Heart and lung transplant; please!

Click…..Click. The cogs make the reassuring noise as I command them to change down. Now, all I need to do is take command of my breathing and keep my mind focused, just on the immediate road ahead and not how much further it is to the top.1

My legs are beginning to complain as the gradient increase’s; lactic build up in the muscles. (I’m sure it wasn’t this hard in training last week and who ordered the wind!) 2

Push…..Push and keep the cadence even. Breathe deep and regular, in through the nose hold it and then exhale through your mouth. That’s the way you’ve trained, keep the discipline; concentrate.3

‘Is it possible to breath through your arse? Because I’m feeling knackered and I could do with the boost!’ 4

With heart pumping and legs threatening to disown the rest of my body I cross the finish line; to the applause of my fellow club riders and marshal’s of the cycle club I belong to. 5

Today is the hill climbing event, one of the annual trophies that we contest amongst ourselves. 6

Why? I ask myself several times over, when I am about only half way up the hill. Why am I doing this? When I could be at home, warm in bed on this blustery Sunday morning; instead of pitting my body and machine against this hill and that wind that I’m pretty sure has been especially ordered for somebody's amusement. 7

Give me a 100 mile sportive any day! Now that’s what I enjoy. 8

Sportive riding; many riders of various standards and shapes clad in Lycra; (Don’t linger on that potentially horrible sight, too long!) Following a pre-ordained and sign posted route, through the English country side and up and down undulating terrain. These are usually, well organised events with regular welfare stops at reasonable distances. They can take up to four or five hours to complete; weather and terrain depending. 9

Whilst riding these events, I find nothing better, than dropping in on group of riders who are slightly better than me and getting towed along by the pace they set.10

At forty something years of age and slightly in excess of 100 kgs, I have recently said goodbye to my marathon running days. I was starting to slip past the 4.5 hours marker. I still turn out for my local ½ marathon each year. I find cycling is kinder to my body and it still enables me to keep some sort of shape and mentally challenges me as today has coming up this bloody hill. 11

You can bet your bottom dollar, no matter how much I might bitch and curse on the way up today; I will still be back for the next one. I just got to show the youngsters that; ‘Us over the hill old boys!’ can still cut the mustard. It may take more effort and take more out of us, but we get there…..eventually!12

Now for the decent…….Yheeeee….Haaaaa!!!!! 13