I've been pushed along on the flat. Now that is embarrassing.

I'd just joined the club and did my best to keep up but there was a very strong headwind, combined with a very slight incline and I was struggling. One of the guys pushed me while I had a chew on an energy bar.

Later on, on the return leg we were all having a great time and we managed to get three of us forming a pushing chain and I was on the front! We were doing about 27 mph with Tris pushing me while Gary pushed him. It was such a laugh and I thoroughly enjoyed it. At that stage in my cycling career I'd never been that fast on a bike before. ( I really was a total beginner!)