After a sunny Saturday, I changed the TBA to the Mills. Lack of imagination, maybe, but a great destination on an August Sunday.
I turned up at the club to already find a couple of lady club members, and soon there were more, until they were five strong, lined up and looking determined. There were only four of us blokes. We felt outnumbered for once, until a few more arrived and the male-female ratio was balanced out a little, well 9 vs 5 that is to the lads. Banter was on the menu for the day.
Nonetheless, it was to be a steady day to the Mills, or so I thought. After we set off, there were already early brakes from Emily and Elaine, who were having none of this ‘sit in the bunch’ lark, and set a healthy pace to Norley Lane. The pressure didn’t stop here either, as Elaine marshalled her troops and they made short work of the hill and lane to Hatchmere (whilst I dropped back to help Simon with an uncooperative chain).
After Hatchmere, Emily again hit the front, and started sneaking the speed up. I protested, she laughed an evil laugh, but curbed her racing enthusiasm for a while.
We took our usual route through Ashton Heyes, where shortly after, Derek uttered some sudden expletives that I cannot repeat, as he beat himself about the head whilst riding (most unusual behaviour). Turns out that something had slown under his helmet strap, got stuck, protested, and laid a sting where it wedged itself. We stopped and checked, but no sting was evident, just the remains of whatever poison had been inflicted on poor Derek’s temple!!
We set off and eventually hit the Greenway. The fourteen of us were exceptionally well drilled along the pleasant cycle path that we shared with other users, and kept formation, rode neatly, and responded to the shouts as we observed and cycled past others.
Marianne Vos, sorry, Emily, then started to sneak that speed up again, so I had to have a word. She laughed. All evil-like.
Not to be confined to the ranks, as we hit the main road to the cafe and the speed increased, both Emily and Elaine made a strong attack. I jumped onto a wheel, and Steve Lucas jumped past me. I had to motor along as hard as I could to get past him, but just about edged past for a win. 🙂 Today wasn’t quite the easy ride that I had envisaged…
At the Mills, some excellent carrot cake complemented the beans on toast and we feasted as per usual.
The way back was a friendly pedal along the gated track by the railway (at which point Derek realised that he’d left his drinks bottle at the cafe. Oops) and back around the rear of Chester Zoo, before making our way through the lanes to Mickle Trafford, back through to Ashton Heyes and through the forest.
Here, Emily takes up he story:
The group took off over the first hill in Delamere, led by Emily who was foolishly working the front. Then speeding up the second hill came Mike followed by an on form Eleanor. The group followed throughout the undulating roads, speeding up past the ice cream van and on to the Hatchmere finish line. Eleanor kicked, only to be overtaken by a steam train Paddy who was hammering for the line, Emily followed (not to be beaten after going early in the sprint to the cafe) and took the win, followed by Paddy, Steve and Eleanor. Much panting and gasping for breath at the Hatchmere crossroads with Steve demoted to soigneour by Paddy now he’s successfully beating his Dad. Much fun!
Then down through the lanes, across the A49 and on to the roundabout in Hartford, before we split off to our separate ways.
A fine day out on the bike, and a pleasure to guide such a well drilled group of club members! It was great to have such a strong ladies contingent out too.
Gina, Nicola, Eleanor, Nikki, Elaine and Emily. In a happy but determined mood…