It was only Peter, TomTom and I who decided at the last minute that we might go out for a gentle 'pootle', to return with the brisk (14 - 17 mph) westerly wind, possibly from La Hogue.We went via Beyton, west parallel to A14, past the Plant Nursery and through the Rougham Estate past Blackthorpe Barn (where there was much Christmas activity already - car park attendants in their huge hi-vis coats, even the odd Tree being carried to a waiting car) then through to Nowton.
Some ingenious moves wound us through to Horrringer, Westley crossroads and up to Barrow - where we met the full force of the 15mph wind on the ascent. From Barrow through Moulton and Kentford . . . to La Hogue, and the prospect of a wind assisted return trip. Just as we were savouring the first sips of tea and nibbles of scone - il Cappuccini arrived. Barry came and sat at our table; I assured him that, despite appearances, we were not in any way a renegade unofficial club run. We were merely three like-minded cyclists who happened to have discovered a degree of congruence in our intentions of a Sunday morning. I think it possible that all I succeeded in doing was to convince our chairman (Barry St Edmunds) that I was barking.
We left just ahead of The Ride, I had turned my wheel round to raise my gear from 66" to 72"
- fending off the usual banter about the length of time it takes to change gear and other hilarious observations concerning the invention of multiple gear systems - so that I could maximise the benefit of a tailwind. As is usual, we turned left at the end of the road to La Hogue to Chippenham (incidentally, this road does continue to the A11 enabling the brave to join the Norwich-bound carriageway at a T junction. Before the dualling, it was possible to cross the A11 and continue in a straight line to Moulton. But what's the point of short cuts, when we're trying to cover as many miles as possible, as opposed to merely reaching a destination. For the sake of the argument I'm ruling out Café stops as destinations) In Chippenham we turn right (east) along the little lane that joins the road from Freckenham to Red Lodge (which has turned into something resembling Toytown). As we left Toytown we caught a glimpse of a group of riders crossing from right to left. It was il Cappuccini, who must have taken the alternative route (I won't bore you with a description - it's a dull choice) which put them about a quarter mile ahead of us. The inevitable happened (TomTom would say that it was in no way an inevitability since I am an adult capable of exercising free will) and I gradually increased our pace (a less aggressive term than speed) until the group ahead very gradually came closer. It can be very hard to gauge how quickly (or not) one is catching up with other riders until they are within a couple of hundred yds. Then it is important to only go as fast as is necessary to maintain the rate of gain. Quite absorbing really, in an incredibly boring sort of way. Before we reached Tuddenham we were upon them. First group of four or five at the back, neat and compact, then Barry with John Dumont, then another three, then ones and twos further ahead. A classic Wheelers clubrun, at a disorganised point in the ride. All rides get these moments, it can be fatigue, inattention or a mismatch of abilities. We lightheartedly joshed them as we passed, mainly the old chestnut about riding "all over the road" or "four abreast". I can't remember the last time I was in a group that caught, passed and rode away from another. OK they were the more mature in their attitude, but hey! It was a blast. We turned left to Lackford and never saw them again.
SJH
We left just ahead of The Ride, I had turned my wheel round to raise my gear from 66" to 72"
- fending off the usual banter about the length of time it takes to change gear and other hilarious observations concerning the invention of multiple gear systems - so that I could maximise the benefit of a tailwind. As is usual, we turned left at the end of the road to La Hogue to Chippenham (incidentally, this road does continue to the A11 enabling the brave to join the Norwich-bound carriageway at a T junction. Before the dualling, it was possible to cross the A11 and continue in a straight line to Moulton. But what's the point of short cuts, when we're trying to cover as many miles as possible, as opposed to merely reaching a destination. For the sake of the argument I'm ruling out Café stops as destinations) In Chippenham we turn right (east) along the little lane that joins the road from Freckenham to Red Lodge (which has turned into something resembling Toytown). As we left Toytown we caught a glimpse of a group of riders crossing from right to left. It was il Cappuccini, who must have taken the alternative route (I won't bore you with a description - it's a dull choice) which put them about a quarter mile ahead of us. The inevitable happened (TomTom would say that it was in no way an inevitability since I am an adult capable of exercising free will) and I gradually increased our pace (a less aggressive term than speed) until the group ahead very gradually came closer. It can be very hard to gauge how quickly (or not) one is catching up with other riders until they are within a couple of hundred yds. Then it is important to only go as fast as is necessary to maintain the rate of gain. Quite absorbing really, in an incredibly boring sort of way. Before we reached Tuddenham we were upon them. First group of four or five at the back, neat and compact, then Barry with John Dumont, then another three, then ones and twos further ahead. A classic Wheelers clubrun, at a disorganised point in the ride. All rides get these moments, it can be fatigue, inattention or a mismatch of abilities. We lightheartedly joshed them as we passed, mainly the old chestnut about riding "all over the road" or "four abreast". I can't remember the last time I was in a group that caught, passed and rode away from another. OK they were the more mature in their attitude, but hey! It was a blast. We turned left to Lackford and never saw them again.
SJH
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