Cycling Reports

WINTER; A TIME FOR DISTRACTIONS AND ATTRACTIONS: 

The preparation and training carried out in the winter is the foundation upon which the success of your season depends, or so the story goes. But winter time has it’s distractions. Long, dark nights and cold days are more conducive to staying in bed or going out partying than getting up early and going for a four hour training  spin.

After putting in a hard season of training and racing, dieting and resting, most cyclists just want to blow out the cobwebs and let it rip for a while at this time of year. Alcohol, fatty foods, late nights and partying can all be distractions for many, a way to blow off steam. For others, distractions come in a different form………… GIRLS !

Some girls (or maybe boys if you’re a female cyclist, or indeed just that way inclined) can be good for your cycling career. They can support you, give you self-confidence and come and watch you race.  They’ll tell you that you rode brilliantly, even if you get dropped in the neutralised section.

Some girls can be bad for your cycling. They want you to bring them out every night, buy them drinks, eat chips and other non-cycling foods and may even want you to give up your sport altogether to spend more time with them. Beware !

Three days ago, I met a beautiful girl and I can’t decide if she is good for me, or bad for me. She is tall and dark and has piercing eyes. Her name is Aoife. It’s very rare for you to meet someone whom you know, instantly, is going to change your life forever. I’ve only known Aoife a few days now, but I think she is already having that effect on me. I spoke to her for a while yesterday, about anything and everything. She is a good listener.

I spoke to her about my cycling. She didn’t say much. She’s not really into sport in a big way, but I know she will change the way I race, the way I train and even how I spend my spare time. I was thinking about persuading her to take up cycling, maybe join my club. Then we could train together. That way, I could spend more time with her and get a bit fitter. When I mentioned it, she just yawned, said nothing, so maybe that’s that idea out the window.

Things are moving pretty fast with Aoife and me. I’ve already met her mother. (I know now where she gets her good looks from). There is already talk of her moving in with me, as early as next weekend. But the Hamper Race is on next weekend. I won’t be able to go, I don’t really mind. I haven’t looked at my bike since I met her. I don’t even miss it. Am I mad? Probably. Am I in love? Definitely. Is she going to be good or bad for me? Probably a bit of both, more good than bad, I hope.

Oh well, there goes another comeback down the Swanny. Maybe I can get her to come training with me just once. I’d say she would make a good climber – with a bit of training. Aoife has the same characteristics as some of the great climbers such as Pantani, Garzelli, Van Impe and Millar. She is small and light. She is 44 centimetres tall and weighs 9lbs 5 ounces. Aoife is my daughter. She was born on Tuesday.  

<Thanks to All>