No problem there Orv. The secret to staying on after your turn at the front is, basically, to get off the front a little bit earlier so you have enough in the tank to stay in the group whilst you recover.
Today was another trip out with the 17s. A fairly large group (13 I think) who all stayed together pretty well, even though it was a bit more ragged than I'd like (we need to ride in definite lines and closer to the wheel in front, gentlemen). But it wasn't bad for a group with at least 4 people who were new to group cycling in it. We took the Rusper extension (not up Hillybarn lane, we gambled that the ice would be less bad than 2 weeks ago) and I volunteered to lead out the sprint - ie I didn't have the legs, or more truthfully the lungs, for a sprint. That tactic seemed to work with the group spread along the road behind the lead out pair until after the (dangerous) last corner. After that I was fried just like the bacon in my delicious french stick at the cafe. We'd averaged just over 18mph to this point
, but not dropped anybody, and the feedback was positive. Note to those in the 16mph group - don't be afraid to step up to the 17mph group, we'll not drop you if you can sit in at 17mph average.
Good natter and nosh in the cafe, then I got toasted on the way back into the slightest of headwinds. More coffee and natter at Regelino's and a struggle home to a chip buttie and the sofa.
Bliss. Should I go mountainbiking tomorrow?