6@6.30 Training Ride 16th April 2021

There were a few first’s on yesterday evening's training ride.

First time we've started at 6.30, first time  for four rider’s, first time we've had three groups and first time this year we've been able to go to the pub after. 

Group one  was a strongish 4-up, regulars Rich and Ant with becoming regular Simon S and newish member but experienced cyclist Chris. Over the years Andy has probably been the easier training rides most regular participant and he was very keen to to lead a easy group so he was next off with Alison, new to through and off Ben, Simon R and very experienced Fozzy in support. The last group with your’s truly was returning to the ride Colin, first timer’s for a training ride Becky and Jo plus experienced Stockport Dave supporting.

We were lucky with cool but good conditions, our group worked very well together especially considering Becky and Jo were new to it. There were no missed turns Siddington - Siddington, which were called at roughly two minutes as usual. Good steady work meant that by Chelford we had Andy’s group ahead in our sight’s and on Congleton Lane with Becky on the front they were pulled in and the pass was made.

A few minutes later Jo put in a good turn on the draggy up bit after cow sh1t corner to Siddington 💪. So it was Colin doing the first shift up Pexhill and things had been going so well I thought we might be able to keep things altogether however as often happens we didn’t quite manage that. Becky was on the front for the ramp past Bubblytex 💪 with me taking over for the push past Dark Lane but unbeknown to us it had broken up behind. I had heard Andy shouting orders to his troops like a general who was staying well behind the lines away from the action at the front and sure enough Fozzy and Ben jumped Dave, Col and myself  at an opportune moment before the top with Ben getting the better of Fozzy for the final push to the finish👏. Becky was next up having kept in contact with the final action and Jo just a few seconds back. Of course whilst that was going on the fab four first group were already drifting towards the very convenient Pack Horse Inn.

It’s never the same two weeks on the run, if we have a similar turnout next time which would be great we will try and mix it up a bit so everyone get’s to ride with different people. There’s plenty of reason’s to keep training and topping up your bike fitness with an exiting cycling season in the offing. The 10’s then the Hillclimb series are starting shortly and that’s just the club events.