The Big Belly Club Rides Again

No sooner had I returned from working in Nanjing I was invited to attend a race in which the Big Belly Cycle Club needed a big presence as a show of force. We met at the Merida cycle shop on 169, Beijing Road West at 1.00pm, where my wife also attended with the official Olympic torch. The club members were excited to have their photo taken with me and the torch. After that we cycled to the lake opposite Nanchang University’s new campus, which was a long haul on such a hot day. Although, with all the stopping and starting I developed a touch of the cramps in my right and then left leg. I was also fatigued from traveling from Nanjing, but I didn’t want to let the side down.

I was number 84 and every rider started within one minute of each other from somewhere around 2.30pm. The distance was approximately 8 kilometers, or so it was reported - and there were hills. The temperature on this day must have easily been 37 or 38 degrees Celsius, with the sun beating down merciless on Jiangxi province, as is normal this time of the year. There was little in the way of shade, but we waited patiently.

I tried my best and achieved a time of 18 minutes, which I thought, was good, but it turned out that it was not such a good time. I came 22nd out of 26 riders in my group - which means at least I wasn’t last and some of the other riders were half my age. However, it was good fun and I glad I went and represented my club. There was a meal afterwards, but the restaurant that the BBC frequents was at the other side of town opposite to where I live and Nanchang University’s new campus is near my own apartment, so it just wasn’t feasible to go - and I really was flagging at the end of the day.

I guess lying on a bed in a hotel, air-conditioned room preparing lessons isn't the best training for sprint racing.

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