Only thirteen riders made the start for this week’s 136Km club ride. Many were probably put off by Barry’s pessimistic weather forecast that was made when the ride was planned on Wednesday. But luckily for us by Saturday, the rain that was predicted never really came.

We headed off westwards in two pelotons. Group one being led by the watt monster that is Robert S. He was putting in the usual massive efforts but not getting the usual rewards in speed, so some investigatory work was required. It transpired that his brake was permanently rubbing. This could be partially forgiven had he just started but as he had put in his normal ninety minutes before the club ride and ridden from Brock to Burley like that, he becomes the latest inductee into the barrel this week.

Group two was not without issue. Despite the written warning last week about talking golf on the club ride Smithy was at it again this week. He has been issued a final warning that if this is repeated or if he turns up for a club ride in a Pringle sweater, Farah slacks and one glove he will be banned Sine Die.

The first leg of the ride at around 80Km was a long way to the coffee stop at The Absent Pony in Brockenhurst. There were some parched and grumpy cyclists by the time we arrived.

After coffee some of the riders didn’t realise that Barry had Enforced Family Fun duties and was cutting short and mistakenly followed him rather than the main group. They’re so used to sucking his wheel all day it is just learned behaviour for some of the group.

A dose of lollygagging at Milkham Junction with riders pausing for a debate over whether to take on the second loop. Of all people, it was Green Shorts Graham who managed to turn four nays into five ayes. Smithy took the opportunity to head home rather than seek additional hills.

Everyone got excited when Phil J dismounted at The Lamb Inn thinking a plumber was finally getting a round in, but it turned out he was just checking their pipework and getting some more water. Graham took an absolute hero turn and wouldn’t let anyone take the front back across the airfield into the attritional wind that was back to the more normal westerly this week we were battling all day. His work done he then diverted home at the bottom of Bolderwood, Phil J, Paul C, Adrian F, and Phill B all finished the full route, with some heading off to tick off another 100-mile Saturday.
– Phill B and Barry