Chapter 22 - An unfortunate incident with a banana, Glasto and cycling

Summer 2016 these legs did me proud .....

I must confess I had signed up to 2 triathlons this year, and I attended neither.  Because other things came up, cycling things, and I'm avoiding that open water swim thing at all costs.  So instead this is what I got up to.....

1. Velothon Wales
2. Glastonbury 2016

3. Cycling in the Summer in Mallorca

4. My first Duathlon

1. Velothon Wales 2016

Having done this last year a couple of us decided to do this again. What's not to like? 140km of closed roads across beautiful Wales. Bliss ? It takes a lot of training, and I was determined Caerphilly mountain wasn't going to get the better of me this year.  I had done a training ride before the event which was possibly much worse than the actual Velothon, but I was actually beginning to enjoy the challenge of The Tumble. Once punctures were mended and blood had been spilt! 

You need sleep before a big ride like this and this year I was sure I was going to get a good nights sleep.  Unfortunately this was not to be.  My hotel room was right opposite the taxi rank on St Mary Street.  So from about 2am in the morning I was woken on the hour every hour by beeping taxi horns. I was knackered.  The other important consideration after sleep is sufficient nutrition in the morning.  I was quite nervous, and very tired.  Everytime I took a mouthful of my kettle boiled porridge I retched. I tried not to panic because the All Day Breakfast sandwich had done the trick last year. I peeled back the wrapper smelt the sausage (not a euphenism!) and again retched ! Oh this morning was not going well. Eventually I got myself and my bike down to the start line to meet Amanda.  

Amanda and I - me looking knackered !

Stuart, Gareth, Nick and I - BEER ! 

Team SunVelo - Dave M, Me and  Speedy Lucy

Amanda and I had started in different pens - it's a Welsh sheep thing I guess.  So we had agreed to meet up. Off I went keeping a pace that I hoped would mean she would find me easily - lots of people were passing me.  This is actually quite disheartening on a sportive.  More and more people passing you.  The colour of their bibs different to your start time bib. But no sign of Amanda.  Until about 15km she came hurtling up to me and told me to get on the back of the group she had been cycling with.  They were speedy.  I pedalled as fast as I could but there was no way I could catch them. I also realised that if I continued at this pace I was going to burn out very quickly and not have enough fuel in the tank.  We agreed to quieten the pace and cycle together.  

The Tumble was fine I actually enjoyed it.  But alas yet again by the time we got to Caerphilly Mountain at 120k I didn't have enough umph to get up the bastard thing.  So for yet another year I got off and pushed my bike for a bit. Amanda cycled it - well done Doe. I will return Caerphilly mountain and get up you - you'll see.  At one fuel station as we shared a very decadent Snickers bar - thank you Nick for the recommendation it was lush! Amanda and I pondered the question "Are we actually enjoying this?" mmmmm not sure that we are. We are enduring it. "Shall we do it again next year?" mmmmm "No!!" we agreed probably not!!! But sometimes these things are a bit like childbirth - you forget the blood sweat tears and the pain, and you go on and have other children.  It's October she has just texted me "I see Velothon is in July this year" is this a coded message?.  I think she may have forgotten the pain.  We'll see.

As I cycled the last 5k into Cardiff with the crowds cheering I must confess I burst into floods of tears.  It just came over me, a sense of relief that I had done it because 140k is quite an achievement. And it was over. Thank God. Sometimes enough is enough!  

2. My next challenge was Glastonbury......

Yes I know this is a sporty type athletic blog but actually I do liken this to a sporting challenge. Not only because I was going with my 12 year old daughter but because of the mud. This wasn't just a bit of mud, this was rivers of slippery mud. Biblical measures of the brown stuff everywhere not a blade of green grass in sight. It was hardcore.  I realised pretty early on that my imaginings of my first Glastonbury, Drugs and Rock n Roll were not to be.  In fact I had 1 red wine and 2 lagers all weekend.  Because it was a case of survival.  Being able to stand up in the mud. Stay on your feet for hours at a time and then finding your way back to your tent.  No this Glastonbury experience was about falafels and smoothies.  

HELL YEAH ! 

