Managed to get out on my 1st ride of November last night having been laid low by a germ for the past couple of weeks. I decided to cycle from home to the start at Westcott which I hardly ever do for a winter evening ride but I wanted to get some miles in to make up for not being out for what seems like ages.

Big mistake, I suffered badly all night and felt very out of sorts. Just didn't seem to have any energy in my legs at all. I managed to get up through Redlands wood and then back down to Wescott ok but once on the ride proper with the rest of the boys I was lagging behind well off the pace.

Its so frustrating having been getting very fit (by my standards) over the summer to then get wasted by a germ. Ever since the end of September and D2D I've not managed to recover properly and last night having taken nearly 2 weeks off the bike was very frustrating to be so bad. Coming up High Ashes was just a big battle to keep going which I just about managed but at less than walking pace and that was having left the others on Holmbury as I was holding them up so much.

Even 3 Tallywhackers at the Plough did nothing for me as I limped back home at about 11. Feeling no better this morning either, not sure whats going on but I do know I wish it wasn't.

In other news,I gather Carl is back on the road to recovery from his broken ankle having had the plaster removed and even getting out on the road bike. Not so Antony who is still out with he's broken collar bone.