Cycling Uphill with a Combined Harvester Right Behind

Yesterday we were cycling up towards Marchissy when a combine harvester began to follow us quite close. The experience of being followed, while cycling is quite something. These machines are large, with big tyres, and the driver is centred rather than to the left as with other vehicles. Luckily the gradient of the climb was not too steep.

After riding in two groups in a single day I expected yesterday evening to be relaxed. I had set my heart on riding with group three, as it’s a relaxed group, before seeing someone I knew who wanted to join group 2. As I had the course I offered to help with guidance.

It was the chance to sprint from group 3 and catch up with group 2 and we succeeded. It required some hard riding, and endurance to keep up the pace. I wanted to try this challenge solo, recently but thought better of it. This time I had a legitimate context in which to try this challenge.

It took us from Nyon to Trelex, via Duiller to catch up with the group. I think we were lucky that someone had a technical issue because it meant that the group slowed down at least temporarily. It gave us the chance to catch up, and become part of the group.

This isn’t catching up on a flat road. This is catching up on an uphill climb from Nyon to Trelex, and from Trelex towards Givrins. That’s when we rejoined group 2, and that’s when my idea of a rest day was lost, in favour of a more demanding pace.

The Need for Rest

I felt the need to rest, which is why I had planned to ride with group 3. By riding with group 2 I was able to keep up, until I felt tightness in my right knee. I had been climbing quite well until this point. That’s when I slowed down and ended up, yet again, at the back of a group. I seem to spend my life at the back of cycling groups.

I had the endurance to keep pushing but my right leg said “slow down”. I even considered aborting the ride. Slowing down helped so I continued with the ride. Today I plan not to cycle at all. Tomorrow I plan to have an easy ride. There is a chance of a storm and rain.

Stopping to Take a Photo or Two

During the climb, when I saw the view of Geneva, the Salève and the Mont Blanc I took the time to stop, take a photo or two, and then continue with the ride. Two days ago I didn’t stop but the conditions were idea for taking photos. The sky was nice and moody, and the colours and contrast were interesting.

It would be nice to ride with groups that did stop to take photos every so often, not just for water or coffee stops. When the group did stop we had power lines in the way.

And Finally

I wasn’t worried about having a combine harvester behind me because I knew I had the stamina to get up the hill. I keep being the slowest in climbs but yesterday I raced from one group, to another before fatigue slowed me down. If I had made a steady effort with that group from the start I might not have been dropped.

And finally today I am not cycling. Today I will probably walk.