Rumourmill version of the weekend - 02-06-2008
Well that was probably the hardest thing I have done for a while. No not riding the sportive, but simply the act of getting 8 West Kenters together for the starting line of the sportive. The instructions seemed easy enough - meet at 7am at the car park. Mark Beckett fancied a lie in though so plan A out of the window.
OK - all signed on and ready to go? Nope just a chance to alter handlebars for Steve. Great - we off then? Where has Mark B gone? Oh - he is taking his jacket off - will be here soon. Oh, great here comes the rain just as we are about to start.
So we roll out gently. Whoosh and Terry flies down the road. "Come on I have a time to do". First sprint of the day.
The first check point is reached and as fuel is taken on board, Terry does the dirty on us. Several of the club are watering the bushes when he shoots off up the road. Mayhem ensues as bikes are grabbed with a Le Mans style dash.
The next thirty miles are pure hell. Hill after hill after hill. Legs being sapped of strength and declining energy levels. Only fifty miles done and Mark Beckitt declares he is spent. Mile after mile of hills, speedy descents with gravel raked corners. Pain in the legs, pain in the shoulders, declining energy levels. And still only 60 miles done. That second check point seems so far away.
Thankfully the second chekpoint is reached. Rumourmill has a smile on his face as he has just passed Terry on the climb to the checkpoint. Terry has just had his first puncture. Masses of fluid and energy foods are taken on board. If we are to finish now is the time to stock up. And one by one we slowly regroup at the feed stop. First Mark Morrision appears, then Terry and then Mark Beckitt. Terry is still after his time and shoots of while the three of us decide to ride together.
Five miles later and there is a West Kent top by the road with another puncture. Terry is all smiles as we ride up to him. Despite instructions to ride past and wave we decide to stop as he declares he has no spare tubes. And as we change his puncture David Hills sails past.
This group of four stayed together to the end despite changing another puncture and a wheel for a passing lady motorist.
Mick Hardy is first to finish out of all the West Kenters taking part. He has been fuelled by six pints of beer the night before. He is followed by David Hills, then the group of four roll in. And finally with a big drum roll Mr Steve Rivett rolls on through the finish line.
Cue back slapping, handshakes and the declaration from Mark Beckitt that he will be back next year. The rest seem less sure :-)
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