We had a great time. One moment of me screaming at my sobbing daughter "Stop being a princess!!" when she refused to use the toilets. But we overcame this moment and went on to watch some great bands, James, ELO, ZZ Top, Adele, Tom Odell, Ellie Goulding, Band of Skulls, Muse and so many more. She even cuddled up to me on the hill as we sat and drank hot chocolate and watched Muse.  That one moment sat together made the whole weekend for me.  Because anyone who is a mum to a 12 year old going on 15 year old girl will know that those moments can be rare.  A mushy moment. We returned to our tent united. Another restless night in the tent with the ground throbbing to the music all around us. Waking up all scrunched up near the tent divider like caterpillars, the tent was pitched on a slope. But hey we were in the family area. So at least our tent pegs weren't been shaken at night by pissed people trying to find their tent.

Georgia and I

But the event was definitely an endurance event. I used the mental process I use on a big bike ride to get me through. It was an experience. And I was very glad to get back to my proper bed and a shower. Never had I appreciated my own toilet so much and not having to permanantely walk around with a toilet roll in my pocket. 

People afterwards said that there were better festivals to goto that are smaller. Less muddy. I disagree because actually there is only one Glastonbury and nothing else can match it. It was an experience and I'm glad I've had my Glastonbury moment. And I admit that like a saddo I kept that festival wristband on for days longer than I should have done. Because it was a badge of honour I had survived.

3. Cycling in Mallorca in the summer - scorchio

Mallorca in the summer is hot.  Which means if you want to enjoy your cycling you have to get up early, before the heat turns up a notch and the coaches try and kill you on the corners. It's August and  the alarm goes off at 6am. For a split second I contemplate turning it off and going back to sleep, after all I was on holiday. But I hadn't forgone that 2nd glass of Rioja last night for nothing. As the rest of the family slept I put on my cycling shorts and crept silently (as silently as possible with cycling shoes on marble floors)  for the door.

In August it is 22 degrees at 6am. So to avoid tourists in their cars and coaches and the heat its early morning or nothing. I head this morning towards Formentour Lighthouse one of the most beautiful bike rides there is. I start the 5k climb towards the car park. It's a hard slog that first bit but it's not too hot. I pass the spot where Tom Hiddleston filmed The Night Manager, disappointingly no sign of Tom today probably on a yacht with Taylor Swift!  I'm feeling pleased with myself the climb feels ok today - not like that first time 4 years ago when I was new to road cycling.

Sunrise at Formentour

As I reach the car park I am greeted by a big red rising sun over the sea between the mountains absolutely stunning. Yes it was definitely worth forgoing the Rioja and lack of sleep. I start taking photos but a big billy goat gruff starts wandering across the car park towards me. He has big curly horns. Holy Shit Catherine ! quick get back on the bike! 

Billy Bob

Formentour Lighthouse August 2016

Anyone who has cycled in Mallorca will tell you that you have to beware of the goats skittering across the road.  All part of the charm. The next bit is a wonderful descent through the mountain. I try to enjoy the descent and not think about the way back when you have to climb this same section. I can't help it - I am making a mental note of the km markers. Yes at 7km on the way back I will have done the worst of it. That is half the battle of cycling getting your head in the right place. Today I'm in a good place I am loving being back on the Mallorcan roads with the unexpected goats and the switch backs.

I am even fully ready for the dreaded tunnel. The tunnel where in the middle it goes pitch black and you can't see a thing and begin to lose all sense of balance. Weird feeling. Today I have brought my lights - miracle I can see !!! That's better I won't let that tunnel get the better of me.

There are 3 others cycling this ride ahead of me today. So the roads are our playground - well us and the goats.  And the smell of the pine needles and the sound of the sheep and their bells, and the rising sun.  I FUCKING LOVE CYCLING. I also notice that out of cycling season everyone is friendly and says hello. I think it's because we are in on the secret. There's no-one else here. We got up didn't we ? It's just us ! It's like being a kid again - weeeeeeeee ! But yes I am the only female up here. Something that makes me feel quite proud, but also disappointed.  Come on ladies you don’t know what you’re missing!

I reach the lighthouse the goat is there chasing some German tourists for their sandwiches. Some things never change. I don't stay long, I want to get back down before the traffic starts winding its way up the hill. Off I go on my merry way. This ride fills my heart with joy. I'm out there. The views. The exhilaration of the descents. The achievement of the ascents. Good to be a cyclist alive. And actually the rest of the day I have a big smile on my face.  

Compulsory Bike on Balcony Shot

Sa Calobra Mwar Har Har

The next day I did Sa Calobra I get a real kick out of that ride, it's the ride that changed me.  It was my turning point. And every time I do that ride I remember that first time.  Rather embarrassingly I never remember to get into the right gear before I start the ascent after the long descent.  And so it was that my chain fell off in front of a load of blokes.  They sniggered.  I put the chain back on, pride wounded and started the ascent towards the grumpy man that sells the fresh Orange Juice under the arches. All good fun.

