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Catford Reliability Ride 2001by our man with the ice skates
Went out on the Catford reliablity ride today.
The two Richards arrived just as I was setting off (they started in number/time
order so I didn't have any choice. The roads were very icy and there was one huge pile up of about 25-30
bodies in one place due to sheet ice. Yours truly had stopped for a pee just
about 1/2 mile away and came up behind the carnage!! This time I stayed
upright!!!!!!!!!!
The rest of the ride was great. split into a number of smaller groups and mine was the fast (yes you did read correctly) group consisting of myself, 5
Pearson lads including Guy, a Sydenham Wheeler and someone else. Over the
Ashdown, we passed and dropped Luke Evans (shame), although he got back on by
Groombridge, where I departed (off the back or down the road?- Ed.), but
after the climbs up Fordcombe and Penshurst we regrouped at the tea stop.
Suffered up the climb past Chartwell's house, then blasted downhill, along the
valley only to suffer big time up Star Hill.
I gather Russell Williams was out on the 50k
ride, looking after the youngsters, but I didn't see him. Apparently about 20 of
them came down on the ice as well!!! Hopefully they were alright.
Completed the ride in 3h 40m, and computer showed riding time as 3h 29m!!
waited for 30 mins, but no signs of Richards' and had to leave as Guy and
Giles were going, and riding home as well.
88 miles, tired and hungry, but all is well.
Paul Tunnell
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