Conflicting diaries meant the team spent this week training in different countries; Wales, England and Poland, although the latter wasn't exactly cycling training, more "life training" (for further details on the hospitality of the Polish law enforcement, please contact Michael Johnson).
Whilst some were racing round the Berkshire countryside at a blistering pace similar to those on this year's Tour de France, others decided to cycle through the rolling Welsh Valleys and experiment with using a GPS device.
Now, the cycling purists amongst us will dismiss the use of new technology and advocate the use of traditional maps. However, after a few miles of putting their faith in their new handlebar mounted friend, Pete and Jim were delighted to be smoothly guided through the winding welsh lanes. Laughs could be heard at the need for using traditional maps with cries of, "Who needs maps?", "Get with the times!", "Embrace technology!". Then it all went wrong. A glitch in the matrix. Their trusted new friend stopped giving directions, the route disappeared from the GPS screen and satellite connection was lost. Pete and Jim were lost. Their new electronic friend had deserted them. It got worse. The heavens opened and it poured with rain (at least the boys had their rain jackets with them, not). Pete and Jim were soaked to the bone and stranded in Ystrad Mynach, with no directions. They decided to cut their journey short and take the quickest route back home - unfortunately this route took them over a mountain, Caerphilly Mountain!
Valuable lessons learnt this week:
· Always have a back up map (GPS devices work brilliantly in clear fine weather...not when it is cloudy and raining).
· Rain proof shoe covers are a must (putting wet shoes on the next day is not enjoyable).
· Brakes don't work in the rain (stopping distances increase massively).
· Hills are easy, mountains are much harder (particularly in the rain).
On a positive note, Pete suffered his first puncture and now knows how to change a tyre, hopefully next time he can change it in under an hour(!).
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