The Training Group’s Excellent Adventure
Report by Paul Hone
Every year the Training Group go away for a week’s cycling. Usually this is in Frejus in the French Riviera but this year for obvious reasons we had to settle for the Milford Hotel in Salisbury. Ashley Nunn, George Kingaby, Ben Keilty, Marek Siwicki, Tristan Young, Rick Balfour and Myself took part.
Stage 1 – Longleat
Day one was a late start after driving there. The route was just over 60 miles and included going through Longleat. As usual the pace was hard from the start which got too much for our time trial star Marek who got dropped after 15mins (he did do the club TT the night before).
After a regroup, off we go again only to be stopped by Marek again who said he was punctured but in the end was ok (punctures in the TG which miraculously cure themselves after a rest are quite common). Off we go again but only to lose a rider who missed a turning (yes it was Marek).
Finally we made it to a nice pub in Longleat who seemed reluctant to serve us. I had a burger which I soon regretted on the return trip and started to struggle. George and Ashley attacked on a hill created a gap and the rest of us didn’t see them until we got back to the Milf Hotel getting a minute on GC over the rest of us.
Each night I award a cup to a rider of the day which Marek won for being high maintenance (getting dropped, lost and pretend puncture).
Stage 2 – Isle of Wight
Day two was a trip around the island perimeter with Matt Halvatzis joining us for this one. This was probably the best ride of the trip with smooth roads and great views (we should do a Club Run there one day).
Marek was going a lot better today. He and Ashley split the group with 7 miles to go, forcing me to sprint across up a hill to join them (nearly giving myself a heart attack) and make a break of three to the end.
The cup was awarded to Ashley who was now the clear leader on GC.
Stage 3 – New Forest
This was another very scenic (but pacey) ride and included going through Rushmore Park. The rides were taking their toll now with just Ashley and me getting away on our own in the end over the plains. On the return with 10 miles to go, the lights went out for Marek who had to return in limp mode.
Rik won the cup today for his steely determination and keeping up with the group. Rik hasn’t been training much due to having his third baby, moving to Norfolk and only having inbreds to ride with now, so a worthy winner imo.
Stage 4 – Devizes & White Horse
More of the usual i.e. riding hard and trying to beat each other up.
On the return leg, while I was having a drink and shifting bottles around on my bike, when George broke the cyclist ethics code and attacked me. Fortunately I managed to get across to the weasel and got back to Salisbury with just Ashley & George today.
Marek was further back – fortunately he is a time trialist so likes riding on his own and had plenty of opportunities to do this on the trip.
Ben won the cup today. He was making big improvements each day and was only just behind us 3 at the front at the end.
Stage 5 – Dinton
This was advertised as the “Champs-Élysées” stage i.e. the GC was decided and it was to be a shorter more relaxed ride however it turned out like the rest of the rides.
Ashley, Myself and Tristan were the first three back today. Unfortunately for George he left his bottle at the café stop today which isn’t ideal when its 30c. Maybe it was karma for yesterday however be assured there is worse to come for him.
Ashley won the cup today as he was first on GC overall (although this is not really a race and GC is done just for a bit of fun) and clearly the strongest rider. The final leader board was:
- Ashley
- Captain Hone
- George
- Ben
- Tristan
- Marek/Rik
Overall, this was a very enjoyable trip away. The days were spent riding hard and the evenings were pretty full on eating and drinking with great company.
See you all next year lads (not at Salisbury though).
