Never too old or young

After injuring my knee whist skiing as part of my rehabilitation I started using my road bike more to strengthen it.  As  I haven’t got a very good sense of direction I was limited to where I could go or I was limited to weekends only when Malcolm could take me.  Malcolm then suggested I go out with ‘the geriatrics’ on a Wednesday which I was able to do because I am flexible in my work. 

Malcolm came with me the first time out with the geriatrics, I wasn’t sure if it was a bit of a closed group and they may not have wanted any ‘girlies’ holding them up.  The ride was fairly flat and about 60 miles, the guys were pleasant to me and encouraged me to join them again and said it would be okay for me to bring a friend.  The following week I took Cheryl with me, like me she enjoys keeping fit and being active.  Jim Sampson made us feel welcome and most of the guys appeared okay about us being there and some didn’t say much to us. 

That was over two years ago and Cheryl and I still go out with the geriatrics every Wednesday (weather permitting).  We have a great time, we haven’t just learnt a lot about cycling, what we don’t know about prostrates, hearing aids and spectacles is nobody’s business.  There is plenty of happy banter between all of us and Cheryl and I get some stick from them but they get just as much back!

In our first few months of riding with the ‘older’ guys we were always at the back playing catch up and it was hard.  Over the months we became stronger, still hanging around the back but that was mainly due to confidence about riding in a group.  Cheryl and I were always last in the dinner queue too, that’s the only time the guys aren’t very gentlemen like, no such thing as ladies first there! Apart from Don Wilkinson of course,  he is a gentleman all the time.  Now we ride anywhere in the group, we know how most of them ride and whose wheel to take (see I know the jargon too).  Yes, sometimes one or two lose their concentration and can wander but Cheryl and I try and keep aware and make allowances just like they probably make allowances for us sometimes as we are novices compared to these guys.

The beauty of riding with the geriatrics is that they know lots of routes so the rides vary each week.  A ride can be anything between 60 – 100 miles long and with varying terrain They take us to the best diners:-  transport cafe’s, garden centres, golf clubs and stately homes where we usually manage to get our compulsory beans on toast.  .  Unusually, we seem to be blessed by the weather, don’t want to say too much and tempt fate on that.

Another advantage being with these guys is when there is a technical problem with our bikes, Cheryl and I can just stand back and admire their mechanical knowledge and skills.  Last week I was very proud to show off my new pump which is designed to attach neatly to my Cervelo frame, the problem is I will probably never get to use it, I have never mended a puncture yet!  

I could go on and on about how much we enjoy our Wednesdays and how well we are looked after.  It is amazing how these guys ride considering they are aged between 60 and 83 (don’t worry I won’t name names).  Cheryl and I love being geriatrics (just for Wednesdays though) and want to take this opportunity to say thank you to you all.

Marie Daddy (Not quite 50 yrs)