Reliability Ride Report

Over 160 people took part in Sunday’s reliability ride, they were literally queuing out of the door to sign up!  Big thank you to John Welsford for organising and to Steve Burgess for this engaging report.

Well, it was my first long distance ride since joining all those weeks ago.  I was a purely fair weather cyclist but with encouragement from Kamila to get me on my first club ride, I’m now  getting damp and dirty most Sundays. I was very unsure about committing to such a long ride on a January Sunday. And now I’ve been asked to write a few words by Judith!

Being my first I can’t really comment on numbers but it seemed a really good turnout to me. I arrived about 8:30, lots already booked on and very lengthy queue. After a  chat to several members of the club and a few others, I eventually set off about 9:15. It was a nice easy start with some decent speed till the hills began. Well I was warned! I soon got warmed up if not a tad sweaty by mile 10, 16km in French. And so it continued. Was caught by some, caught up with others and rode along with various groups as the day rolled on. All friendly and many a cheerful word.

Finally called a proper stop for the Lucozade and crunchy bar that fuels me at around 30 miles where I watched so many pass, all of which confirmed it was just a fuel stop not an issue. Soon back on the road and after a wet patch at Teigh – well a bit more than that as apparently there was a pot hole hidden within – I continued on.

Eventually I met up with a fellow Welland Valley rider whose Garmin had called time and we paired up for the last 474 miles, well a bit less.  But we both struggled on to the finish where we were served hot tea and cakes. Didn’t get your name, though I did give mine. All agreed it was a tough ride, but enjoyable. Many thanks to all concerned for a great day. Cheers everyone