Reliability trial report - 09-01-2012
West Kent reliability trial, 8th January 2012.
I am writing this report firstly to congratulate all those who helped make this such a good ride this year, by my understanding we had just on 100 entries (and an impressive Old Portlians turnout) also good weather (bad memories of marshalling at Clackets Lane and shouting “black ice” ahead then listening for the screams as riders fell still haunt me!!).
Good quick signing on by our rider welcoming committee and groups being sent off from 9 am onwards.
We had a well designed circuit with a few challenging climbs…..for this time of year, good signposting, though Eddie agrees that the yellow arrow tends to fade into the background, personally I would have bright red flashing arrows…..maybe we could nick some off the motorway maintenance teams….they never seem to be there to do the work anyway………ooh bitchy Terence!!
The marshals were in the correct places, though the two on top of Ide Hill looked like a couple of lemons also our Star Hill marshals, Steve Rivett and Paul Elliman were “offering” to doctor the cards for cash……allegedly.
We had a few West Kenters competing, I was waiting to go around with Mick Hardy and Jenny Hunt but they never seemed to want to start and me being a train driver, well punctuality is my middle name.
I spent a lot of time riding alone into the wind finally being caught by a good VC Elan group plus others and stayed with them to the finish, makes one realize that riding alone as unfortunately I seem to do a lot of gives a false reading of how well one is really going, I said to Laurie I thought I was at 70 per cent of peak fitness and after finishing I changed that to 60 per cent……oh but I just love Christmas pudding and a bit of wine, some beer, cakes, any food really!!
Talking of food, after finishing, the tea bar was doing a roaring trade, with Matthew Reuter running the show with help from Alex and a young lady the name of I do not know (sorry). A really good selection of cakes and rolls on show, I think they did a great job.
Of course because this was not labelled a sportive, Cycling Weekly wouldn’t advertise it and their readers will have missed out on a really good, well organised and well priced day……… it’s their loss!
Next week it’s the turn of the Bexley CC, though I vowed never to return after being disqualified for cheating one year!! Also I hope we show a decent presence at the Old Portlians ride on the 5th February I believe…….we owe them!
Terry Sowa.
more news articles...