4. My first Duathlon

Smashed It !

I had agreed to take someone's place in the London Duathlon.  A very capable person. A person who is good at running.  A person who told me they were looking forward to me beating their PB.  No pressure then. So it was to be a 10k Run - 44k Bike - 5k run.Taxi.

I have never ever run more than 15k in one day.  My friends Caroline and Catherine do half marathons and I think that is amazing. Hats off to those that do Half Marathons and Marathons I really have respect for you.  And I certainly haven't done a 5k run after anything more than a 20k bike ride during Sprint Triathlons so today was going to be a new challenge.  I had the usual butterflies in the morning and the whole getting my head around "what the hell am I doing? why don't I stay in bed and drink coffee instead?" I also had the person whose place I was taking texting me a screen shot of the time they did it in last year.  I deliberately didn't put my glasses on to read it.  So I put on my tri-suit and made my way to Richmond Park for the start. What would be would be.

Richmond Park

As usual at these things everyone is really friendly.  Well I guess you could call it nervous chatter. I can chatter with the best of them.  The countdown began and we were off on the first run of 10k.  I enjoyed it, mostly at the end because I couldn't wait to get onto my bike.  And because usually I'm doing a Triathlon and the first bit is the horrid open water swim. So the next bit was cycling  4 laps around Richmond Park including up Sawyers Hill.  A sharp little uppy bit.  But I know Richmond Park well so I really enjoyed the course.  Apart from Sawyers Hill.  And not because it is a sharp uppy bit.  No it was her.  That's what spoilt it.  

That annoying woman....

Anyone will tell you that at Triathlons or long distance events the crowd really do keep you motivated and can bring a smile to your face at even the toughest of points.  But not her.  No  she was really annoying.  There she was in her Lycra. Why was she wearing sports gear to spectate.  Was it to empathise with those taking part? And she was standing just at the point on Sawyers Hill where it really starts to burn.  So there she was in her Lycra shouting "Babe - you're all amazing you're doing so well"  and "Yes Yes you can do it you're all amazing".  The first lap I forgave her.  But as I approached the ascent of Sawyers Hill the second time my heart sank, she was still there shouting profanities.  I wanted to shout "Just Fuck Off Annoying Woman !" The 3rd time I glared at her and made some sarky comment to the man cycling next to me - he laughed he thought she was a pain in the arse too.  By the fourth lap I was ready to punch her.  I asked the 3 blokes who were standing near her loudly "Is she with you?". Thank god the cycle was over I couldn't bear to hear her anymore. 

The last 5k ....and an unfortunate incident with a banana

So now came the last 5k run.  Mmmmm I really wasn't looking forward to this bit.  As I racked my bike and put my running shoes back on and started to run it was as if I'd forgotten how to run.  Couldn't really get my legs to function. Very weird feeling.  I decided to just put one foot in front of the other and eventually I would get there.  The girl in front of me was stopping frequently, she evidently felt like I did. Ready to give up. I siddled up to her "You obviously feel like I do come on we only have another 3k" and so she and I spurred each other to each new kilometer marker until the 5k marker was in our sights.  We even managed a sprint finish over the red carpet.  We hugged.  We'd made it.  I was revelling in my finish, when a woman came marching up to me and uttered words no-one has ever uttered to me "Your banana fell out in front of me!!!" I looked at her bemused she was an angry woman. "Ummm I'm sorry about that" ........she carried on "So I trod on it and squashed it!!" she seemed pleased with this act of violence and turned and stomped off.  She obviously thought we were in a cartoon where the baddy throws banana skins in the path of the enemy to trip them up.  I hadn't thrown it at her deliberately it had fallen out of my back pocket, admittedly as we had overtaken her at speed. If I'd thought about it sooner I'd have willingly thrown that banana at the Lycra shouting woman on the hill ! 

I came 11th in my age group category so I'm pretty happy with that. And actually I did rather enjoy it.

What next ?

So it's now Autumn and I need to plan some new adventures. I'm going to do the 312 Mallorca Sportive in April with a couple of friends via www.sunvelo.com.  Not the 312 route you understand no lets be realistic the smaller 167km route. I might try and run 15km all in one hit. And I definitely need to invest in a Turbo trainer so I can use my bike when the winter comes.  

