showmethecakes Mon Mar 20, 2017 8:35 pm
As far as I am concerned the silliness began on Friday evening. Might be something to do with the season. After an enforced cycle to work I rode home on a semi-flat rear end as I couldn't be bothered to fix it at work. As I entered Weston I remembered a strava segment that I had been eyeing up for a while that would favour a westerly breeze. In the dark and wet with heavy bag on back I headed for the starting point. Being dark I was relying on car headlights to decide whether or not it was safe to blast out across a t- junction. At the last minute I had to abort as a car suddenly appeared. Undeterred I looped round and tried again. Same result. At the third attempt I got most of the way down before coming up behind a bus. Slightly frustrated I went home to find I had a KOM. Hurrah!
The reason for the pre-amble is it set the mood for the Saturday ride. When we got past Mark (whoever he is) the pace quickened across the levels towards Westhay. Now I'm not normally one for getting agitated but 23 mph felt a little slow. When the speed dropped even more I couldn't resist the temptation to get back on the front and crank it up a notch. Thankfully most others slotted in behind and took turns on the front. Now, as I said, I'm not normally one for getting agitated but 26 mph felt a little slow. So I went back on the front and cranked it up a little more hitting the end of the road at about 31 mph.
After a minor re-group we set off towards Glastonbury. Like a dog with a bone the pace was cranked up again and we shifted along at about 25's. At Godney the wind had changed direction and it started to rain. Now I might do some stupid things but I know when its time to hide behind Wayne into a headwind.
At Doublegates the staff were most welcoming. Phil is now to be known as Sharon. No need to ask, its a personal choice that we must all respect. Martin, on the other hand, is apparently the best bike rider in the world. It was so convincing I think Burns the Bread twitched a single eyebrow hair before returning to his conversation. Martin tried to show how good he as we departed. While sitting astride his bike waiting for a couple of stragglers he toppled over (well almost). Not that anyone noticed - honest.
Not sure what happened on the return. Paul S seemed to drop off the back a bit with a Pete and Wayne. Tracy kindly hung back a bit but despite the main group waiting a couple of times they were never seen again. It's either that or that bloody great motorbike that pulled us along. Who was that man of mystery in the orange and black leathers? The chocolate orange on a motorbike. Is his name really Terry? Of course not. You all know who it was. Now I'm not saying anything but there were some impressive speeds set at certain points on the return journey.
After the split at Loxton, Lofty did a good job on the front into the wind back to Weston. As we turned off the seafront I had a bit of deja-vu. There a segment round here somewhere that I've been eyeing up for a while. Probably best attempted with a nice westerly breeze. However, knowing the dangers of the dreaded t-junction I rode ahead to make sure the way was clear for Lofty to take his first KOM, fortunately with an identical time to me. Hurrah!
Very enjoyable jaunt.
OJC: 2 methinks, TTCR: 8/10, KFC: 6/10.