Weekend of 12/13th December

A depleted team out this weekend but two good rides all the same. Saturday was up over the Wayfarers ridge at Kingsclere and then some fun lanes descending to Overton and back up over the ridge to Sydmonton, 1600 feet in all. The full “Tourmalet” team started put Pete punctured early on and decided to turn back as he wasn’t 100%. Some fast riding and attacks uphill at almost race pace at times, dodging the inconvenient arrival of the odd car travelling in the opposite direction. It rained as usual but only a light shower as we completed our 32miles.
On Sunday, Chris, Steve and Simon were out again but slightly later following a party the night before, finishing for most at nearly 2am. The route went up to Marsh Benham and through Bagnor to Winterbourne and then up the valley towards Lambourn. This route really is a “sign sprinters” playground with about 6 village signs in as many miles. There was a memorable sprint for the Welford sign. Steve went early, followed by Simon. I managed to keep his wheel and then eased past them both to “take” the sign but the effort took me to a new level of pain! Steve got most of the other signs, which Simon and I decided to not contest, spoilsports but saving vital energy. Then we were struck with punctures again, despite the so called puncture proof tyres. First it was Simon, an impressively quick repair was followed by him shearing off the valve, just for the sake of a little bit more air (a moral there somewhere). After replacing the second tube, we were on our way again, only for Steve to puncture on an exposed windy stretch of road at the farthest point from home which cooled us down again. Off we set to head back for lunch and were soon travelling at speeds up to 31mph, but mainly “cruising” at 22mph+. Poor Steve developed mechanical trouble with the front changer keeping him on the small ring. Not the thing to happen as Simon and I tried to outpace one another. Simon remained “frisky” to the end and powered away at times. I put one last effort in on a climb only to regret it afterwards. I wasn’t sad to turn off towards home and ride back leisurely with Steve. Just under 40 miles covered and yet again I got around puncture free (not bragging though - just an observation!).