Gaby Book 26 On The Edge by Maddy Bell Copyright© 2021 Madeline Bell Seventeen - it's a birthday overshadowed by its predecessor and successor and Gaby's looks set to follow that pattern. There are however big decisions to be made, should she grab life by the horns and experience everything it has to offer or take the more conservative, safer route through life. This volume, the 26th in the Gaby series has all the elements of classic Gaby, bike riding, teenage angst, developing relationships, grist to the mill for our heroine as life in the Ahrtal ticks on.

 
Even with the extra hour to sort ourselves out, we were still running the appointed eating hour quite close by the time we were sorted. I took Kat at her word, I did have a quick shower but rather than break out a whole new outfit, just for dinner, it was fresh undies and the frock that I flew out in. Add a bit of slap, sandals rather than trainers and one smart casual Gaby ready and present for eating!

With the whole team on the same corridor it was inevitable we'd see someone else as we made our way to the eatery, we caught up with Erika and Tina at the lift.

"Hi guys.”
"Ah, our rainbow warrior,” Erika stated, "Hungry as usual eh?”
"You can go off people.”
"But then who'd you race cross with.”
"You're both looking fit,” Mand opined and indeed the girls were tanned and looking pretty sharp.
"Looks can be deceiving,” Tina retorted.

Ding.

We piled into the lift which usefully had a button marked for the restaurant, which when we got there appeared to be situated below the reception level. It wasn't hard to find where we had been hidden, I could hear Josh's voice across the room, Mum too – she doesn't realise she's doing it but give her an audience and she goes into teacher mode. Compared to the senior squad, carrying two weeks of Iberian tan, us juniors look decidedly pasty – note to self, remember to put on sunscreen tommorow.

A dozen riders plus support staff can get a bit lively so it was just as well we were eating fairly early, before most of the other guests were about. We were on three tables which, this evening at least, were split by team with 'management' on the third, maybe we'll mix more as the week goes by like in Austria. Josh was holding forth on what seemed to be a Ryanair versus Air Berlin debate with Daz.

"Can anyone join in?” I enquired.
"Gab, how yous doing hen?”
"Same old, where're the girls?”
"Probably still complaining about the taxi driver,” he suggested as de Vreen and I sat ourselves down.
"So what're you two complaining about?” Mand asked.
"I was just telling Josh about my flight out,” Daz explained.
"You're not still going on about that.” I groaned.
"Well it was annoying.”
"Whatever, so any word on food?”
"Looks like there's a salad bar,” de Vreen observed as Gret and Tal arrived bearing plates of the aforesaid commestible.
"Hi guys, got here okay then,” Tal queried as she sat herself and her plate at the table.
"Yeah but more importantly, where'd you get that?”
"Big buffet thing just inside the door,” Gret advised, "Nice dress Gab.”
"Thanks, how come we didn't see that Mand?”
"You were talking with Erika,” she pointed out.

"People!” Dad's raised voice got everyones attention, "George has been delayed, we'll go through the week's logistics after we've eaten. A couple of you have already found the salad bar,” he observed looking at our table, "Thats fine, we've got a fixed menu which will be served at table, you all know the score by now so, go eat.”

"Fixed menu, you know what that means,” Tal moaned.
"It means,” Dad interrupted from behind me, "That Pet and Kat have been working for weeks on a menu to keep you fuelled without most of the rubbish that some of you like.”
"Rabbit food,” I sighed.
"Hardly,” Pater went on, "I think you'll be surprised.”

It was only then that I noticed the lads and Manda were now absent.

"Sugar!”
 
By the time I got to the salad dispensory, I was at the back of the queue, somehow even Dad had beaten me to it! I say queue, it was a big double sided affair so once you had some crockery it was straight to loading it, pretty much everything was duplicated. I was soon loading up with tasty tidbits, the usual green stuff of course but there were sweet peppers, Ananas1 and other more exotic stuff too.

Not that I got much chance to start eating, i'd no sooner sat back down than our main course arrived in several turreens per table.

"Interesting,” Gret suggested.
Josh was straight in lifting lids, announcing contents as he went, "Rice, chicken, veggies and some sort of sauce stuff.”
"Well lets have at it then,” Mand chivvied.

The chicken was broiled, the veg steamed and the mushroom sauce perhaps a bit thin but i've had worse. It was a bit bland but some careful seasoning, okay a good dose of S&P and the help of my salad selection, just about made it passable. And of course there was only just enough to go around, one chicken breast each and clearly a single serving spoon of veg and rice per diner – we certainly won't be getting fat.

It was a bit of a surprise then when a dessert arrived, plain vanilla cheesecake but in good sized portions, no doubt there is method to the menu but I can't see it.
 

George stood and tapped his water glass to get our attention.

"Ladies, and gentlemen, you all know why we are here, but just to re-iterate, this is not a holiday trip, you are here to work, to hone skills, improve fitness so that we start the domestic programme at the top of our game. Yes I know the seniors have already got some race miles in, that has allowed me to see where we need work, its a bit different with the Jungere squad but the aim is the same.