Who knows what the next chapter will bring ......

Adious Amigos !

Chapter 21 - 5 Go Cycling in Mallorca

In this chapter, airports, Rioja, group riding (at last!) 5 go cycling in Mallorca and going sugar free! 


It's Day 3 of going sugar free as I start writing this blog and I'm desperately trying not to think about the custard creams I really want to be eating right now.....which are haunting my every thought......anyway.

5 Go Cycling in Mallorca - Me, Sandy, Lisa, Steve and JT

Cricked necks and Swim Watches

It was April I was off on another cycling adventure.  I had survived my skiing trip, well physically anyway! Apart from a crick in my neck from swimming 2km most days in the chalets 10m pool. That's a lot of turning around and going back the other way. Not to be recommended.  I had to manually count my 200 lengths too as on Day 1 of my skiing trip I had against my better judgement got into the hot tub. Alas I had done so with my lovely new purple Swimovate watch still fastened to my wrist.  Swim watches don't like hot tubs as it turns out. Actually I do remember reading something in the very small print, Barbie sized instruction manual. I remember laughing to myself "Yeah right! Pah! when do I ever go in a hot tub!". So I will need to buy another watch at the airport my 4th this year. I really want a custard cream.

Musings from an airport - comings and goings....

Heathrow Airport on a Thursday.  As I waited for my flight to Palma I observed the comings and goings of my fellow travellers. I love people watching and airports contain an eclectic mix of people.  I positioned myself near the Champagne and Oyster bar watching the customers swivelling on their chrome bar stools.  Couples beginning a romantic weekend break with Champagne and Oysters at 10am in the morning. That's not going to be very romantic by the time they reach their city break destination with stomach cramp, a headache and mild dehydration! Call me a cynic but there's a time and a place for fizzy pop, and 10am in the departures lounge isn't it for me! 


The other customers were Gladys and Hilda, hair newly set, bum bags stuffed with Euros, fleshy feet crammed into their summer weight hush puppies. Their bra's had obviously been washed far too many times on too high a temperature and were holding a vast amount of flesh and bingo wings. They were getting slightly squiffy, and after 20 minutes they were giggly and swivelling rather too enthusiastically on their stools - not a euphenism. Hey they were going on holiday they had reason to be happy.  


Several travellers over the age of 70 with DVT socks on were being chauffeured around the airport in the pope mobile.  Any unsuspecting travellers who got in it's flight path were beeped at.  That horn was rather loud - loud enough to give anyone a heart attack - maybe the driver was just drumming up some more business? Maybe this could be Franks vocation from RideAlongSpain in later life?.  A vehicle with a big loud horn. He'd like that.  See previous chapter.

The younger generation were all off on hen and shag... I mean stag parties.  Dressed in various fancy dress themes.  A tribe of vikings, who struggled through the face recognition passport control "Rob take your helmet and beard off you T**t" his friends shouted. Snow White and 10 dwarves, she needed to shave her legs that Snow White. Kermit the frog, slightly too tight fitting outfit #awkward. Orange girls on hen weekends, newly spray tanned, grubby orange stained hands and collars. I wondered what would happen to these girls if the plane actually crashed? How would these girls survive in their stilettos on a dessert island?. If there was a fire their hair extensions would be highly flammable and their fake nails would be sure to puncture the life rafts before they even reached dry land.


One hen party were quite subtle in their attire, but I wasn't quite sure what the theme was. In fact I'm still perplexed to this day. Matching black T-Shirts, with words on the back one had "Celery" the other "Lettuce" and wait a minute here comes  "Colon". Poor girl, was the hen organiser having a laugh? Had she misheard this girls favourite vegetable over the telephone.  Anyway "Colon" seemed quite happy as she trotted (see what I did there) in her high heels and shit T-shirt after the rest of the vegetable tray, maybe she was dyslexic?. Or they'd told her it was Spanish for Carrot. Anyway I'm sure they all had a good time.  There's a joke about vegetables and roasting here somewhere but I can't quite go there. (maybe I just have!)

