Sunday 27th we had local rides, a group at Herne Hill Velodrome and another group on the Kingston Phoenix adventure, read on! A slightly earlier photo…
Jeff Walker: “It was great, probably 30 years since I last raced at HH and it all came flooding back, albeit at a lot slower pace but still with burning lungs! Wayne showed his inner racer and fitness winning the Australian Pursuit. We both enjoyed a couple of wins in the four man pursuit – I was glued to wheels and hanging on for dear life (as is the norm now). For an introduction to track riding it was perfect with some basic ”tips and try” type laps. Even for those with some experience, a little bit of competition allowed everyone to get properly into the afternoon”.
Wayne: “I agree with Jeff! It’s 3/4 years since I was there and it was great to go back, if anyone fancies a try there’s the Saturday skills session anyone can do. I’m keen to go again”.
“Five intrepid Oxted riders joined the Reliability Ride today. Trying to avoid having to read printed directions and get the route onto a Garmin proved to be a problem for a couple of us initially but we got there in the end!
So, five of us had the route on various Garmin devices and promptly turned right leaving the start at Holmwood Village Hall instead of left much to amusement of other riders, not a good start for team Oxted!
Six miles in and we had our first puncture, or at least Duncan did, great. This turned out to be a Godsend as in fact we had missed a turning by 100 yards, this is going to be a long day. Slime! What a saviour, as Duncan readied to change the tube he mentioned there was Slime in the offending one. Pump it up we said, pump it up he did and it lasted the remainder of the ride and probably will all winter, brilliant.
There were 6 notable hills on the route, some of them I knew, Leith and Box, some of them I didn’t, Whitedown Lane, Ranmore Common and Shere but the conditions were good and Pete’s brand new Garmin said ‘GO’ at the approach to each one so we knew when they were coming.
56 miles and 4,500 ft. of climbing some of which we had to double back on ourselves (correctly this time) but I saw some of the country I hadn’t seen before and in great Oxted company. Thank you Bill, Duncan, Pete and Andrew”.
Here’s a link to their ‘Relive’ moving map: HERE
Saturday 26th saw three groups head off on a chilly but dry day. Toby’s T1 team consisted of Gavin and Jo, Jane, Pat, Jeanette and Max. Said Toby “The route was a mixture of previous rides that I have been on and circles Oxted so you can always opt out and turn back. The route is just over 25 miles and was enjoyable for all those who took part”.
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