Wearing the seat in.

With Laura and George in the States I've had a chance to get some decent miles under the wheels. Since I changed those last week too courtesy of Mr Cycle, I was keen to see how they would run. My old set had been on the bike for at least 10 years and I didn't fancy wearing our a set of rims half way down a long Cornish hill!

(Mr Cycle recently set up by my friend Andrew Morris, is based in Wymondham. A mobile cycle repair outfit contactable through 01953 601851 or http://www.mrcycle.co.uk/ kindly sponsored my trip to the tune of new wheels, drinking bottles and a set of tyres for which I am extremely grateful.)

So at the beginning of the week I set out for Norwich where I had an appointment with a photographer at the Evening News. SInce I wasn't due to meet him until 09:30, I set off early and wound my way around the country lanes south of the city, so that I had already completed 17 miles before I arrived in town. From the city centre I headed out on the Aylesham road, following the route taken by the Bike Events Norwich 100 that takes place each June. Well worth it, if you have the time.

At the boundary road junction, the road splits. Taking the left fork I headed for Reepham and a rather nice little coffee shop that I'd come across last time I was on standby in an ambulance. On the corner of station road in Reepham, it proved the ideal place to take a short break after battling into a head wind for 20 miles.

From Reepham I ventured north west toward the villages of Hindolveston and Fulmodeston from where I was extremely glad to change course, bringing the breeze onto the beam. There are two things I've discovered that I'm not a great fan off. A head wind and a bumpy road. One or the other is inconvenient, but somehow together they break your spirit. I'm guessing that if you add rain to that couplet, it's time to find out what you're really made of.

Closing in on the outskirts of Fakenham I was relieved to find the village of Great Ryburgh deserted. Studying the map on my handlebar bag, I'm not sure what made me look up, but it's good thing I did. Parked no more than 2 metres infront of me was a tipup lorry!! The front wheel of the bike disappeared under the back of the lorry and I screached to a standstill with an inch to spare. Leaning weakly against the back of the lorry I promised myself never to do that again.

From Great Ryburgh despite heading in a more westerly and then southerly direction, the wind seemed crazily to follow me round! That's fine if the same were true for a tail wind, but I can't see it happening.

In Dereham I dropped into the ambulance station to grab a cuppa and to chew the fat for 10 minutes with the standby crew, but since I too had to be at work in less that 2 hours, I still ahd some cycling to do. Setting off again, but with the wind well and truly to the rear, I made good time and completing 80 miles in something just shading 6 1/2 hours.