Yes, a good ride today, I really enjoyed it
I was ready to take, or join, an 18 group this morning, but as I pulled in to CSS Monty asked if I would take a 19 group, as there were already 2 18's vc's.
Me, Adam, Rob H, Simon, Paul D and Brian N set off in a nice little compact group, with all intentions of sticking to the said speed. Simon asked if we were going to stick to the steady pace and I assured him we would
That was until Paul had a puncture under the M25 bridge, where we were overtaken by all the remaining groups while fixing it.
So with half a dozen groups ahead of us we gave chase to try and regain our original position as 2nd group off. A tall order indeed
. We didn't really push that hard but the average speed crept to 20. All but one group was in the bag and we were going along nicely with Rob H and Adam doing most of the work up front. I kept checking to see if everyone was happy to keep pushing on, as this was supposed to be a 19 group. A quick chat to Simon showed he was struggling a tad (heavy weight session the previous day), so I pulled the reigns in a touch, riding the rest of the way to the cafe at the 'correct' pace. Don't know what Rob was on today, he didn't like the thought of slowing so just rode of in to the distance. It was the last we saw of him. What happened Rob?
On the road through the trees before the left turn on to the sprint road, my head warmer slipped down and was partially covering my eyes. Not good I thought, especially when the speed picks up, so sitting up i had to take off one glove and glasses, and try to poke it back up behind my helmet - not easy but job done
.
Paul did the honourable job of picking up the pace for the sprint. Adam was just in front of me. He left it late to make a push for the line, only sprinting at about the left kink in the road. I came alongside and we were neck and neck for about half way, but I was no match for Adam today as he pulled out a bike's length. I was quite pleased with that actually
Big queue in the cafe with most groups taking the Partridge turn and getting there before us. Tea and cake always good though.
Now this week I didn't leave the cafe last, so no TT'ing back to the group. Or so I thought
. Small group 40m or so ahead but no problem, I'll catch them easily. B*ll*cks, Sylv, Kevin, Graham and others were all in that group, cracking out a really quick pace and I found myself in no mans land trying to get on. I wasn't making much ground so looked behind to see what was happening there. As it happened, for the last few minutes I had been towing a group of about 10, all strung out in a line, all trying to get back on the front group. Finally I managed to back on, I was knackered
The pace just kept on going with most doing a share on the front. It was really great to see Alex mixing it in the fast group, and he looked strong too until his hand came out of his glove and he had to stop.
I couldn't keep with the pace up through the golf course, my legs and lungs just weren't having it. But with a puff on the old ventolin inhaler at the church, I was ready for the Merstham drag, which turned out to be another fast paced all out affair with Sylv and Adam sharing the work up the drag and me chipping in with one effort on the way down the other side. Nice work guys
Really pleased with the ride today and even more pleased that my lungs haven't been suffering the rest of today
Not sure why, but hey I'm not complaining
Steve