Sunday 28th February

The forecast was bad, very bad, but Simon, Steve and Chris ventured out in the heavy rain and strong winds. In the end it was better than expected but other things took their toll on this week's small group.

The route took us out towards Hannington for the first climbs of the day and then turned west to, Overton and St Mary Bourne and our now favourite Stoke Hill before heading to The Chutes and then turning north to arrive home via Linkenholt and Faccombe.

As usual the sign sprints got going early, Steve sneaked away to get the Old Burgclere sign and then there was a full sprint for Sydmonton, won by Chris. His last showing of the day apart from the Stoke sign as he was complaining of feeling energy-less after a "bad" chili con carne the night before. The same chili had also affected Steve and Simon, but was clearly brushed off by Steve who remained strong throughout the ride.

Simon had shown good form in the sprints after Overton and towards St Mary Bourne as he pushed the pace to drop the other two as he practiced the speed he needs for an event next weekend. Sadly though, shortly after Stoke Hill he had to make a dash for home and apparently descended into Hurstbourne Tarrant at 45mph such was his need! No more details, but in the end his wife was called to the rescue!

Chris and Steve soldiered on and made a wrong turn adding a few miles and another climb to the route. At the highest point, Chute Causeway, Chris punctured. The wind was cold and the tube was swapped quickly but not before both of them lost the feeling in their hands.

There was a resolve to push on homeward after this unfortunate event and Steve pedalled away from Chris on the climbs only to take a wrong turn and be beaten home by him. Chris had assumed he had been (quite rightly!) left to fend for himself in view of his suffering.

The route felt like over 60 miles but was only 55 and 2500 feet of climbing.

Next week the group go their separate ways; Chris and Simon to a two-up team time trial in Southam and Steve to the Evans Wallingford Sportive. Pete is now out for a few weeks after keyhole surgery on his knee. All were Amazed he had walked into the pub unaided on the Friday night - you can't keep Pete from his beer!