Todays ride wasn’t as
Todays ride wasn’t as frustrating as I’d imagined it was going to be. Everyone was warned there would be no lunch stop, no going back for stragglers, 85 miles at a steady zone 2, so anyone turning up knew what they were letting themselves in for.
9 started the ride, 3 dropped out at about 25 miles (seemed odd!), and the rest kept to plan pretty well. The owner of the bike shop I ride with had the most mechanicals I have ever experienced! Front tyre came off the rim twice, two punctures after that, stem bolts came loose and the handlebars rotated round on a climb and his shoe cleats came undone. I warned him about the dangers he put us fellow riders in, what with me nearly dieing laughing on several occasions, it was deemed best to take the piss just out of swinging range as his sense of humour was starting to leave him, obviously that was exposing an opportunity too good to miss!
The last 10 miles turned into a TTT but with a difference, I did an ITT and everyone else practiced there pacelines behind me, they were very good at it too.
We lost one man from that line at about 8 miles to go and never saw him again, but it had been agreed before hand that it was everyman for himself inside the last 10. All finished off in fine style with a 50+ mph descent of Streatley Hill…a nice 81 miles clocked in the end, and after Saturdays tough 90, I think it will be a gentle one hour spin tomorrow.