A Sunday of Santas and Cycling

I have to confess that yesterday was a bit of a shock to the system! It's become a bit of an annual tradition for us to take part in the Santa Run. The first year it was in Torquay, last year it was in Paignton and this year it was in the centre of Exeter. This year, however, I've done absolutely no running for months (probably not since the last Santa Run!) - so even though it's only a mile, it was a bit of a struggle! I determinedly kept going despite feeling out of puff after just running the length of the high street, then I got stitch coming back up through Southernhay, but as it was only a short stint back through Cathedral Green and on to the finish in the High Street (and because there were lots of people watching and I couldn't stand the embarrassment of stopping to walk!) we kept going!

I don't think the event had quite the same atmosphere as the other two I've taken part in, but it's still a nice fun and festive thing to do. This was the first year we'd picked up our Santa Suits first so we walked into town and back dressed as Santa, which created a bit of interest from passers by! Most people just said Merry Christmas and some kids said 'Hello Father Christmas' which was very sweet. Only one stroppy little madam stopped us and said 'I want a present'!

We had been planning to drive out to the CTC Christmas Lunch - partly because we thought we'd be short of time if we cycled and partly because the weather forecast had been awful! As it turned out though, it was a glorious day and we decided to go for it even though we had no idea of the best cycling route to take. It's amazing how you don't realise how hilly some extremely familiar roads are until you cycle on them! We set off out towards Heavitree and then cut across to Pinhoe to follow the road out to Broadclyst. For the most part it was fine, other than some vehicles driving a bit too close for comfort. The rain held off until we passed the sign into Broadclyst, so we pedalled hard to get into the dry. I'd brought a spare top to change into, but as it was so nice when we left, I didn't bother with spare trousers! As we came to the turning for the Red Lion, we saw the familiar faces of CTC riders coming in the other direction - it had all worked out perfectly!

Lunch was lovely and much needed after the morning's exertions! I started livening up a bit once I'd had my turkey and it was good to catch up with people we've not seen for ages. We recommitted ourselves to getting back into some proper training again in the New Year and Kirby instantly had a 100km ride up his sleeve for us to aim for in March...so that's the new goal!

We headed off quite soon after lunch so that we should get back before it got dark. That was when I decided that the coffee and mince pies might have been a course too far! (Although I don't regret having the mince pie as it was gorgeous - nicer than the previous two I had eaten, which is a good recommendation when one had been from Michael Caines cafe and the other was from Killerton - got to keep up the foodie facts for all my non-cycling friends!). Heading out of Broadclyst and towards Pinhoe the road seemed to have got longer since we arrived - probably because we were going up it rather than down! We had a slight hitch when Ant's chain came off his bike, but I was glad to stop and catch my breath - and Kirby magically appeared from round the corner to offer assistance! We were already on our way again by then though, so we waved goodbye to Kirby and made our way back into Exeter.

I picked a different route back through Whipton and then left at Polsloe Bridge to cut through to Heavitree. Yet another route I hadn't realised was so hilly! It wasn't as bad as it looked though as we got up quite a bit of speed on the downhills and whizzed most of the way back up the other side. Yet again, we were really lucky with the rain which started belting down when we were only a few corners from our front door.

All in all a lovely festive day out! I have been a little sore today, but I think that's mostly from the shock of running rather than getting back on the bike! Every time I cough something inside hurts, but I'm sure it must be good for me!

We're not planning another ride now until Boxing Day - so if I don't blog again before then, I wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!