Well in the last few weeks we've had it all, ice, rain & gales a plenty & this morning was no exception. I managed to get out of the house in plenty of time, but soon started getting messages from people (hi Russ) who were struggling with the wind.
Eight miles of headwind later, saw us at Harley Hall, where already people were assembling for more of the same.
A quick call on the register, gave us Stuart, Gordon, Russell, Big Dave, Chris Parkes, Mr & Mrs Premitt (wasn't that a film with Brangelina), Darren & Chris Selley. The usual Team Keyne presence of Gareth was replaced by Phil & Clive.
A route to Whaddesdon was agreed upon, then Dick Selley arrived to disrupt the party by suggesting the new reliability route. This was mused over until it was revealed that there was no tea stop, then the idea was quickly dismissed in favour of the tour of battenburg.
Leaving the club house, a high pace was quickly established despite the high winds. The stronger riders were grouping on the front while the rest of us grovelled to the rear. Stewkley hill saw the usual split in the pack, with the front runners ignoring the 'getting to the top then turning & going back for the tail enders' (come on guys, lets make this a club run, not a race). It was left to Darren, Chris Selley & myself to go back & pick up the fallen few. However, the pack soon realised this & waited at the next village.
The hills to Whaddesdon, were a scene of punishment as the wind showed no let up, but fortuntaley the rain stayed away (well fortunatley for me as my rain cape was on the kitchen table). Eight miles from the tea stop the pack split again, as i realised that the Chris was left in the middle of nowhere, with no idea of the route, i turned & went back for him. A quick grovel up the hill to Whaddesdon, saw us joining the guys a few minutes later, althought this did leave the two of us with what was effectivley an 8 mile stint on the front (violins please). The key item of conversation (after the coffee cake) centred around Darren (our club clothing secretary) having found a new clothing supplier, who can supplier club kit at a significant discount (£20 cheaper on the jersey's alone) then our current supplier, an item that we can't pass up.
Much tea & merryment was banded around, when we were joined by another Team Keyne member Chris Smith. With us all suitibly refreshed we got ready to leave, i was a pair of glasses up, until Big Dave claimed them, although it did take me seven attempts for him to own up to owning them.
I can tell you absolutely nothing of the journey home, as 2 miles from the tea stop it had fragmented again leaving a couple of groups & a few people in no-mans land.
I managed 56 miles by the bell, with 2700ft of climbing.
Next week there shall be more of the same, hopefully the wind would have dropped a little!