so it's now just three weeks to the start of RAB and this morning the Bigfoot CC RAB riders gathered along with many other riders of all levels outside Hayes village hall at about 8:15 to follow the route planned by Hugh http://www.bigfootbikeclub.org/index.php?module=phpwsbb&PHPWSBB_MAN_OP=view&PHPWS_MAN_ITEMS=3922 called the Foal Farm Romp! We were six in number and a little after 8:30 we set off on the 50 mile ride that would take us through some wonderful countryside and along some amazing scenic routes. But I am jumping ahead so let me get back to the start.My preparation this morning was as usual with porridge and tea followed by a large glass of water. The bottles were filled with ribena and zero tablet and with that was a banana and two nak'd bars. I left a few minutes behind my planned time as I decided that tyre pressure particularly the front seemed low and needed a pump. Nonetheless I was soon descending Summer Hill and all the practice of descents is certainly improving confidence down this zig zag and then maintaining momentum and cadence up to the roundabout.We waited for Viv but concluded she was not joining us so headed out following the level 3 route but at our Easy pace, we soon came across some other groups as we warmed up and worked together this unexpectedly included the level 3s who were fixing the first puncture of the day. Later they came past us when we stopped for our first puncture although we did overtake them subsequently but that was the last time we saw them as it appeared that they might have shortened the route to head home without stopping from a look at a Strava upload from one of their number.as the day wore on the temperature rose and the stop for coffee was much appreciated at an amazing garden centre and cafe called the Dene although the ladies who served us found us hard to cope with in terms of ordering and payment. What followed there was an amazing climb that Hugh had included and he asked me to lead the group up at a even pace. The climb was 8% apparently and I kept the speed down and everyone stayed together until we reached the top where we looped around and descended. We then returned to the main road and soon after we were again climbing a similar gradient. After that the run back home took us through to Biggin Hill and then onto Foal Farm where we briefly stopped to hear about the work they do. Another puncture held up our final return into Hayes but soon enough we arrived and I set off straight for home and took the chance to test my legs on Summer Hill and have improved on my time despite it being at the end of a four hour ride.Tomorrow is the final day of the 3x3 ride series and it marks the conclusion of the training phase for RAB. It's a strange feeling as I will feel ready and yet know there is still some maintenance to be done to finally arrive in Cornwall. At present the legs are tired and depleted each ride stresses the fibres and they ache and complain. On the rides we discuss heart rates and lactic acid and the recovery process. I have continued to ride the climbs seated and stayed just below the level of pain that requires you to stand on the pedals to reach the summit. Only once did I misjudge the gradient and have to stand as slipping the gears down to something manageable was too late by that point. Otherwise I rode at an easy pace and did not feel too tired by the end. However it was noticeable how the heat drains me as today was the first time since back in May when I rode to Whitstable and back has it been so hot. my feeling of tiredness makes me want this to be all over now but I know that tomorrow morning I will be back on the bike and have 75+ miles to ride to bring me back home. I am sure that despite it all the inner child in me will ask whether this can all be over soon and if just maybe we can go for a run for a change! Are we there yet?
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