What cracking weather today. Cycled up to a place called Roundwood, the highest village in Ireland for a 50 mile race. It took me a good hour and 20 to get there, even though it's only about 20 odd miles. It's the savage climb of Djouce hill that puts that extra 20 minutes on the journey. I put the foot down on the peddle to get there on time for sign on but as it turned out I had the start time wrong and had an hour to spare so I grabbed a quick power snooze in the back of a mates car at the starting line.
So I settled lovely into the race and was cosey going through the bunch when my chain came of my bike... again. This happened last week too. Fecking major pissed off is an understatement. I cut my finger badly getting it back on in fustration. The bunch had gone and I was never going to get back on. So covered in blood and all sweaty, I could feel my eyes swelling up. I know there are worse things to be upset about and I'm being selfish but when I put so much training in and money and self expectations all I want is a result. I feel I'm missing out on racing and I'm meant to be top form for the paralympics. I hope my head doesn't go before I get there. No more negativity!
Anyway I saw this as an oppertunity to grab a few photos of the landscape as you can see below. The photos just don't do the area any justice. Wicklow in summer time is by far the most beautiful place I have ever been and I've been around the globe. Due to being out all day in the cycling gear I've developed really dodgy arm tan lines. Now leg tan lines are good. They're dedication but arm tan lines are a no no. It's obsessive. I look like a eejit in a t-shirt. I right country farmer. You probably can't see in the pic but my hands are white from the cycling gloves and the ends of my fingers are tanned. I have tan lines on my thumbs! I feel like mickey mouse with the white hands. I think i'm going to have to go sun bathing with my arm warmers on to even out this tan!
