club run

[Alan M]

Well, I seem to feel better riding the Colnago!!

The 19 group started out quite large but the various people racing tomorrow reduced the speed to a just about manageable 20.8 mph on the outward leg. I lost it a bit on the hills and mistakenly did some work before a hill and got spat out, but we reformed for a through and off with 4 or 5 fewer riders.

The dual carriageway was steady at first but sped up to about 35mph for the latter stages, slowing down again for back lanes. Simon was strong and carried us a long way and bit by bit the group became fragmented. Suddenly Matt went for a long one and gained a pretty large gap. Simon drove hard with Steve, Ed and me behind and by the time we reached the aeroplane spotters Simon was fading and the gap wasn't closing. At this point I realised I had something left, enough to close half the gap; Steve and Simon followed and when my preordained collapse occurred, they closed in on mat and Steve took the sprint quite comfortably.

On the way back, I wanted a good work out and went off ahead - Rich and 1 other followed but rich rejoined the main group and I eventually made it to the church without being caught, not that I believe anyone was really trying.

Well, in for a penny ......... I rode away again after the church and by the drag had no idea whether I was being chased or not, content in my fantasy breakaway. Near the top of the drag I was joined by George with his happy smile and tucked in behind him for the best part of the ride back. With an average of 20.2 to Coulsdon we weren't caught probably 'cos we were pretty lucky with traffic lights on each occasion.

A good club ride - no rain and really good to see Gavin back after his enforced absence.

[-Adam-]

So Steve got the sprint ay... in my absence!

[Alan M]

Where were you - there was a TT in the opposite direction - were you part of that?

[Gavin]

Good to go back on the club run even though it did take me 2 hours to get to the cafe going straight there by turning right at Leigh.

oh well can't expect wonders.

Off to buy a new helmet now.

[-Adam-]

Raced at Hillingdon, nothing too spectatcular, 12th (no points ) but i did win the first prime so bagged myself a tenner

[Steve B]

Adam, well done on the Ayrton, teas on you next week at the cafe.

Alan, you were definately riding better yesterday on the Colnago. Thanks for the tea and cake (left money at home), I'll get you one next week - hang on, teas are on Adam next week. Funny how things work out eh?

Not much to ad to Alan's outward report really. Nice early break Matt, thought you were going to stay away. But for Simon and Alan's hard work you would have.

Ride back was good. Had a good chat with Dave K, who I'd never really talked to before - nice bloke.

Got dropped again up Merstham (I blame it on doing my first 2 x 20 fri night - tired legs) but the group didn't really push on over the crest so I managed to get back on fairly quickly. As usual a good fast pace down into Coulsdon where Monty bought me a coffee. I did well with no money


What a poor game of Football that was., but that's a whole other topic in itself! Yesterday 'FA' stood for 'F**k All' going on

Steve