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