Report by Ride Captains
Group 1 & 2 Report, Michael Blann
Despite the weather, 2 punctures and a few route deviations we had our longest and best ride yet. Inspired by the presence of Russell Downing (Team Sky) the tempo was pretty quick from the start which was largely down to Flash (Steve J) and the Pearson boys doing the big turns on the front (that man Dave has got the biggest legs by far!). By Didcott we sadly said farewell to a few riders who decided the pace of the following group was more to their liking. From here on, the group settled down sharing the pace setting to the bottom of the climb up to Hindhead but that didn’t last long before the mountain goats (“pocket rocket Blann”, Cameron, Flash and Russ) set off in search of the top. It’s fair to say the ride captains proved the Specialized bike was up to scratch!
After a quick refuel at the garage and with the sun starting to dry out the roads it was a rapid decent off the top on towards Elstead at 25mph before a detour off into the Surrey Hills again and the climb up over Coombe Bottom to really sap any last energy from the legs. All that was left was the roll/race back to Walton and coffee. My 2 punctures cost me a round but that was fair game for using Veloflex tyres on such a wet day! School boy error - doh!
Lesson learned for G1 – need to keep the pace high and the distance long to get in shape for riding in G1 for L2P – it’s only going to get faster.
Michael
Group 3 Report, David Kirkby
Not a perfect ride, lessons learnt, skills improved and muscles and fitness on the up.
G3 set off with the largest bunch; we paid the price with several punctures with 60+ riders causing a few delays. With a raining start hard to avoid, new tyres for the event is your best bet to avoid this occurring. Our virgin Ride Captain Michael Attenborough “ Doc” did a great job of rounding up the puncture inflicted and getting them home.
Recruiting some pace setters and settling the bunch into a rhythm took a while, this is the benefit of these training rides, thanks to those riders helping out. Having ridden the Surrey hills for several years I thought I knew the best routes, however a minor change of plan led by Geoff or Jeff, who was local to the area, showed us another way home. The return route was great with a new climb up half penny hill and through the small village of Blackheath. Targeting a return by 1.00pm we made it within a few minutes.
Lesson learned for G3, keep the bunch together on rolling terrain by having good pace setting, ride the down hills (no coasting) this keeps the following riders off the breaks and obey the roads rules especially in a big bunch. Apologies if we lost one or two riders along the way as the bunch was very large.
A solid ride at good pace, well done G3
David “ Capt”
Group 4 Report, Will Watts
First dedicated group 4 ride captained by both David and myself.
With just 2 months to the event, our goal was to try and ride 120km at the average speed for group 4 of 26 kph, balanced with keeping the group together and motivated.
The full Devil’s Punch Bowl loop was our chosen route, offering a great balance that mirrors the terrain of much of the L2P route.
(A great lesson for the rider who thought Northern France is pan flat!)
Route was well pre planned by David and recorded on his ‘navigation system’ (you just can’t beat pencil and paper!).
..Rumour has it that David was so thorough that he viewed every section of the route, frame by frame, on Google Street View..now that is commitment!
Most of the group had not ridden more than 100km this year, so it was going to be a challenge for most, but would set a useful bench mark in their training schedule.
Our group of just 12 riders all rose to the challenge admirably; just one rider who was consistently off the pace, shepherded by David for much of the ride. With hindsight and despite his ambition we should have transferred him to group 5 at the Hogs Back.
Critically all came well prepared for the day in terms of equipment, clothing and nutrition; except for the one rider who had a puncture, the only rider who came without a tube or pump!
All showed great discipline while riding in the group. We had just the one faller; speed and distance between riders misjudged on a fast bend. Thankfully no injury; always reassuring when more concern is shown for damage to the bike!
The great thing with both incidents is that it provides opportunity to educate the riders on best practice.
Only one guide mistake, but it did result in retracing our route back up a climb; Alison will never forgive me!
Despite some shocking and indiscriminate road rage from a few drivers (it was noted that the respect shown to cyclist’s in France is a joy), the group rolled back to Walton together, set up for the Pearson’s Sportive next month.
Group 5 Report, Rebecca Charlton
Sunday’s group 5 ride was a fun-filled, jolly affair as always. Despite numerous punctures, a minor pile up and a broken spoke the group retained their smiles and motivation throughout!
Murph and I were, once again, delighted to see the progress of the group who just keep amazing us with their dedication and fitness which just keeps improving month on month.
We were lucky enough to be joined by James Booth of Specialized who did his fair share of puncture repairs whilst keeping everyone laughing with his cheeky banter!
I have to apologize to everyone for the torrential down-pour which I attribute to the fact that I e-mailed several ladies in my group to say that it was going to be 21 degrees of un-interrupted sunshine! Like most, I turned out in a jersey and shorts and resorted to a hand dryer in Carluccio’s to try to blast off some of the rain before the start of the ride! Luckily though, the weather improved throughout and as always we all enjoyed a fantastic morning of miles.
Thanks to everyone for another great spring ride – see you next time! Rebecca x
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