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Sean's First Clubrun
By Sean Hogan
Where do I begin?
Within the space of 8 days I'd cycled
almost 80 miles! I came along first of all for the 'Just4Fun' ride at the
start of the month and came away with the feeling that I'd made the right
choice clubwise as well as route wise.
The pace was gentle enough and both rider
and ride came through it in one piece. For my first time I was ably
assisted by VC Tim and by Dan. There were many others I met whose names
faded as quickly as I was told them. To all of you thanks for the warm
welcome. The benefit of not knowing the route is that you don't have that
sense of expectation or dread depending on what part of the route lies
ahead. Each corner promised something new and I really enjoyed it.
The test in all this was of course was
whether I'd come back the following week?
I did! Now, the pace was to be upped somewhat for a beginner such as
myself. Tim's group set out at a blistering 15 av mph (no sniggering at
the back!) and soon I was found wanting.
As I am still learning to get the hand of
the gears a couple of times I fell behind and was totally unable to regain
lost time. I was left behind a couple of times, but further up the road
the group had stopped, so I was able to catch up. That said, nothing hits
home harder than seeing the group you were with one moment slipping over
the hill the next. It fires you up to get back with the group like nothing
else, if only the legs were able to realise this! A few more runs though
should improve my style and overall stamina.
Overall impression after two runs? A good
group of people who help out those in need. A great cafe in Charlwood
where never has a bacon sarnie tasted so sweet and wonderful cups of
tea.
Very agreeable indeed.
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