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.