Been on a course this morning with BC and was given a fab opportunity to join the staff velodrome session. Had to be there for 7.50am, which was a massive achievement in itself and get on the track for 8am. I grabbed my shoes and quickly filled myself with lucozade, whilst eagerly eyeing up the competition (and talent, ahem). As I entered the D, I noticed my course tutor and other members waiting patiently for instruction, everyone had ridden the track at some point, but I haven't done my accreditation....so in true Grayson style decided I wouldn't miss out on the party and would get stuck in. I suppose I was really nervous, but especially so when I saw a guy in full GB kit and smurf helmet flying round on a tt bike. He appeared to be going faster than light and my eyes couldn't keep up with him. I was so impressed that I stood agog, unable to concentrate on the coaches briefing and entered the Cote D'Azure (I think this it said beautifully in a broad Manc accent) totally clueless.
The next hour seemed to go in a blur and a blind panic. Why did I spend ages looking at man in GB kit? Why did I not tell the coach that I hadn't done much track riding? If I were to fall off, I would quite possibly take half of British Cycling with me and how would I live it down? I would be remembered as the one that didn't make it through, the one that did not pass go. I saw Bikeability as my future, for ever and ever and ever. Standing in the rain, in Colne, wet, debraggled and miserable. With this in mind, I decided to dig deep and focus. Different backsides came and went. My legs went round and round. I rode on the black. On the red. On the blue. On the top. Back down, back up, back up, back down and down and up a few times more, in pairs, square dancing, knitting, lumps and bumps, stacking...the works. I stayed with the group, didn't drop off the back (ATW or lucozade is obviously doing me some good) and at 8.55am, I finally looked up for the first time and totally relaxed. I rode one more lap and then up came the board - 4 laps, 3 laps, 3 laps, 1 lap and back to Cowte Du Azyouwere.
LOVED IT - booked on again next week!
Oy Grayson, you trackie!
ReplyDeleteSounds like great fun. Well done for not doing my trick and sliding down the banking after trying to stifle a sneeze and locking-up in the process. Just burns for me, no Awang splinters thankfully.
Well done for getting stuck in, we'll make a trackie of you yet.
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