Yesterday
I overcame more than 30 years of despising all things bicycle (except
the British Olympic Cycling team and watching the Tour de France). You
see, I grew up with a bike as my only dependable form of
transportation…in a very cold country. To make matters worse I’m a horse
rider and I’m the first one to get a bit uppity when cyclists come
blazing past on silent, efficient machines with little or no regard to
how startling their sudden appearance can be to our trusty mounts. What
does this have to do with Cookery Books you might ask?
One
of the reasons I started working in restaurants at the tender age of 14
was to save enough money to buy my first car on the day of my 16th
birthday. It was a clapped out Austin Marina Sport with no heater but
it was freedom. I never touched a bike again. Until yesterday.
I,
with some 40 other terrific people mounted skinny saddles to raise
funds for The Pelican Foundation, in memory of Roger Brooke, a man who
was dedicated to supporting local charities and making his community a
better place. There was a 50 mile ride and a 10 mile ride – I’ll leave
you to guess which one I signed up for.
The
route was simple enough – turn right out of the village hall, go up a
very long hill with legs and lungs burning, go down the long, twisty
other side with full-sized lorries coming at me at speed, spot the
marshals waving frantically for me to make a near 180 degree turn onto
the next leg (I confess to slightly hitting the hedgerow and promise to
pay the farmer for damages). Then a couple of steeper hills with a
glorious downward swoop interrupted by an abrupt T-junction and helpful
marshals. The last bit was a doddle, flat as a pancake with more
terrifying lorries. (I also confess to coming within a racing heartbeat
of nipping into a favourite pub a short distance from the finish). I
rolled in victorious and hour and ten minutes after I left.Phew.
Piece
of cake? No…I mean yes. Lovely ladies from the WI had filled the hall
with a fanfare of cakes and tea to welcome us back. The riders regaled
stories of beautiful scenery, fresh air and general great fun. I brooded
on the dangers of anything with wheels and an engine, how to find a
good hedge repairman and a new respect for cyclists. Not that I’m going
to become one soon. I’d do it again though.
Events
like these bring communities together and showcase people’s decency and
generosity. Thousands were raised for the Pelican Foundation to fund a
special research programme for bowel cancer, the charity without which
my Simon wouldn’t be here.
Finally,
we sold copies of my book whilst munching on lovingly made
cakes and goodies. We donated our full profits to the day. What fun. My
cakes were zucchini bread and chocolate & beetroot tart. Next week I’m cooking for 40 at the polo!
Penny Ericson, 20 May 2013
