View from the Back

I don’t really have a daily routine. However, weather permitting, and it usually does, I like to cycle most days. While, Monday is generally dedicated to administrative chores and Friday is reserved for housework, this is not a hard and fast rule. How far, when and where I cycle depends on the time of year, the Training Plan, the weather, but largely how I feel. 

There are days when I feel as if I can cycle for ever and days when I just want to get back home as quickly as possible. I’m generally undecided as to which is the case for the first 10-15 kilometres, thereafter I’ll determine how far and where. Even though it’s not my forte, I really enjoy climbing. It makes those descents so much more pleasurable. Actually, I find too much riding on the flat really boring particularly as it’s often (or should that be nearly always)  into a headwind. So the choice is normally either a rolling or hilly parcours. 

Of course, there are times when I need to get back for a phone call, meeting, delivery, pick my husband up from the airport or other such arrangement. When I don’t have too much time available, I’ll ride one of my shorter circuits, as fast as possible. The key, at least for me, is variety. I also have to be realistic. A long, tough ride needs to be followed by either a rest day or a gentle recovery ride. 

Generally, I prefer to ride on my own. This is really for quite selfish reasons. It means I can go out when and where I want. However, once out on the road, if I do meet someone going the same way, and at roughly a similar speed, we might well cycle together. However, I am not a chatty cycling companion. Yes, I know that off the bike I can talk the hind leg off a donkey, but, on the bike, I need my oxygen for cycling, not talking. I also use my cycling time for thinking maybe about a work related project, maybe for nothing more than how much I’m enjoying the ride and the scenery. 

All rides, whatever their length and purpose, are noted down in the training log, mainly for comparison. The key question is always “am I improving?” While I have spells of “two steps forward, one back” the progression is generally linear: onwards and upwards.

Sunday was the final day of our vacation and it was still raining, or should I say pouring. Undeterred by the climatic conditions, we have however had a most enjoyable vacation. Most days we have waited for a lull in the precipitation before venturing forth on our bikes, muffled up like Michelin men in rain jackets, leg and arm warmers. It’s warmed up as the week has progressed, although the surrounding mountains still have a dusting of snow.

During the week, we have ascended and descended all the surrounding hills, several times, most of which are an average 10% gradient.  I foolishly made the mistake of buying my husband a book on rides in the surrounding area enabling him to seek out highest climbs. However, we have also ridden along the valley visiting some of the villages perched part-way up the hills.

 Now, we’ve seen plenty of cyclists out and about in the valley but, surprisingly, have not passed any, or indeed been passed by any on the climbs. Slogging back up one of these from the valley on Thursday, I was delighted when it levelled out at 7%. Yes, I know I can’t believe I even entertained that thought, but I did. Of course, it’s been great training as most of the climbs near us are only 7% average gradient.

I have a routine when cycling with my husband. I always carry the cash, the mobile and the keys. I reckon that the combination acts as a powerful disincentive for my husband to misplace me. Equally, I don’t trust him not to lose any one of them should I be foolish enough to entrust him with them. History greatly supports my fears. 

Nonetheless, my husband managed to lose me on Friday in nearby Mittenwald. I searched all over for him, without success and as soon as the heavens opened (once again) I headed back. It was cold and wet and, having climbed back up to the valley, I time-trialled home while passing cars regarded me with considerable disbelief.  My husband trailled in over an hour later looking (or so I like to think), a bit sheepish.

I am of course questioning why on earth did we decide to have a cycling holiday in Austria? Why did we not stay at home and enjoy the warm, sunny weather so ideal for cycling? The answer is my husband. If he takes vacation and stays at home he keep straying into the office to answer a few emails or answer the phone and several hours later he’s still in there. From time to time, I need to ensure that he has a complete break. Conversely, my holiday starts when he heads off on a business trip. Roll on Monday!

We’re on holiday this week, cycling in Austria. We drove up yesterday, leaving behind the sunshine and warm temperatures, for leaden skies and temperatures a full 23 degrees lower! This morning we awoke to find it was raining: not too steady a downpour, more of a constant, cold drizzle. Undeterred, we went cycling and immediately discovered that we had left one vital piece of clothing at home: our leg warmers. We had all of our wet weather gear but hadn’t foreseen that it would be sooooooooo cold.

In order to keep warm we indulged in some uphill, interval training, perfect on the rolling terrain and it kept our legs less cold. The outlook is not good for the next few days and we can expect further showers but after riding in the freezing, pouring rain in the Pyrenees, a bit of rain is not going to put us off enjoying our vacation.  We have spent many happy holidays, both winter and summer, in the area. I recall one summer vacation when, after six continuous weeks of almost heat wave like conditions, we spent a very wet week walking in the surrounding hills, wild-water rafting and canyoning. Of course, I may need a few (more) glasses of Jaeger Tee or Gluehwein to warm me up post-ride.  

This is however the first time I have cycled in the area and what I previously assumed to be steep climbs are in fact rolling hills which one can easily power up. We’ve mapped out our rides for the following days and are looking forward to spending significant time in the saddle and putting plenty of kilometres on the clock. Already my hay fever symptoms have disappeared and my breathing is almost back to normal.

Does this have my name on it?

This should also help in my fight against the surplus kilos always assuming I manage to steer well clear of all those delicious Austrian desserts