So that means the programme is the same for everyone, apart from Thursday, mornings will be a group ride, after lunch there will be more specific training sets for each of you. Breakfast is at seven, we'll be on the road at eight to hopefully beat the mid day heat. Tomorrow will be slightly different, we'll be doing a team presentation down at the harbour.

There are a lot of press here this week, we aren't the only ones doing a team launch, don't be surprised to find yourselves crossing with mens World Tour teams as well as lower echelon and amateur riders all here for the same reasons. Other than Thursday when Gaby and Tina do the Mount Teide, we aren't here to race, the local authorities will be watching closely, in the past informal racing has been problematic.

Dave? You have everything sorted for your people?”

"Yes George, youth riders, room four oh one once we are done here and we'll get you some riding togs sorted out.”
"Any questions?” the Boss enquired.

I stuck my arm up.

"Gaby?”
"Is there a dress code this week, you know for dinner and stuff?”
"Good question,” George nodded sagely, "I don't think we need to be so formal for eating here, you will need your Kleid tomorrow though for the presentation. If there is a change to that I'll let you know in good time but otherwise smart is the watchword eh? Anyone else?”

Silence was the loud reply.

"Okay then, Jungere go see Dave and Kat and I'll see you all in the morning.”

 
"Very er, white,” Tal suggested when I shook out my Weltmeisterin strip.

I'm not sure what I was expecting and I'm not sure exactly what I think of it yet, of course the top half is almost generic, rainbow bands, sponsors names all on a white background. What I hadn't been expecting was the white shorts, trimmed with black, red and yellow as a nod to my German champion status.

The standard strip was new too, essentially a sky blue version of my stuff, minus the bands of course – not a black short in the house!

"What about training gear like?” Josh asked after a shake of his head, "Is that all blue too?”
"Don't worry Josh,” Dad chuckled, "You won't have to wear blue tights around Ponteland.”
"It wasn't that I was worried aboot that like, the roads are covered in shite, black doesn't show as much.”
"Ooo, hark at the domestic god,” Mand teased.
"Ah was only saying.”
"White's even worse,” I added.
"Which is why your training kit has black bottoms,” Dad stated, "Sintani are couriering that out to each of you next week direct from the factory. Everyones lids fit?“

The new Met helmets matched our strip, so mine is white with rainbow bands over the crown, the others team blue, same for riding mitts, if anyone was ever in any doubt as to who is number one this lot will set them right.

"Okay then,“ Dad went on as everyone seemed okay helmet wise, "Tomorrow, we'll be back here for lunch, shower, clean kit then everyone will ride down to the harbour. We'll take your team uniforms down, after the initial presentation you get changed for the press session, okay?”
"Seems like a lot of mucking about,” I mumbled.
"Its all about image Gab, we present ourselves in a professional manner, we look good, the sponsors look good, we at least appear to be on the top of the game, everyone's happy.”
"I guess.”
"Good, bikes, they're all built and set up, we'll sort out any kinks along the road. We've fitted you up with hrm computers, we're hopefully going to gather some data to help monitor your fitness and so on, the seniors had this last year and found it useful so we're rolling it out to you this season, questions?”
"Are there team bikinis?” Gret smirked.
"I'm sure that could be arranged Fraulein Luchow, right then, early night, long day tomorrow, I'll see you in the morning.”
 

We filed out of four oh one, which for this week has become the working area for rider interface stuff, massage, food prep, spare kit and so on.

"What're we doing now?” Tal queried.
"What time is it?” Mand asked.
"Ten to eleven like,” Josh supplied.
"Thats like nearly midnight in real time,” I stated.
"This is real time,” Mand advised.
"You know what I mean.
"What is she on about,” Gret wondered.
"Someone forgot to change her watch earlier,” Mand told the assembled masses.
"Why'd she need to do that?” Daz enquired.
"Different time zone?”
"Didn't change mine,” he pointed out.
"Its the same here as the UK,” Mand explained, "Which is different to Germany.”
"Ah, I see,” Daz allowed.
"Well anyway,” Mand went on, "I'm going to bed we can catch up tomorrow.”
"Aye,” Josh agreed, "Early start and all that.”

And so we went to our respective rooms, not that I think anyone will be going to sleep in the near future!
 

Not sure what but something activated my consciousness, maybe the light, maybe the movement in the room, no it was definitely Mand cursing after stubbing her toe!

"Time is it?”
"Just turned six.”
"Six? What the heck are you doing at six o flippin' o'clock in the morning?”
"Getting up?”
"What for, breakfast is hours away.”
"Fifty minutes to be precise,” Mand told me, "Seeing as you're awake I can put the ruddy light on.”
"Noooo!”

But there was no stopping her and despite closing my eyes there really wasn't any escape from the inevitable. First the light then the too thin curtains were yanked back.

"Oh. my. God.”
"What now?”

When I heard the balcony door open I cracked an eye again.

