Questioning THE Coach is verboten!

First ride for the 2010 - an early morning ride to Centennial Park with THE Coach.  Only 25kms today, at a rather slow pace due to all the stopping and starting through the city, and the hills!

As we left home at 6.30am there wasn't much traffic, but being mostly law abidding cyclists we did stop at quite a few red lights and the odd escalator.  It was the perfect time to ride as there were very few cars, walkers, or riders in the city on this holiday weekend.

THE coach and I agreed that this approach to Centennial Park reminded us of Central Park in New York - perhaps one day we'll be able to follow Mon and Paul on a cycling tour of their new home town, but for now the goal is France.

We followed Catherine's advice and rode up one of the longish hills in Centennial Park.  Sadly THE Coach left me for dead on the hills.  It wasn't only THE Coach who zoomed ahead - I was passed by all other cyclists and all but one, of the hill running joggers.  Guess I need to work on those hills as Mary and Catherine reminded me over lunch last week.  "Lots of hills in the Dordogne" they echoed.

As this was a reward ride with THE Coach, I was able to indulge in some raisin toast with my coffee.  THE Coach emphasised that we had stopped in the very part of Woollahra where the debate about the best cafe for a coffee continues to be hotly contested between cyclists.  We chose Catherine's favourite stop and enjoyed a pleasant brew.  Most of Sydney seemed to be asleep, or out of town, so service was quick and we were back on the road in no time.

Once again a great ride thanks to THE Coach, who pedaled patiently ahead with only one terse word of warning, when I dared to ask if we were off route as we cycled passed his old haunt of Ridge Street, Surry Hills.  I won't question THE Coach again as his mysterious methods seem to be working. That's my New Year's resolution.