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My First Club Run
By Andy McGrath
Arriving at Coulsdon South for 9.05, I felt rather inadequate. And
rather terrified. As the minutes rolled by, more and more cyclists on
sleek racers rolled in. I myself was desperately trying to spot a mountain
bike, or anyone at all looking even slightly nervous, but it was a lost
cause as people around me chattered freely. Luckily, Tim and Monty were on
hand for a quick talk (and a comical finger wag at my flattish knobbly
tyres). At 9.30, I was under the impression that it would just be me and
Tim in the slow group, but it materialised that Lorraine would also be
coming along for her actual first club ride; and on a sleek Battaglin
mountain bike - very nice.
We rolled out first of all the groups, with good weather and a light
breeze on our backs. Despite a few teething problems (almost literally,
her gears were slipping a bit) for Lorraine, we were making good time.
Getting over the steep drag at Merstham, there were then a few traffic
problems through Reigate before we slipped onto a quieter road (Flanchford
Road?). And it started to rain. Pinging off the helmets, spraying from the
wheels, I was soon very wet (Q. why weren't Tim and Lorraine? A. they had
waterproof coats).
Soon the sun came out again, and we began to have a natter as the
traffic cleared out, though there were still one or two over-zealous
drivers with a few things to say (or shout... or throw, for that matter).
With the undulations increasing as we approached Charlwood, Lorraine
encouragingly was closing the gaps that I'd created, normally downhill
(what can I say, I like streamlining in the Superman position when the
road slopes downward).
After a chat with Tim, we decided to duke it out in a sprint a deux for
the town sign. I jut kept waiting and waiting as the road reared uphill a
bit and then... round a corner, careful of that massive pothole.... it was
there. I put the bike in a good gear and rocketed around Tim, keeping the
revs high. Considering celebrating early, I noticed he was coming back
very strongly so just kept going to the 'line' and held him off, fisting
the air triumphantly. My 'win', though only maybe because I was more
vigilant. I looked back... and Lorraine was quite far away. Feeling rather
guilty - I hadn't told her about our little competition - I slowed down
and as she caught up, we entered the mini section of Charlwood which is as
near as Paris-Roubaix as I'm ever going to get - Lorraine's exclamation of
"Cobbles!" pretty much sums it up.
Got to the cafe with 14 miles clocked and not too big a queue for food.
Found a table and just ate my toast and drank some water; on a couple of
my rides, the club members have been quite hospitable and chatty, but not
so much this time. Mind you, it can't be easy talking to a 16 year old
(and vice versa). As we left the cafe, the heavens opened. Despite some
cheerful/sarcastic comments, it wasn't a lot of fun riding out as the rain
battered us, and we lost Lorraine. Or so I thought. She had actually
changed from yellow to black clothing, and thus I hadn't seen her on Tim's
wheel. Clever me....
Had to make an impromptu stop to pee about halfway back; I hadn't
expected cycling would take such a toll on the bladder. Tried to take the
'hill' up past the church easy, and so it wasn't as much trouble as it has
been on other rides - usually it was my downfall as I strained to keep up.
Getting back onto the A23, the traffic built up. It became annoyingly
clear that we wouldn't be able to charge back, as the traffic slowed to a
crawl, and we were 'reduced' to going down the middle of the road. After
dropping off Lorraine at Coulsdon South after 31 miles, Tim and I pressed
on back. Despite more traffic, I succeeded in holding his wheel at close
to 24mph on the way back past Tescos, although it did feel like my legs
were falling off. Said my thanks and goodbyes to him at the junction for
Purley Downs, and rode up the tortuous - well, it was, especially after 35
miles of cycling - kilometre or so climb home. It was a good workout and
while I'm used to going faster on my mountain bike, I rarely go out for
such a distance. I'd definitely go again, though hopefully with better
weather and maybe a better turn-out. And maybe better equipment too; that
Raleigh Mustang will not suffice...
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