KW - Almost Pilgrims Way

From the moment I jumped on the bike I knew I was tired and I was heading for a hard day. Riding with the Saturday gang when you are tired is like riding surrounded by wasps that move around you with agility and speed and that, from time to time, merciless sting you. I was there or thereabouts in the first hills but it was the ramps what made it hard. Short, steep, everyone out of the saddle. I felt stung again and again. As you would expect of me I wasn’t seen in the front. I always tried to have at least two riders in front of me. Being very conscious of where I was situated. Bidders is bigger than Peter, Dai bigger than Chris. Let JFW be behind Peter and Chris, put yourself behind Bidders and Dai. Of course my riding mates noticed my game and made sure they mentioned it at the coffee stop. Maybe hoping I’d feel ashamed. No chance. Yes, I sat at the front for about 1km after the coffee stop, probably influenced by the latte I had, but that was it. Back to the middle of the group. Juniper, the last climb of the day, created a few interesting situations. At the bottom of the climb GC Denis and Chris got a gap. I was behind Bidders, JFW and Dai wondering what they were doing allowing such a big gap to open. Luckily for me I saw Dai starting to accelerate so I jumped on his wheel. That was hard work but it paid off. Soon enough we were behind Chris and GC Denis. Dai was on fire because it didn’t take him long to pass both Chris and GC Denis. I saw GC Denis following Dai and I followed him. I think Chris dropped at that point. I kept looking back. I knew Bidders would be steadily closing the gap and I wanted to make sure I was aware when he was approaching. It didn’t take long to sense him on my wheel. Not a good situation for me. Dai flicked his elbow, GC Denis moved to the front, I stayed on his wheel, Bidders on my and Dai dropped at the back. Even worse situation for me. GC Denis almost dropped me at the steep bit but he eased a bit at the descent and I caught with him, Bidders on my wheel, Dai on Bidders wheel. That didn’t last long. GC Denis opened a gap. I could, potentially, accelerate and close it but I knew if I tried that would be the end of it. I only had one bullet. The gap grew bigger and I was starting to fade. I was taking too much air in my face. Nightmare situation for me. Bidders might have thought I was hopeless so he decided to pass me. Dai on his wheel. I jumped on Dai’s wheel and managed to stay there while Bidders was closing the gap to GC Denis. Dream scenario for me now. At the back of the quartet, very close to the final ramp, one match to burn. Bidders started to pass GC Denis. Dai on his wheel. Me following Dai. Bidders opened a gap. Dai flicked his elbow. That was the moment of truth and I went for it. Not very successfully though. The gap didn’t shrink. If anything it grew a little bit bigger. The joys of going against Bidders. I still claim I took the KOM. Yes, Bidders was soft pedalling for some seconds but I did a second mini-sprint and I crossed the line at the top first. Take that those of you that were saying I’m never at the front. Of course you don’t want to know how I managed to get third, behind Bidders and Dai at the Horton sprint. You only care about the really interesting parts of the ride.

The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/13823622797

Take care of yourself

Javier Arias González