by Marek » Sat May 25, 2013 5:37 pm
First time out for a while and decided to ride in the 18s I think. I say I think as I could not work out what the earlier groups that went out were meant to be. Anyhow, we had fair sized group with Mark on his Tri Bars and Brian R doing most of the towing. Met Analize???? I think who is going to be racing tomorrow so she was riding with 18s instead of 19s. Also met Paul Hones mate who was riding Pauls old bike, nice guy who is gradually building up strength with the aim to race in the near future.
A steady pace out of CSS and the steps were taken at a reasonable pace so no one looked to be in too much bother. I did comment to Brian on the vocal nature of the ride, does seem to be a lot of shouting which I was quite surprised about, don't tend to get so much of that in the speedier groups as most people tend to just point things out instead of hollering (probably because they are breathing out of every orafice), but each to their own. Brian then made the effort to shout out everything as loud as he could in my ear.
After Reigate we picked up young Matt who also put in some good turns on the front, could see he has a bit of form as he was just pulling away from us without too much effort on the inclines. As we got to the hill just before Rusper Matt and Brian started to wind things up a bit so I pulled up next to Matt and we hammered it over the hill, then Mark came flying by on his Tri bars so I jumped onto his wheel and he led me out for the Rusper sign. After a regroup we tapped around the lanes in the run up to Charlwood. The pace started to pick up a bit as we got closer and Mark, Brian and Matt came past in a train so I jumped on as they wound it up a bit more. Just before the last corner I wound up the legs and managed to get past them but had gone quite early. Thought I was clear and then saw Matt on my wheel spinning his junior gears like a nutcase, I just about pipped him to the line but man was I shocked to see him on my wheel, excellent stuff. He is defo one to watch for the future.
Good coffee and chat and then back over to Boxhill with another big group. Pretty steady ride over to Box Hill with Rich Buekner putting in most of the work on the front at a good steady tempo. When we got to the hill a few guys hammered it off the front. I tried to go with them but the legs were not too pleased about playing at that speed so I then tried to hold onto Antloony. He went past me quite quick so I decided to try and peg him. He then looked to tire a bit after the second hairpin so I went past him and thought that is the last I will see of him. I was wrong, the Venge came shooting past me on the last straight and again my legs were pretty much done.
Headed back to East Grinstead via Reigate, a cool but sunny 125km in the legs.
Cheers for the company really enjoyed it today.
Marek.....