I arranged to meet up with Phil, Jaq, Budge and Andy yesterday outside the Singletrack office in Todmorden. Phil had a good route planned and the weather was dry and wintery. Perfect.

I struggled valiantly up the first vicious climb and I wasn’t even put off when everyone else skipped up the climb whilst I puffed and panted at the back. Summat wasn’t right but I thought I’d wait to see if it cleared up. About an hour later and it hadn’t cleared up. I’d found a bit of pace on the climbs but I was still struggling more than I should have been.

It was time to go. I’m getting there though. Hopefully I’ll be right as rain soon as long as I can manage some disciplined “taking it easy” for a few days.