Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo this weekend which is a shame as it was great to see so many people out in club kit. It was awesome seeing the club colours strung out snaking up the hill into Prestbury.
Anyway we woke to a sunny, bright morning as 36 riders met at the British Legion. Craig was to lead the long run over to Garth (19 accompanied him) while the remaining 17 came with me over to a new cafe in Prestbury. It must have been a good day to be out on the bike with even Steve Thomas turning up. Needless to say Steve and Garry Brown set a good, comfortable pace to the cafe. The route took us through Goostrey, into Peover Heath and Chelford before the climb up into Prestbury.
As we turned right into Chelford there was a slight touch of wheels which saw Andy Poole dismounted. A quick rub down and an important check of bike and kit saw no problems and we were off again.
The climb into Prestbury saw a breakaway group of Wood, Thomas, Brown, Silver, Perrett, Japp, Jones & Gilbertson (there may have been more than that) climbed at a good pace. Then an attack off the front by Perrett saw Thomas follow. Steve Thomas, showing great form having returned to Time Trialling, churned out the big ring to take King of the Mountains.
At the cafe, Jack, Steve and Dave Fearon headed for home while the rest of us headed through Wilmslow, Mobberley, Ashley and up to Tatton Park which is where the day’s second battle for the gates took place. As the pace increased up the slight incline to Tatton Park the numbers fell back. Perrett feeling it in the legs after climbing 800,000ft on Saturday started to fade and Chris Gilbertson took his opportunity. A big attack which left too big a gap leaving Wood and Poole to fight for second.
After going through Tatton Park we headed for home, I finished with 56 miles on the clock. It was a great day out on the bike, other than the climb and the sprint everyone stuck together really well with a pretty good pace too. There was great banter with Dave Fearon, Jimmy Williams, Garry Brown’s jokes and Steve T pointing out where he used to live in Prestbury avec butler!!