You just know this shut is gonna be good
Greetings Ramblers.
(Hannah says “yal the best book for the road” Causing great confusion; alas she was merely reading something in Dutch as was not at all focused on the task at hand but we are now attentive and ready to contribute)
Just to spice things up a bit, we will take you through what will undoubtedly be yet another entertaining report of our week’s shenanigans, although this time we shall time warp and do it in reverse.
Yesterday our lives split once more. Ashleigh took herself off to Doetinchem, which is found very close to the border of Germany. A chance to time trial against some UCI names was worth much more than the 2 hours to get there and the trip proved a success. The weather was beautiful, the scenery was pristine and the atmosphere was like a carnival. Cafe tables lined the cobbled streets at the start and finish of the course, and convoys made continuous circulations, exciting the crowd. A 7th place was enough to keep a smile on the dial for the lonely commute home. But you should have seen the bike! A disc and an 808 from the Ruiter Dakkapellen team made the Scott Plasma beautiful beyond description. Particularly when adorned with race mix and double shot coffee. Bring it! Hannah decided a good idea would be a local criterium instead of a distant time trial. In her own words, “it did not go well.. dunno ae”. . The evening was then filled by the lovely neighbours who, after walking their dog invited us for tea
Saturday was a bit breezy, although a little quieter than previous days. In anticipation of the following day we went out for just one lone TT effort (Hannah had yet to decide she was riding the crit) concluding in an essentials trip to the supermarket. We also had the pleasure of introducing a nearly 80 year old lady to the joys of video calling, and essentially lost possession of my phone until sufficient data was used to deplete my credit completely. But at least you had a nice chat with your mummy, ae Coach. Hannah did an emergency phone card run, and returned with pancake ingredients and her finest culinary skills. Lunch was delicious.
As was dinner on Friday evening. The ‘8’ wind speed of the day seemed to stimulate enormous appetites. We got to ride all the way into Alkmaar, since Ashleigh had left her helmet behind after Wednesdays race, 20km of block Holland head wind, the 20 min return trip was significantly more pleasurable then the hour and a half there. That, and a few TT efforts and we were finished with being in the wind for the day. The evening was spent consuming cookies, tea and reading paperbacks. Thursday was thoroughly uneventful; a brief trip to the market, and a recovery ride was about all worth noting.
Wednesday was race day for Ashleigh, featuring in the attractive purple of the Ruiter kit. WAHOO! A 132k course, in the gentle slopes of the south. Ashleigh had a great day, finding herself at, on and off the front in the first 90ks. Something has clicked and she is a very happy camper for it. The weather was abysmal though, with the mud and dirt off the road leaving tattoo sock and glove lines that took several showers to remove. It even managed to find its way through race jerseys and base layers. It was enough to make Ashleigh sort it out and deal with the communal nakedness of the kleedkamers.
Tuesday was race preparation day, bike cleaning and the like. Ashleigh got to stay at the club rooms all aloney on her owney since the Team was leaving at 6.45am and she most certainly was not going to ride 20km before that time, bags and all! Luckily she had an escort to help carry all her gear in the form of Hanny; who incidentally clocked up 60kms from commuting alone. And that will bring us back to a wet and cold Monday. We fulfilled the training requirements of the day with the assistance of the trainer and a chair sturdy enough for box jumps. Some Skype dates and assignment progress completed the day.
That was our week. We hope you are all smiling and ka pai!
Ashleigh and Hannah
