And they just kept coming this morning - in the end 22 riders congregated in the Market Square which made it one of the best attended club runs for a couple of years. The weather was more what you would expect for the middle of May with the Sun shining and a reasonable temperature to keep the limbs warm for the miles ahead.
The numbers were boosted by a couple of Jason D’s friends, Chris and Kieran, the return of our favourite (and only) Kiwi, David S, and we were delighted to see Mr Kinglake back on the road (who claimed to have been overwintering himself, like a cabbage). We were missing a few of the stalwarts, so this was an excellent turn-out that bodes well for the rest of the summer.
Mark stepped up as route-master and proposed that we head for Harrold via Swineshead and that we make the split around there. Mark and Trevor led the group out of St Neots and set a very steady pace to Little Staughton then onto Swineshead where the split was made.
Group 1 took 15 riders and continued to Yielden, followed by a short run on the A6 and then left for Podington and through to Wollaston to the A509. We turned left at the roundabout in Bozeat and back towards Odell before turning just before Harrold to Sharnbrook, Souldrop, Shelton and then an interesting diversion to Covington to put some more miles on the clock. Richard W decided that he would take advantage of the excellent weather to really crank his mileage up and he left us at Bozeat. We returned via Kimbolton with the Buckden boys carrying straight on and the rest going back to St Neots via Pertenhall. Between 60 and 62 miles for everyone in Group 1.
Group 2 continued on to Harrold where, believe it or not, Chris decided that he didn’t want to stop for coffee and cake. I think he’s wants to shed a few pounds to shave a few more seconds off his TT time. We continued on to Felmersham, through Milton Ernest, Thurleigh and on to Bolnhurst. From this point on there was a buzz around the group in anticipation for the ‘Bushmead Sprint’. We then reached the Colmworth crossroads and the "race" was on. The group managed to keep together until we hit the final quarter where Ashley and Steve P rode off the front. Steve let Ashley take the lead then just managed to pip him at the chequered flag, (good tactics Steve).
Then it was back to Caffe Nero for a debrief and a much needed cup of coffee. Group 2 covered about 45 miles.