Ancient Connections

We all had great fun at the Velodrome last night, although the boys discovered that they are not perhaps as fit as they thought they were! It was quite a structured session, and probably the best part was when we tried to work together to hold a wheel and keep a good line around the track. At the head of the line there is far more wind resistance so the idea is that you each do one lap at the front, then peel off by going up the banking, to drop back down to rejoin at the back. Lap by lap you get to the front again to repeat the pattern. We were told to keep our eye on the backside of the rider in front. That was easier at some times than others depending on who that rider happened to be!

After a while you could sense that you weren't having to think so much about it, trusting more to instinct. It actually became quite mesmeric. When you watch the best in the world compete in the team pursuit this movement is totally seamless. It's as if the four riders are one. We went around with perhaps half a bike length between us as opposed to the half centimeter which the pros maintain, but it was still quite scary. With no brakes you place a lot of trust in the people ahead of you to maintain a smooth speed and a good line. When it came together I got a terrific buzz. I think it's that feeling of being part of a team that is so attractive. Although I wouldn't go as far as to say we felt as one, there was still this feeling that the we were more than just individuals riding around the track. That felt good. I really didn't want to come off. The instructor actually had to flag me down!

The weather has been quite miserable today. I hung on and hung on before going out for run and was finally rewarded in the late afternoon when the uniform greyness cleared up for a short while. The light by then wasn't too great, but it occurred to me that I haven't actually blipped any of Ilkley Moor's ancient rock art since a shot of The Badger Stone back in June. This carving is estimated to date back to the Bronze Age, over 3,000 years ago. Who was the person who carved this? What was their life like? What view did they have from this spot? What was the purpose of this distinctive set of markings, many similar examples of which can be found in this area. There are no answers but I rather like to feel this ancient historic connection.

Thanks once more for all the wonderful feedback over the last few days. I've had very little spare time this weekend but plan to have a good catch-up with people tomorrow and I really look forward to that.