the start of the race. It was my first taste of a proper racing bike, and it felt great. However, a 60cm frame was far too big for me, I might not be a dwarf but I’m certainly not a giant. (and I don’t mean the bike brand)
After the Norwich 100 I had some trouble with my knee, but I had put this down to the oversized frame that I’d been using. However, before I embarked on the 150 mile ride I was worried that maybe I’d discover that actually this is a cycling injury with long term effects and not just from overstretching. Another reason why my plan was not sensible. Obviously my grandparents knew nothing of this, but still did their level best to persuade me not to go.
I’d made such a big deal out of it, there was no backing out, I had to go and it all had to be fine. I set off at 6.30 and left for Norwich knowing that my grandparents would be worrying all day until I phoned them to tell them I’d got home safely.
The first 40 miles was positive, there were some amazing hills that I could let my amazing new wheels and gears (what a novelty!) do their work! The difference from my old bike was unbelievable, it felt as if the bike moved by itself and pedalling was just if you wanted to go faster. But the excitement of the new bike soon wore off when it began to rain, and I realised I gone an extra 10 miles making my long journey even longer! My backpack was beginning to take its toll, I had acquired blisters on my hands, and my knee was beginning to hurt. The seat was too far back and I couldn’t find the screw that needed to be loosened in order to push it forward and I was still 75 miles from Norwich and due to map reading, toilet stops and bike adjustments it had taken a bit longer than expected.
I stopped to phone my grandparents to tell them that it was all going great and had a morale Clif bar and a couple of Clif shots and carried on! I got to 120 miles and was feeling great, it was raining but I was whizzing down some lovely country lanes and hadn’t seen a car in ages, I was really enjoying it and then PUNCTURE! This was the first time I had had to sort out a puncture by myself, so I was a bit worried but was glad it had happened as I knew it was inevitable at some point and I needed practise. So I set to work on the side of a little country lane in the torrential rain replace the inner tube. Every car that went past was another tidal wave over my head. I’m sure it amused many people in their cars, but I found it funny too as I was already drenched through. I was nearly there just trying to get the final bit of tyre back on and then I heard the dissatisfying noise of air coming out of my new inner tube. I had managed to puncture it with my tyre levers, exactly as I had seen Trev do on theNorwich
I set off for the last 40 miles, I was gunna go hard, but my knee was giving me a bit of gip so I decided to take it easy so as not to permanently damage myself. 20 miles to Norwich now I know I’m nearly there, the sense of satisfaction was beginning to creep in, I was beginning to think, “I’ve done it.”
I thought I was about 20 miles away from Norwich, but then I saw a sign for Norwich saying 17 miles which was a major morale boost. I knew where I was now, and only an hour to go! Morale raised I picked up the pace, but then 5 minutes later I pass a sign that says 23 miles to Norwich. My pace reduced dramatically, I felt deflated, and then a massive pothole made my tyre follow suite. Another puncture! I was cold, wet and tyred! I was now about 19 miles from Norwich but I was stuck on the side of the A47 after deciding to take the easiest route straight back. My hands were freezing and I knew that if I tried to sort out my puncture with my one remaining inner tube it would take me ages, and I wasn’t sure whether my hands could physically put the tyre back on. I knew that if I was to tell my gran that my new ETA would be after 9 her stress levels would go through the roof! I was a cold and wet and tired and it was beginning to get dark and I just wanted to get home!
I decided to go for a last resort and phoned a few people I knew in and around the area who wouldn’t mind coming to rescue a wet demoralised and beaten cyclist. I was just 19 miles away I wanted to complete it, but I gave in knowing my hands couldn’t do it! I admitted defeat and ended up interrupting Rich and his friend Joe at the pub who came to rescue me! THANK YOU!
Lessons = More gloves (waterproof), garmin is faster than maps, tell grandparents you’re getting the train to save their stress and cycling long distances if more fun with friends!!!
I’d made such a big deal out of it, there was no backing out, I had to go and it all had to be fine. I set off at 6.30 and left for Norwich knowing that my grandparents would be worrying all day until I phoned them to tell them I’d got home safely.
The first 40 miles was positive, there were some amazing hills that I could let my amazing new wheels and gears (what a novelty!) do their work! The difference from my old bike was unbelievable, it felt as if the bike moved by itself and pedalling was just if you wanted to go faster. But the excitement of the new bike soon wore off when it began to rain, and I realised I gone an extra 10 miles making my long journey even longer! My backpack was beginning to take its toll, I had acquired blisters on my hands, and my knee was beginning to hurt. The seat was too far back and I couldn’t find the screw that needed to be loosened in order to push it forward and I was still 75 miles from Norwich and due to map reading, toilet stops and bike adjustments it had taken a bit longer than expected.
I stopped to phone my grandparents to tell them that it was all going great and had a morale Clif bar and a couple of Clif shots and carried on! I got to 120 miles and was feeling great, it was raining but I was whizzing down some lovely country lanes and hadn’t seen a car in ages, I was really enjoying it and then PUNCTURE! This was the first time I had had to sort out a puncture by myself, so I was a bit worried but was glad it had happened as I knew it was inevitable at some point and I needed practise. So I set to work on the side of a little country lane in the torrential rain replace the inner tube. Every car that went past was another tidal wave over my head. I’m sure it amused many people in their cars, but I found it funny too as I was already drenched through. I was nearly there just trying to get the final bit of tyre back on and then I heard the dissatisfying noise of air coming out of my new inner tube. I had managed to puncture it with my tyre levers, exactly as I had seen Trev do on the
I set off for the last 40 miles, I was gunna go hard, but my knee was giving me a bit of gip so I decided to take it easy so as not to permanently damage myself. 20 miles to Norwich now I know I’m nearly there, the sense of satisfaction was beginning to creep in, I was beginning to think, “I’ve done it.”
I thought I was about 20 miles away from Norwich, but then I saw a sign for Norwich saying 17 miles which was a major morale boost. I knew where I was now, and only an hour to go! Morale raised I picked up the pace, but then 5 minutes later I pass a sign that says 23 miles to Norwich. My pace reduced dramatically, I felt deflated, and then a massive pothole made my tyre follow suite. Another puncture! I was cold, wet and tyred! I was now about 19 miles from Norwich but I was stuck on the side of the A47 after deciding to take the easiest route straight back. My hands were freezing and I knew that if I tried to sort out my puncture with my one remaining inner tube it would take me ages, and I wasn’t sure whether my hands could physically put the tyre back on. I knew that if I was to tell my gran that my new ETA would be after 9 her stress levels would go through the roof! I was a cold and wet and tired and it was beginning to get dark and I just wanted to get home!
I decided to go for a last resort and phoned a few people I knew in and around the area who wouldn’t mind coming to rescue a wet demoralised and beaten cyclist. I was just 19 miles away I wanted to complete it, but I gave in knowing my hands couldn’t do it! I admitted defeat and ended up interrupting Rich and his friend Joe at the pub who came to rescue me! THANK YOU!
Lessons = More gloves (waterproof), garmin is faster than maps, tell grandparents you’re getting the train to save their stress and cycling long distances if more fun with friends!!!
Having personally been in the pub when we had the call that Katie needed to be rescued I admire her trying something quite so brave!
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