Sunday 7th June the Norwich 50/100

Chuck & I were signed up for the Norwich 100. Maile for the 50 (riding with a friend from our village, Anita). Tragedy struck at Anita's BBQ the night before. Chuck tearing his leg muscle (badly) in game of back garden volleyball! No one, saw that one comming. Much tea and sympathy all round as it looks nasty enough to keep him off the bike for a while. Sunday morning Maile & I left early to keep the Pork & Lycra banner flying, Chuck stayed in bed, and spent the day building Lego creations with Ted. Given the appaling weather he might have made the smart choice.

Cold, rainy and windy doesn't really seem an adequate description. Nevertheless, Maile stormed round the 50 with no issues on her first organised ride. I completed the 100 in about 6hrs 30min. More pain being caused by being frozen & wet than tired, especially on the coastal section.

The event had a good spread of cycle types, especially on the 50: Tandems, recumbants, folders, MTBs, ladies with baskets and even a man with something that looked suspiciously like a Chopper! There seemed to be lots of punctures about. We, however, were blessed by the god of inner tubes. I'd like to say thank you to the mystery band of 6 or so efficient looking club riders who were charging into the wind & rain on the horrid Cromer section. Hid behind them for most of the coastal run. Would have sportingly done my time at the front, but I couldn't possibly have held the pace.

Best overheard comment "I blame Labour for the weather".

In conclusion. It was fun, especially retrospectively. It would be a really nice ride with decent weather, you could even stop for an ice cream and go for a paddle! Hope to try again next year with the full Pork & Lycra team.

Mark

Mark Turns 40

Many well wishes to Mark on recently getting over the hill. Yes, he's in the 40 and over club now. No better way to celebrate than to go for a long blast on the bikes. Myself (far right in pic) and Mark's friend Ashley (far left in pic) made a surprise visit to Mark's home in Hilgay, Norfolk.

After a good night of food, fun and drink we woke the following morning with intent to cycle to the coast (about 80 km). Before we set off, I had a play on Mark's commuting bike, a folding Dahon. Mark calls it the "clown bike". After riding it, I can see why! All it needs are some clipless pedals and tri bars. Strangely enough, people do race them!

We set off from a very windy Hilgay, Norfolk heading to the coastal town of Wells next the Sea. The wind was very strong but mercifully it was coming straight at our backs giving us a nice gentle nudge. There is nothing like a strong tail wind to give you the allusion of being an awesome cyclist. It's only when you turn around and head back into it that you realise that you actually suck.

We made a very good pace on the mostly flat landscape passing Oxburgh Hall and RAF Marham. We also stopped for a break at Castle Acre for tea and cakes. The riding was mostly easy with the exception of an off road section which resulted in us getting a bit muddy. Since we were moving so well, we also managed to stop for a pint and some grub before completing the final leg to Wells. Once in Wells, we had a quick play on the beach before heading back to Hilgay.

Chuck