Sportive ( not a race! )
Taking things at your own pace!
Why did I sign up?!
Acknowledging that I haven't had my bike for very long and that my furthest ride had been just shy of 13 miles I figured it would be a good idea to give myself a challenge!
This genetic condition of mine physically affects my legs, but it also has a bad habit of trying to sneak up on me mentally. I get a tad frustrated with not being able to do things like I used to, stuff takes longer to get done and some things are falling into the 'can't manage that anymore' category. I often have to have a word with myself to not waste the 'leg time' I have left just feeling sorry for myself! It's happening, there's nothing I can do to change it, so I need to make the most of it.
One thing I had enjoyed in the past was doing the charity events like the pretty muddy run or the bubble rush. I wasn't super fast at them but I loved the feel of the day and taking part in something that helped a worthwhile cause. This sportive was for Cornwall Hospice Care, and whilst I'd raised a bit of money to help them, being able to take part in an event again was going to be really helpful for me.
Instant motivation!!!
Sportives are a great motivator. Pick one you like the look of, enter it and – BOOM – you have a goal and focus to go riding.
They can also push you to go further than you might normally ride; a lot of riders take on longer distances on the day than they’d ever do normally.
How did it go?
Imagine going to a party in fancy dress, only to arrive and find you're the only one in fancy dress...
well it wasn't quite like that, but it's fair to say I did feel nervously odd getting the bike out the van and riding down to the event village. I LOVE my bike and am very fortunate to have it, but at this point in time I felt very noticeable, not quite vulnerable, but just doubting myself for a bit. It seriously didn't help when the bike just decided to cut out on me and not move. A part of me wanted to get ride buddy husband to just take me home, like I had no place here! We both checked over the bike and couldn't work out what had gone wrong, decided to get it up to the registration desk and check it out there. Thank Tech for google!!!! It gave us a few things to do and it seemed to work. There's nothing quite like setting off onto a busy road knowing that it might just quit on you! I think it decided to behave as a reward for me not giving in.
As we set off I noticed the looks from spectators, the little encouraging comments, people shouting my number and cheering a bit. I had completely wrong tyres, on a wide bike on a busy road on a particularly hot day. I also had my husband there by my side (well, just behind me!) the coolest bike there, and no pressure to finish.
Hills, heat and hell up!
After remembering to smile as we went past the camera I was beginning to feel pretty pleased with myself. Then onto a feeling of 'why the heck did you sign up for this?!' and next was 'woah look at the views!' There were lots of hills and bits that looked flat but weren't, but all in all it was a lovely ride up until the bike gave out.
We had got this far and were about 5 miles from the finish, I was feeling like I might actually be able to make it, Alex had been supporting me all this time and as i'd got up a particularly steep hill ( using the electric assist that I've mentioned before! ) I waited for Alex to come around the corner. Handbike 1 mtb 0 is the usual smugness reserved for the top of the hill. I wasn't smug. Alex's bike had given out and he'd cut his leg. Being the super resilient guy that he is he decided he'd just push his bike to the finish and cruise it downhill where possible. THERE WERE FIVE MORE MILES!!!!! He told me to go for it, I didn't want to go it alone because roads are damn scary when you're cycling, especially on a handbike! I figured he'd catch me up soon enough as I'd probably run out of steam, but somehow I didn't. I managed to get myself pretty much all the way before feeling like my arms were done in, but then I saw the 1 mile to go sign and thought lets have it! Screw you crap legs and screw you doubtful mind I'm here for a personal victory. I got myself a shiny medal and sat to cheer my husband over the finish line too!
Lots of people said they were inspired by me on my bike, I'd say the same about the other amazing handcyclists out there. It's not just a bike ride, it's mental health, physical health and it's inclusion.
