So today was going to be a big day, and this weekend is a big weekend. Our kids fly back from the UK tonight - they've all been gone way too long and we can't wait to see them again. I didn't really want to be out cycling for 8 hours on Sunday and miss half the day, which worked for Dan too, so we agreed to do our big ride on Saturday and leave less to do on Sunday. We also wanted to break 200km in one ride for the first time and as a result planned to set off at 4.15am to beat the worst of the heat.
Last night was THE hottest and most humid night I have experienced in Malta and I had a fitful nights sleep. Add to that knowing I was getting up even earlier than usual and I was awake pretty much every hour on the hour, and was already awake before the alarm. Despite feeling like I'd had no sleep at all I was in good form and looking forward to breaking the target as I got ready to head out. For anyone interested Alfie's teeth are getting sharper and he can now happily sink them into a calf as well as any passing toe!
We planned to loop the island. Twice. And headed off towards Golden Bay to start the long haul 8 hour trip. Dan's front light had broken last week and so had a torch attached to his bike, shining like a small super nova and making me realize just how useless my light is in comparison. As last week, it was pitch black out. And the further out to the country we headed, the darker it got- not a street light in sight and only Dan's light of any use what so ever so I tried riding side by side as far as possible.
It hadn't, stupidly, ever crossed my mind that the light had a function other than showing people where I was. Just so you know, it's also really useful for seeing where you are going when you're cycling in a blackout. Add to that the dire state of the Maltese roads and you can imagine how difficult it was hurtling down the hill towards Golden Bay at 40kmh bouncing over the potholes and ruts while still avoiding serious injury, but somehow I managed it. To make matters worse my light shook loose and ended up pointing straight at the ground underneath me!
As we navigated the dark towards St Pauls and light we saw small white lights in the distance. Some flashing and some not. Aliens? Fireflies? No. As they were almost upon us, 5 more LifeCycle cyclist came into view, a quick wave and they were engulfed in the blackness behind us never to be seen again.
I had none of last weeks feelings of gloom in the dark, and actually found the first hour really enjoyable. We were over taken on the Coast Road by a lad in his boy racer mobile but caught up with him about 2km later slewed across the road having swerved and hit the opposite kerb/wall. I'm sure something must have run out in front of him for him to lose control like that! What on earth else could it have been? T*s**r. No serious damage done though, and on we went.
Rounding St Georges Bay as light came up it was as if some kind of human bomb had exploded in Paceville - scores of students scattered all over the beach, like extras in Saving Private Ryan - some walking and talking in a daze, others totally unconscious. There was the also the post-Paceville-munchies debris to match of course - Dan's only comment was along the lines of "I pity the bloke who has to tidy that lot up!" :)
6.30am, going well, and a red sunrise greets us as we round Valetta While we're trying to figure out how we can extend our route by an hour to reach the cafe in Birzebugga after around 3 hours riding for breakfast we meet Liz and her two "minders" at Marsa roundabout. They lead us through the Three Cities to Smart City, Marsascala and on to Marsaslok. I have to be honest, the route was a bit bumpy in places, but it was great to spend time with a bigger group, and to see a new route to take. It also got us to the cafe with just over 3 hours down. Perfect timing and 73km down!
If you haven't been to the Country Style Cafe in Birzebugga you have to go - it's not in the best spot but the coffee is good and they have a huge selection of donuts to choose from. It's SO good they even have Diet Donuts on the menu! GENIUS! "Why are they diet?" I asked. "I think they have some kind of syrup in them." came the nutritiously sound reply. I think I'll stick with the non-diet variety, thanks, they're probably more healthy!
No doubt at this point that a 2pm and 200km finish is well on the cards.
We left the others there at around 8am and set off for Freeport. As soon as we got there the wind, which had been getting up slowly suddenly hit us full on and stayed that way for the next 35km. Our average speed dropped from 24kmh to around 17kmh in places as the strength of the wind increased sometimes taking all our energy to get any forward movement at all, particularly on the hills.
Eventually we rounded Golden Bay for the second time and headed along the coast road. Finally the wind was sometimes with us, although bizarrely was still more often than not fighting us all the way, no matter which way we were headed. And now, not only the wind to contend with but also that other energy sapper, the heat.
Back at St Georges Bay and "that bloke" has done an amazing job on the beach - it's now pristine and rammed full of sun worshippers. Not a sign of the carnage earlier in the day.
We reach the Waterfront in Valetta after another 3 hours and a total of just over 140km down. The temperature is a scorching 40 degrees and its only 11am. We decide to "go posh" and have our pit stop inside the Hard Rock Cafe - it's dark and cool, and neither of us are really feeling like we want to leave, but we only have another 60km to go and should be home by 2pm at this rate.
By the time we reach Birzebugga again the wind is gusting at around 25kmh and is even worse than before. When I was growing up I had a recurring nightmare where I was either running or cycling desperately trying to get somewhere but there was a wind so strong that it made it impossible for me to move forwards. Well, today that nightmare proved to be more like a vision of the future.
It was miserable climbing the hill into the wind with no respite again and after just another hour or so we stop again at the airport to take on food and water. By this time the legs are beginning to feel heavy but we push on. The onslaught continues and by Rabat I've had enough. I'm at 175km and Dan's already at 180km. It's nearly 2pm already and we have at least another hour, mostly against the wind if we still want to reach our goal.
On any other day we would have done it easily, but the wind is the strongest its been in weeks. I don't fancy another hour of this torture but chatting it through we talk ourselves into a different, maybe less windy, route. Within another 10 minutes though even that plan is abandoned, we concede defeat and head into Mosta and towards home.
I get home 10 hours after I left and with 182km on the clock. In reality it's probably a big win in the conditions, certainly farther than either of us have gone before, and we did cover the required distance.
But, no matter the reason, we didn't make 200km and it feels rubbish - a real anti-climax after such a positive start. Maybe I'll see it in a different light by the morning but for now it's a mind game of "what if's" and "if onlys".
Looking at the forecast for tomorrow - its more of the same - not great for the 10km time trial we have scheduled. Fingers crossed the Maltese weathermen are as bad as the English ones! At least I'll have my family back tomorrow - with that tailwind, they may even be here already :)
It is a new PB, so here are the stats in case you're interested:
Very good blog.
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