Midweek riders report

A fairly moderate distance but very hilly route made for a very pleasant evening adventure. As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the landscape, five brave souls eagerly headed toward the hills, ready to tackle the challenges that lay ahead. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and camaraderie as we set off early in the evening, eager to embrace the rugged terrain and the beauty of nature.Leigh Fellows and Rich Green were far out in front, setting a brisk pace that pushed the limits of our endurance. Meanwhile, I found myself alongside Crocket David Alcock and Simon, who were doing their best to keep up with the leaders. We all stayed together for a while, sharing laughter and stories, but as the serious climbing began, the dynamics of the group shifted. Rich, feeling the strain of the ascent, started to look for excuses, mentioning a wrong cassette choice and a tight hamstring, yet surprisingly, neither of these complaints seemed to slow him down significantly. As we continued our climb, the beautiful scenery around us became a welcome distraction from the physical exertion.

By the time we reached the top of Stile Cop, poor Simon, who had been pushing himself hard, jokingly remarked that he felt like he was back in Wales, reminiscing about the challenging climbs he had faced in that region. With the hardest part behind us, we began our descent, heading back toward home. The route took us along the Wimblebury Road climb, a section that is notorious for its relentless inclines that just keep on giving, demanding every ounce of energy we had left.

As we flew down towards Five Ways, the adrenaline surged through my veins, and I pushed myself to empty the tanks, reaching speeds of 25 to 30 mph all the way back to the turf. It felt exhilarating, and I could hardly believe how fast we were moving. Glancing back, I was surprised to see the ever-reliable Leigh Fellows sticking to my wheel like glue, demonstrating his impressive stamina and determination. We powered on together, but soon Leigh began to slowly gap me, showcasing his superior speed and endurance. I was completely spent, feeling the fatigue settle in as we approached the bridge roadworks, which held us up for three to four minutes. This brief pause allowed the group to regroup, and we all came together again over the old bridge, making our way up to the fingerpost.

In a burst of energy, I held back momentarily, then managed to execute a jump sprint on Leigh and Rich, breaking free and taking the sprint victory. It was a satisfying moment, especially since my sciatica seemed to have faded, allowing me to push myself harder than I had in recent weeks. The thrill of the ride and the sense of achievement filled me with motivation, making me eager to improve further.

So, how about the same time next week, guys? I’m already looking forward to it! NEXT WEEK, THE MORE THE MERRIER. Let’s gather more riders and make it an even more memorable adventure as we tackle those hills again, sharing the experience and pushing each other to new heights!