Sorry for the delay in this week’s blog, Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins took over my Sunday afternoon. As I’m also rubbish at remembering to take photos, this one of Wiggo seems more apt on what was a very special day.
Sun (yes that stuff in the sky which is shiny and dead warm) greeted us as we all gathered at the British Legion. Being such nice weather it would have been rude not to have had a pedal over to Holt. A good uptake which included Garry Brown, Craig Lee, Terry Veal, Ian Smith, Max Taylor, Matt, Geoff, Nikki, Neil, Jules & Elaine alongside a handful of new riders (apologies if I missed anyone) ventured up to Hatchmere where we picked up another new rider.
Unfortunately someone let Julian go going up the hill, while Wood raced from the back of the peloton in chase accompanied by Max, Matt and Garry Brown, it was all in vein. After a bit of stopping and starting along the way we found a pace which was comfortable to keep everyone together.
As the group went over the narrow bridge into Holt, Jules saw opportunity to attack in the draft of a van. Matt and Neil jumped across with Garry Brown. As the attack faded and with the finishing line looming Wood surged forward to take the win.
With talk of the Tour, Beans and Toast outside in the sun set us up for a fast ride home with the sun on our backs. A mention must go to Elaine Mossman for her rubbish attempt of flirting with a workman to get him to carry her bike across a road being relaid with tar. It was Elaine who then pushed the pace all the way up to Oulton Park before Al Silver took over. I don’t think we ventured much under 25mph all the way back home.
The climb up Whitegate Hill saw Matt set off at a pace, having caught him, a quick look into everyone’s eyes saw Silver attack sharply with Wood on his wheel but halfway up Silver’s legs went. The team car behind screamed into Wood’s ear piece to protect the Weaver Valley leader up the climb and back into the finish of Northwich.
A great day out on the bike in the Sun and good to return to Holt. One to remember for sure – where were you when Wiggins won the Tour?