We spent Easter with friends staying in a beautiful country home, between the towns of Blayney and Orange in western NSW.
The weather was glorious and this part of the country was looking its best after some much needed rain. Who could blame THE Coach for taking off every morning to ride with some very keen cyclists along empty country roads, through dazzling green fields, past pretty country villages and best of all, up some long steady hills?
Yes, THE Coach was in heaven as he rode with Richard, Anne, Kate, Catherine, Julie-Anne and occasionally, his trainee Jenny, along the country roads around Blayney and Millthorpe.
Luckily, while THE Coach was out pedaling furiously up and down as many hills as he could find, I enjoyed some lovely rides with Anne and Catherine, who kindly kept me company at the back of the pack. Although the rides were some of the longest that I've done (38kms around Blayney and 42 kms into Orange), we also made time to drink coffee, eat lots of Anne's delicious home cooked biscuits and taste some wine with Melissa at the
Philip Shaw vineyard just outside Orange.
So, although THE Coach was consumed with riding fast, up as many hills as he could find, he encouraged his trainee with reward cups of coffee and the odd encouraging remark - "Good to see you've finally arrived" - words of encouragement from himself as I hauled myself off the bike at the Union Bank Cafe.
We loved visiting Orange, Millthorpe and Blayney. Cycling in the morning and then eating out - lunch at
Tonic in Millthorpe on Saturday, follow by lunch at
The Union Bank on Easter Sunday.
We still managed to feast again on Sunday night as our most generous hosts, Anne and Richard, prepared a delicious roast dinner, followed by a very moreish apple crumble.
I've said it before - there is only ONE Coach. His ruthless coaching methods are working as I've now cycled similar distances to those we'll be doing in France.
Admittedly, I'm lacking considerable stamina, but there are still many months to go. Thanks to THE Coach, I'm still on my bike and enjoying the riding more than ever.
Cycling round Orange was sensational. Catherine, Mary and Julie-Anne assure us that the Dordogne will be even more delightful. Hard to believe after such a fantastic weekend!!! Thanks Catherine, Richard and Anne.
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Sounds like a lovely way to spend Easter Jen and great to back it up with a ride this afternoon - coach will be pleased. Got home safely despite the rain and the darkening skies. Hope you did too. Until our next ride.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment fellow blogger. Yes, made it home with only a few sprinkles of rain.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing reports of improvement in average speed times
ReplyDeleteOh there's no pleasing THE Coach.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of THE Coach! Love the gate and trees in the driveway. We are writing this sipping on champagne at WerriB. We are having fun. It looks like as much fun as cycling in Orange at Easter. The weekend looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteThis is Anne at Werri...
ReplyDeleteNote to THE Coach: Your trainee is progressing beautifully. All that riding around the precincts of Orange during the Easter break, and as follow up, walking up and down the main street of Gerringong... it's truly inspirational. She pretended that it was to peruse the shops, where as I know, it was to keep up the fitness levels developed on the weekend. Oh what a model student. You are so lucky to have such a protege. You are truly blessed.