Lemoncello - not as lethal as Tequila

EasyJet 1 piece of hand luggage only rule

I love watching this come into play, at the boarding gate. Passengers looking in mock surprise "Oh I didn't know, it doesn't say that anywhere" "Yes madam it clearly states it on our website, and yes your fake Gucci handbag does count as 1 piece and you will need to manhandle it roughly into your carry on bag". I watched 3 teenage girls desperately trying to cram 3 hand bags and 6 carry on bags into 3 pieces of hand luggage.  Bags were being hastily unpacked in full view of all passengers and distributed amongst the 3 bags in panic. Hair straighteners, flap jacks (that might be my sugar cravings), spare pants, make up bags, pairs of shoes, sun hats, various lotions and potions.  They were now wearing their sun hats, cramming shoes into their pockets, wearing as many clothes as possible. 

Pockets - always fancied taking up the pipe ! 

As someone who does tend to overpack, I've thought a fishing jacket would be a great idea for Easyjet travelling.  All those pockets you could carry cork screws, change of shoes, loads of stuff. I am trying to travel lighter, I am learning.  Not like the guy on one of the flights who just got on wearing his tri-suit. WTF.  I can understand wearing your wetsuit because that takes up quite a bit of weight allowance but there is not much material in one of those tri-suits. Maybe his triathlon was Fly, Bike, Run ? Triathletes funny people. Airports funny places,  you never know who or what you're going to see.

Cycling in Mallorca - 5 things I've learned this trip.

1. How to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew

2. Don't underestimate your cycling ability

3. Don't heckle the ride leader

4. Steve is afraid of the tunnel

5. Sugar is the devils work

1. How to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew

Some of the lovely people I've met along the way came to Mallorca to drink G&T's sorry I mean to go cycling. Steve and JT from Tricamp and Sandy and Lisa from RoadTripParis.  A great bunch of people. Had a fun night in Palma, great architecture in Palma lots of lovely roof top bars. Learnt how to open Rioja without a cork screw, great life lesson. I'd seen youtube videos but had never put it into practice. Put the bottle in the heel of a shoe and bash the shoe heel against the wall, holding the bottle, the cork gently pops out.  Saves you running up and down the stairs to reception to get a corkscrew I find.  

The Girls - Sandy Lisa and Me

2. Don't underestimate your ability and 3. Don't heckle the ride leader to try and make people laugh they don't like it.

Dave Hapwood, Me, Sandy, Lisa, Steve and JT

We were cycling with SunVelo owned by Dave a guy from college. We all set off to Playa de Muro where our lovely bikes were all ready and waiting for us, very efficient. On our first day of all riding together we went with the Green Group. A cowardly option really, but we were easing in gently after a winter of not much training. The Green Group was an eclectic bunch of people. The ride leader was very efficient and kept us all in check.  Well she certainly kept me in check anyway much to JTs amusement.  Don't think she appreciated my heckling, fair enough.  

Nice Boys Top ! and JT in head to toe Castelli !

Riding in a group is how I imagine speed dating but without eye contact.  You get to say your name and where you come from and then before you know it you're up the line and introducing yourself all over again.  This can be interesting, or not.  Some people have quite thick regional accents which when cycling with the wind whistling through your hair,  can make it quite hard to hear what they are saying.  And hence we all developed a coping mechanism for how to deal with people we couldn't understand a word of.  A polite "mmmmmm" or "indeed" , "I see right", or just look straight ahead and don't engage.  I like to engage because I find people fascinating. But this can back fire.  

Big Pete and the Green Group

The lady with the thick Northern Irish accent, was very chatty, I could just about make out what she was saying with only a few necessary "mmmm's" replies.  But I was alarmed when she held her finger to her tongue (which obviously helps speech tremendously) and very Irishly said "mmm-mmmm-he-he stung tee-diddly-dee bee tongue - eeelergic to be sure" .....WTF? Which in English obviously means "I say lady in the boy's cycling top have I been stung on my tongue by a bee because I'm allergic".  "Oh" I said trying to look at her tongue, which was 99% covered by her finger.  "It doesn't look like it" but more importantly I asked ...."when you say allergic, how allergic do you actually mean?" ...."Oh very!" she said "I carry an epi pen" Holy Shit, I took another look. She was fine. Quick someone blow that whistle so I can move along the line and don't have to deal with an anaphylactic shock. 

Selva Steps not for bikes

Beautiful 93k ride to Selva.  I'd forgotten what it was like to ride with the sun on your back, very nice and I love Mallorcan roads. We stopped for the obligatory cake.  At this point my so called "friends" decided to point out that I was wearing a boys cycling top....loudly. What can I say? I like my stripey green Hackney GT top, so do others.  And yes maybe I have a physique that might be described as boyish. I don't look like Jimmy Krankee or anything. I politely reminded them that I write a blog, and they could be included at my discretion.  And so Lisa I won't mention your dating escapades, JT I won't talk about your childhood, Steve I won't mention your dad or your cleaners or your CCTV and Sandy.....Sandy lets not go over how many times you've slept with Lisa again! The next day I wore a girls top that Sandy and Lisa gave me and actually maybe it was more flattering. Thank you. I think Martine McCutcheson would approve. (see previous chapter). 

