Blog and News

WAS THIS THE BEST RIDE SO FAR??

posted by: Elly, (Nov 18, 09:34 PM) comments [1]

FROM LEE:

one of our lead riders: Today was an achievement – a right ruddy success!! 2 groups set off ….but within a mile we had amalgamated and that is how it stayed ….Kim took the lead, with Miles and Keith in the middle and me at the back. 1 hour ride to the tea hut …all went superbly due to Kim’s excellent route …it bedded everyone in really well.

We did a loop and we all stayed together …it was quite amazing really – and finally back to Chingford…we did this as one massive group ride. This was due to Kim, Miles, Keith and a little of myself leading and helping out at the back at different times…but mostly it was down to the group …everyone rode a blinder – everyone – with a special mention to Julie who overcame the fact she was the only girl in a 15/18 strong group and rode really well. Also a special mention to Craig who managed to fall off 6 times …some of them were corkers.

To sum up…this ride epitomised the social group ethos …like the marines .."we left no one behind" …plenty of stops ..let people catch up…and most of all loads of laughs …

FROM MARK:

Great ride Saturday…yet again! At first we split but shortly regrouped, it worked out well. Plenty of whooping on the downhills, plenty of wheezing on the uphills! Very polite bunch this week, with the front men pointing out hidden dangers such as “hole” and “mind your head”, and this could be heard as it was passed back through the peleton! Think we got a bit carried away at one point with feedback working its way back along the echelon such as “tree”, “leaves” and “stick”!!!! Just the one welcomed stop at Carl’s to fill our suzettes then we were off again with Lee as our Maillot Jeune.

Plenty of tumbles Sat, I think nearly everyone managed one, and one stylish rider hitting the deck 6 times, (another mention of Craig!) with the most impressive being when his bike stopped dead and sank to it’s skewers in mud as he continued off the bike at the same pace he was going when he hit it. Oh how we sniggered!

FROM CRAIG

holding the ‘falls of the day’ title
I managed to fall off 5 times…….., 5 Times I tell you..!!!!!!! (everyone else thought it was 6 Craig!!)

After I managed to go over handle bars and the bike still stood up by itself in the mud while I lay next to it…… Lee actually had to get off his bike because he was laughing so much……

All was taken in a good spirit, but I think it was down to me in the afternoon for holding everyone up while I kept falling… Hehe
Closely followed by a little ride over a log, where again I left the bike behind…. Not good, I even rivaled Julie for the crash trophy today…..My dad really enjoyed himself and is even going to come out again next Saturday.

FROM ALLAN – a Newbie firstimer:

It was my first ride with you and in fact my first rough track mountain bike ride at all!! I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am looking forward to next week. I found the pace and difficulty of the track was just right. The group was incredibly friendly and helpful and I was given assistance in tightening the bolts of my brand new bike which were coming lose and also people were volunteering riding tips which I found very useful. See you next week. Allan

FROM MILES one of our Leaders:

As I said earlier I’d like to thank Kim, Lee and also Keith for the routes they put together – I personally did little leading today – and also for the instruction and riding tips they gave. For me, yesterdays ride was the best yet and very importantly it was also a lot of fun. Must also thank Craig for putting on such a show for us all. How could we have known that we were going to be witness to a kind of Tour de Force in separation of bike and rider – his Dad must have been so proud!

Special mention for Julie for not only being the only female on the ride but also for her ability to keep smiling (gritted teeth) at Keith’s duster, cooker and kitchen sink based humour.