Reliability Ride Goes Large

It seems that there were a lot of people very keen to ride last weekend. At one point the queue to sign on for the reliability ride stretched right out the door!  It was wonderful to see so many – one hundred and ten in fact. 

Congratulations and well done to all those who took part including those riding for the first time. 

Special thanks to Harry Hughes for this report. 

A no frills event with fantastic routes along the Leicestershire / Northamptonshire border with riders expected to be self-reliant. It was great to see all at the start at Lubenham Village Hall once again.

I was requested/ambushed (politely) by our new Chair, Judith Rout to write a small write up of the WVCC 2023 Reliability Ride. What is now a traditional start to the cycling season for many cycling clubs, a check out of both rider and machine, after what seems a long slow winter (every year).

Can I also add it is to find out the reliability of your riding mates and friends, who say they are going to ride, and at  what time you are all going to all meet and start together, no names on the late arrivals Tom (you know who you are), all discussed in the pub a few days before of course, well our group anyway!!

So off we went into the slightly cold and damp winter morning heading Northwest up and over the canal on the Laughton Rd There was chat, anticipation, and excitement of what was to come on our first big ride of 2023! Its always difficult at this time of year to get the dress code right, trying out the new ‘gear’,  have I got enough clothing on, am I carrying the correct tools/repair gear kit in my pockets and bag or can I rely on my mates? !! LOL! What is becoming more and more essential to me is, ‘can I be seen’ by motorist, so lights (rear in particular) and clothing that stands out is essential in my view (but the fashion houses of the cycling world seem to think that black and dark clothing is king at this time!)

Our group was  made up of cyclists from their thirties to the mid seventies; all various abilities but good and experienced. We agreed we would ride together the long ride, as it’s the start of the season  and it’s the WVCC Reliability Ride 2023. Yes, incredible what we cyclists are about, and from all walks of life, but a passion for the great outdoors on two wheels! Pain and gain if you want it so early in the season, but this was a fun and ‘brushing off the cobweb’s ride effectively, lots of nature calls and eating of ‘jelly babies’ on the way, it wasn’t a race!

By the time we got to Mowsley the WVCC ‘fast boys/girls’ were eager to get past us and on their way. So we let them go, with good wishes and humour. This is what cycling is all about, a passion for our interest our club our team and our own and other’s efforts.

The weather was  kind overall and heading out into the Westerlies was not too bad, but we knew once we got to Cold Ashby, we would have the wind on our backs after the bumpy ride up from Stanford On Avon and Yelvertoft. Heading into Naseby, we decided we would call in the shop for a coffee and Jelly Babies re stock! By this time, I recall the blue skies had appeared for the pothole run to Sibbertoft (where we old timers met up with the ‘Chair’ Judith, who caught on our slip stream) following on to Clipston up to East Farndon then back into wind to Gt Oxendon. The wind eased and more blue sky appeared, though still chilly I recall. Heading East then up and over to Dingley and on towards Sutton Bassett where we started to get the side winds on the Medbourne road stretch, then left towards Slawston where the Westerlies wind hit us.

We had planned our ride to keep as a close group. There were  9 initially but reduced to 7, as two bailed (for an early Sunday lunch) as agreed! We then turned left straight into wind heading towards Tur Langton and Kibworth which is a little lumpy and into that breeze and can be demoralising, but keep as a group and you’re soon there, helping one another! From Kibby there were comments about  the ‘Gumley lumps’ (thanks Rayner you were mentioned a few times, with love) so near to. Then there was the  home decent, and back to the start at Lubenham, where we were met by Sunday lunch and all the trimmings – sorry that was a dream, it was tea and cake.

A great day of getting together again for the WVCC members and friends, riding and chatting about the season and year ahead. Why do we do it year after year? I suppose we enjoy it, the pain and gain, passion and pushing yourself a little, to know and feel you can do it again!

Organisers and support staff thank you.