"You need to see this Gab.”
"I saw it yesterday.”
"Not this you didn't.”

So okay, she'd piqued my curiosity now. I slipped out of the bed and still only half looking went to join her on the balcony.

"What?”
"If you opened your eyes you'd see,” she suggested, "Now this I could wake up to.”
I can follow instructions, I opened the peepers and, "Phooee!”

Yes, last night I looked out over the town from our high vantage point, the low Sun light washing the colour from the view. But this morning with the sun already well up but behind us, well the view was spectacular – okay, if you looked a bit closer there were building sites and there was already the sound of traffic even at this hour but the long view, out into the perfect azure of the Atlantic, i'd pay.
 

"You see the view this morning?” I enthused to Ron, having caught up with her in the lift.
"What, of the autobahn and petrol station?”
"Don't be daft, out to sea.”
"You can't see the sea from our room.”
"Oh right, you'll have to come and see, its spectaclier.”
"All I want to see is a coffee machine.”

Well I can't argue with that sentiment.

Mindful of Dad's admonishment to be ready, front and center on time, I didn't dally over breakfast, tempting as it was. No, today I really need to lose the 'five minute girl' tag and actually be on time so I made short work of fruit salad, scrambled egg, a couple of rounds of toast and a Pain au Chocolate, restricting myself to just two cups of coffee – self control eh? Then it was back up to the room, grab my team dress, suitable shoes and the riding gear and back to the ground floor.

"Wonders will never cease,” Mum stated when she and Anja arrived in reception, "Make a note An, you may never see this again.”
"Mu-um!”
"Its alright Gaby, mothers can be so mean,” Anja observed, "You are looking very, er championy.”
"I'm not sure about the white shorts,” I allowed plucking at a leg.
"You seemed to like them at that photo shoot last year,” Mum pointed out.

That photo shoot, yeah well we won't go there today or maybe ever.

The rest of Apollinaris drifted in over the next few minutes, Kat collected dresses and stuff for later, Pet arrived with boxes of ride food, the locusts descended to fill pockets with dried fruit, energy gels and so on. Dad poked his head in from outside which was enough to encourage everyone out to the bikes. Of course, the seniors have been using theirs for a fortnight already but the junior squad had as yet, not seen theirs – okay, I have seen my frame but not the complete bike.
 

"Juniors,” Mike called out, "Over here please.”

And there they were, six brand new, sparkly Pinarello race bikes all in a row, five in sky blue and one, mine, in white flam with a rainbow striped overlay.

Once we were all gathered he addressed us more directly, "Okay guys, names on frames, you'll need to put on the heart rate bands hanging on the bars, we've paired them to your computer units already so they should be ready to go. The heads have auto start stop but you will need to switch them on, its the top left button. If you want to scroll the screen its the two buttons on the bottom, one up, one down. Any questions?”
"Where's the coffee maker?” Tal asked with a grin.
"Get on with you, times wasting, try not to break anything.”

"Woulda been easier doing this before we got dressed,” Gret observed as she threaded her band under her bib straps.
"Well I guess its just this once right?” Daz suggested.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, by mutual consent we're using English rather than German, we already do it in the races so its not that big a stretch to use it now which avoids having to run a simultaneous translation for the less gifted linguists!

"Okay everyone,” George called out to his milling minions, "Time to roll, Jenny, you're in charge.”
"Okay Boss man,” Mum acknowledged, "Right, lets go, two lines steady.”

Of course, the first thing to do was get off the hotel's rocky precipice, a manouevre which caused a few nervous moments for the junior contingent as we adapted to the fresh brakes and new bikes, heck, we didn't even get a go around the car park first. We made it down through the hairpins, Mum leading the way out onto the main road heading south. It was just on the fresh side of comfortable but i've no doubt it'll soon be warmer, afterall, there's hardly a cloud in the bright blue sky.

We were soon beetling along at, according to the fancy computer on my bars, at a steady thirty kph, which, in a group situation, felt very relaxed. Oh I'm sure that we'll be notching things up at some point but not yet, not until we've got warmed up. There are various options for two line rotations, Mum had us in a rotating loop so every change you are alongside a different rider – not great for long conversations but we're not here to talk.

I was grinning like a Loon, here I am, on Lanzarote in all my Weltmeisterin splendour on my sparkly new bike kitted out with top notch pro components, does it get any better than this.

"You look like the cat got the pigeon Hen,” Josh told me as I slipped alongside on my way forward.
"New bike, sunshine.”
"Aye, better than damp Tyneside like, thats for sure,” he agreed.
"So, what do you reckon?” I asked pointing down at my steed.
"Its certainly eyecatching.”
"You think?” I grinned.
"Might be useful in the pack,” he opined, “distract the opposition with all the bling as if you aren't distracting enough.”
"Change,” Mum hollored.

It was only as I came alongside Tina that his last words connected with my grey matter, 'as if you aren't distracting enough,' what's that supposed to mean?

 
Maddy Bell © 02.03.2021