You featured in one of our conversations on Sunday’s ride. We were saying how fit you are and how busy you keep yourself. Calum said that he couldn’t keep up with you and longers on the hills on the mini North-West Passage; I couldn’t keep up with Calum!

It was a pity that you were stuck indoors on Sunday, but you certainly make the most of what time you do have to ‘play’ outdoors!

Yes, it was definitely the most enjoyable ride of the year so far.

Of course I’ve enjoyed other rides too, but there has always been bad weather, backache, lack of fitness, or something else to stop me getting the most from my time on the bike. On Sunday, I felt that everything was right. Apart from a few comments shouted from passing cars (we didn’t catch what was said) we didn’t even encounter any stupid/dangerous drivers either!

Hmm, thinking about it – I didn’t suffer from my usual cyclist’s backache… It could be because I was on a lighter bike and am lighter myself than I was earlier in the year. That probably amounted to a total of about 18 pounds less to drag up the hills. Another possibility is that the higher climbing gear on the Cannondale forces me to adopt a more ‘muscular’ style of riding. I’m bent over the bars more and using more upper body strength. I can tell when I get home by how tired my arms are from pulling on the bars. Whatever it was, it helped my back, but my legs felt more tired than they would have done riding the Basso. Mind you, I wouldn’t have been trying to sprint up any hills on that!

I’m going to suggest a ride for the weekend coming. PaulB wants to do something and I’m free. If you are up for another CycleChat ride, check the forum this evening.