It was lovely to ride with friends. And as Lisa and I laughed and talked about her dating escapades, we nearly got hit by a car.  We both swerved into the ditch and miraculously didn't fall off or crash into one another.  We cycled back out the ditch and carried on gossiping pretending that we hadn't nearly been killed. That'll be my expert cornering skills as featured on Totalwomens cycling website!! I think Big Pete the other ride leader was slightly exaceperated. A very patient man.  We were the least of his worries you should have seen who he had to contend with the next day.  A very slow day for him I believe.

Random Sunvelo balcony action in Selva 

The next day Steve, JT and I went up a group to the more racy blue group for a 106k ride. Led by Sunvelo owner Dave Harrwood and his whistle. Really great days riding lovely pace and in a very well organised group, great fun. Good to catch up and eat cake with Dave. And I can recommend the milk shakes in the BikePoint Cafe at the end. That actually felt like proper cycling. Thank you Sunvelo for lovely bikes, great rides and keeping us in order. Excellent cat herding!  No bee stings to report - apart from in the boys cycling top!

I like my boys top !

4. Steve is afraid of the tunnel

And relax ! No tunnels to see here.

I suggested for our last half day that we cycle upto the Formentor lighthouse, a beautiful ride, well when it's not windy.  And there is a small matter of the tunnel.  Steve wasn't keen on the Tunnel. The tunnel that is pitch black in the middle and you can't see your hands in front on you on the handlebars. The tunnel which means you lose all sense of balance. The tunnel that makes you feel like roadkill waiting to happen. The tunnel where whenever I come out the other end I want to shout "I"m alive!" OK we decided lets not go upto the lighthouse. Besides those G&Ts at the Illa D'Or the night before are the size of goldfish bowls. Well that was fun, cycling with good friends in the sunshine.

5. Sugar is the devils work

Sandy and I had been to the supermarket to get the required food for the cycling holiday.  An interesting shopping basket for cyclists; eggs more eggs, nuts, milk and banana's. coffee, Rioja. And Orange Juice.  This last item I hadn't realised was quite so controversial, not the Rioja, no the Orange Juice.  The first morning, I was making scrambled eggs for everyone, whilst Steve burnt the toast and roasted coffee. Innocently I asked "Does anyone want some Orange Juice?" a resounding NO! Gosh it was like I had suggested skinning a baby with a spoon. Why isn't anyone having Orange Juice ? Fructose the devils work.  But my kids have juice every morning.  Actually I needed to review their sugar intake. And I did need to stop and think about what I eat. I wanted to cut down on processed foods.  JT and Steve recommended a book Real Meal Revolution by Tim Noakes, Jonno Proudfoot and Sally-Ann Creed.  Right there were going to be changes when I got back.....and so, much to my kids disgust, I radically overhauled the packed-lunch snack drawer. Snacks were now nuts and seeds and coconut.  I was eating more eggs than the cast of Chicken Little could lay.  No biscuits, back to full fat milk and no carbs.  I could still have coffee which was good. So after 8 days I was feeling good, slightly dairy-fied and maybe a bit smug. I'd survived a dinner party, I'd had to drink neat Gin to avoid the sugar syrup cocktail which didn't help but I'd gotten over the urge to eat biscuits. So how does this work with cycling?

Well I don't think it does.  I went for a lovely (lovely once my saddle was the right height!) 110k training ride in South Wales prior to Velothon Wales.  There was no way I wasn't going to have carbs before that ride, I needed the energy. And a full English Breakfast is a great way to start a bike ride.  And where is the joy - if you can't enjoy a piece of carrot cake with your cycling buddies after lots of riding? It's still a good book worth a read and it does have some nice recipes in it. And I am stopping and thinking about what I eat before I shove it in my mouth. But honestly you can't beat a cheeky afternoon tea can you? Life is too short to deprive yourself of pleasure.  No biscuits consumed during the writing of this blog. 

BikePoint Cafe - that was fun !

Next Chapter .....Velothon Wales 2016 in Welsh Wales.