Words by Steve Jackson
Photos by Angus Thompson
Like all good sporting events you have to run a dress rehearsal to iron out any last minute issues and blow away any cobwebs from the last time you used the ribbons, banners, and blow up hands, or radios in this case.
So the London-Paris Stage 1 recce from Imber Court, East Mosely to Dover, 168k and 1700m ride, would involve the L2P support team plus 20 carefully handpicked individuals chance to ride the course with the full rolling road, motorcycle out riders from NEG, lead car and radios for the Ride Captains, (a first for me "over").
A brief rundown of the day "Steve you’re the lead RC for the day", thanks Sven! "But remember group 3 pace.
“Ok,” I said. And for those that don't know I'm leading Group 1 for this year’s ride and I only have 2 speeds at the moment On or OFF!
Now with the speed dial turned down as much as it would go, off we went.
All is going well 40k in with James my fellow Ride Captain bringing up the rear! He is also letting me know when we had anyone of the back (normally at the longer rolling hills).
Sven also has a radio but I can’t hear what he is saying over the heavy breathing "Over".
Lunch stop at Lamberhurst at 90 kilometres, which is perfect, great lunch, and a few beers for some...! Followed by a big, and I mean, big birthday cake for James, he is nearly 20...!
Off we go for part two of the final and maybe harder second part of Stage One. Having been reminded that this should be Group 3 pace by Jane, Sven and Nick, and not the avg 31k so far! (The finger of PAIN should be pointing at Ian from Sigma and Sean from Mavic, two of our sponsors along for the ride but no one believes me...!)
Now with the anchor fully down from after lunch, all the riders that want to come up and take a turn do so, but now the pace starts picking up again but not from me, the 20 strong have started pushing themselves. I would keep asking if everyone is ok, and back would come the reply "yes Flash" and "this is the fastest I have ridden in a group but I'm loving it!"
The last 20k is super fast and the group is working together really well, with some big turns coming from some.
We miss the Clio and the Golf at the never-ending roundabout...!
Capel Le Fern is not that bad a climb but it does not help that it also sounds like a Cat 1 climb from the Tour, as the fear spreads back through the group as I point to the monster of the day up-ahead!
No sooner had I put my hand down the group strings out, for those who have some legs left, they attack the beast full speed, (as a note this climb is in three sections so take it easy on the first, then the other sections will be easier).
My lead out man has just blown up so I'm left to attack "Mr. Coke Cola” but my legs think better of it after a hard windy ride, just as I sit down and change down to the granny ring, one of the Group 3 riders goes flying past me like I'm standing still... who I had witness with a beer and fag at lunch...! This IS The London-Paris 2010. Welcome.
