Wot no reports yet
Well, there was only one sprinter in the club today, oh yeah and it wasn't Adam
Did the extra 25mins with Huw this morning, taking a loop up to Banstead and down on to the Chipstead valley rd, doubling my journey time to Coulsdon. Went in the 19 group and intended not to stop at the cafe, carrying on with a 30min loop and re-joining the groups again as they left the cafe for home. But this intention soon went pear shaped when the average speed started to creep above 20mph and I didn't much fancy not stopping for tea and cake.
The group rode well, with lots of changes at the front, but it wasn't a strict rotation, leaving it up to each individual to decide how long they wanted to stay at the helm. This worked quite well.
Up the Reigate steps Huw stepped in at the halfway point and held back the front half a dozen, as they were chomping at the bit and ready to explode and race off to the top. Well, this was supposed to be a good steady 19 pace
With the pace being a bit quick, and getting even quicker as we reached the trees before Partridge, I was a bit worried that we might drop someone. And we did, a group of 5 or 6 were about 70metres back. They looked to be ok and weren't dropping any further back so we carried on, hoping they would close the gap at some point. Well done to them, cos they did
For some reason I didn't fancy a balls out ding dong sprint today. Adam was looking strong and the thought of sprinting my guts out and getting beat by 'the only sprinter in the club' (again)( well,
again sounds like it happens all the time. Infact he may be 1 or 2 up), didn't appeal. So I turned to Adam and said I would lead him out. Into the final half mile, I got to the front and started increasing the pace. More and more I was winding it up, thinking Adam was on my wheel, but as I looked round it was someone else (Kevin). I kept the pace going and then sprinted when at the left kink in the road. I expected to hear the whooshing noise of another bikes tyres, but WAHAY
, no one came round
.
We were the first to the cafe so Huw suggested we do a short 5 mile loop to keep us warm and to get a few more miles in. This meant going round the block and coming back up the road to the sprint again. Crikey I didn't fancy doing another sprint. The first time round took enough out of me
. Adam was smarting from the first beating
and wanted sweet revenge. He jumped off the front, at the plane spotting area, taking Sylv with him. They were gone, and I couldn't be ar$ed to give chase. But Kevin did so I jumped on his wheel, encouraging him to close the big gap. Brilliant piece of work Kevin
. Coming up to the final sprint section and Adam looked behind. I gave him a "look who's here" kind of smile and sprinted past. Sylv went too but I just managed to hold him off
Tea and cake was double nice today
Left the cafe late again, meaning a long chase to catch up to the group.
I was feeling a little fatigued now
and started to worry about the rest of the ride and whether my legs would hold up. Up through the golf course Adam came flying past me, catching the front group, who had 50m, and took a good first to the top. My legs had gone, so I just span my way up and on to the church.
5mins rest did the trick and my legs were back
. Up the Merstham drag, 5 of us got away. Sylv led most of it and we all shared the rest down in to Coulsdon. I think I rode off the front at one point, which really pleased me
(or were the others taking it easy, probably
). Anyway, great ride again today. Same again next week Adam
Steve