Sunday 4 April 2010. Steve Newman Wins The Espresso Classic.

Adi, Steve Newman (guest appearance), Scots "Al" - in shorts (newcomer), Julian & Nathan Colman (who are related), Ron Fisher, the Glynn-Deane CC (motto "We care so you don't have to"), Ben Mickleburgh, Paul Callow, Peter Stephenson-Wall, Jonathan "Faster and Further Please" Howe & Stephen "The pen is definitely mightier than the Legs" Hill set off, at a modest pace, in the direction of Risby, Cavenham and points very slightly north of west. I turned off at Tuddenham and headed through Herringswell to Kentford, then Gazely, towards Higham but turned right, along the lovely road through to Barrow (currently a series of potholes tenuously linked by threads of damaged tarmac). With a total of only 40 miles, I felt that I had done the bare minimum. Later, I discover that I've not done much less than the rest of the ride - just even slower. Hardly enough to justify being slumped in front of the Malaysian GP, that's for sure.

The peleton carried on to Newmarket for tea, then home via Warren Hill, (a.k.a. 'The Gallops') Primrose Hill and Barrow. In the gallop for the Bury sign, Steve Newman took top honours, ahead of some other blokes (look, I can only work with what I'm given,OK?) making his ride worthwhile.
SJH

Wednesday 31 March 2010.

Jonathan, Tiger Tony, Ron Fisher, Tom-Tom and (ever so slightly late, due to last minute puncture; a tribute to his preparedness that it made him no later than "almost on time") Justin. It was cold. It was wet at times. It was windy. Two of us were tired. The other tired one was Tony, who was more a Tired Teddy than a Tiger Tony and only lasted as far as Felsham (however far that was - we didn't exactly go directly).
I hung on, with difficulty, especially on any climbs - and it wasn't by any means a taxing course. Tea stop was Hollowtrees where Justin charmed a couple of large friendly ladies of a certain age, while he was hanging small items of clothing on the fire guard (not his 'smalls' however). The LFLs told him how wonderfully slim he was, and Justin thanked them for not calling him 'skinny'
"Oh no, you're not that" they cried,
"you're still big where it counts"
It turned out that the LFLs still worked, though of pensionable age,
"What do you do?" we asked.
"We help care for people with learning difficulties" they said.
"Explains why you like talking to us" quipped Justin.
Gails of laughter.
Exit five ageing cyclists into the grey cold outdoors to follow a TT special route which began with the descent of Semer Hill, then left and right across the B1115 to Ash Street, Naughton, Gt Bricet, round the edge of Wattisham Airfield to Ringshall and Battisford, then Jack's lane (where we paused to give Jonathan a brief introduction to punctures and tube-changing) to Gt Finborough and home. Only 45 miles, but I felt exhausted.
SJH