Report by David Kirkby (Ride Captain, Group 3)
Photos by Angus Thompson
The final Spring Ride before the big event was a huge success, cyclists took over the start point in Walton-on-Thames and everyone seemed intent on getting in those last few miles of training.
Group 3's 130km and 28km average was bang on target.
Group 3 is starting to look like a peloton with some discipline emerging from the ranks. We set sail without our "Zappy" our trusty sensible ride captain, leaving the bunch with the old bloke to wheel the pack.
Off to the Surrey hills and byways via an extended Farnham loop and long climb up Hindhead's backside (sounds bad but a quality climb really) seeing some stronger riders open the jets (could be group 1-2 riders the pace they went uphill !) A minor crash, just a liitle bump, a broken front derailer (well done Nicole for riding a small change ring all the way home) and one flat tyre at the petrol station stop, saw for a quality ride with a stiff tail wind on the homeward leg.
The pace was solid, no one was dropped and we had several fast sections on the way home. We did lose a few strong boys who shot off the front towards Esher as we turned via a little shortcut to Walton (hope they are still not riding!)
Everyone finished well which bodes well for the L2P in just a few days !
Capt.
