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Sunday Training Rides Circa Dec 2000 By
Nick Mann
What with no cyclo cross race on Sunday and
having had a very pleasant afternoon on Saturday at Twickenham, watching England
beat South Africa, what could one possibly do to better it on the Sunday?
I decided to check out the infamous Addiscombe
Kent run. I arrived at Coulsdon South 9-35am, my customary five minutes late,
shortly followed by Doug Rollins. Already there were Richard Munday, Robert
Royle Everett, Ron Halfacre, Steve Hehir, a Polish triathelete called Michael,
I've been told he might be German, my apologies Michael. And an Antipodal
Elite/1st category rider, a friend of the Keith Knight and the Bayliss boys.
Off we set minus the Bayliss boys. A fairly
healthy pace was set by the Antipodal, with occasional help from others, who
were obviously pulling it along far to fast because shortly before joining the
A22 near Godstone he shot off the front never to be seen again. The pace didn't
seem to let up and the ride continued through the lanes of Kent to Crockham Hill
where the group split up with Doug and Steve doing their usual thing blasting up
the hill with Robert looking far too comfortable with them and obviously holding
back in case he got lost.
The rest made their way up in various
degrees of pain and suffering with Michael suffering the most at the back, he
had been racing on Saturday, but in true Addiscombe spirit he didn't give up and
got back on over the top. Tea was taken at the Cafe in Westerham with all the
usual banter and some challenges thrown down by Steve to Doug, something about
one day doing the Kent Run none stop and ripping Doug's legs off up Botley Hill,
and Doug replying that Steve would already have received a good kicking through
the lanes and would have had such a lead before getting to Botley it would be no
contest. It should be interesting to see what happens!
Shortly after this Mark Bayliss turned up,
something about having been at a James Bond fancy dress party and not getting to
bed until 5am. He had gone as James Bond and apparently Steve Bayliss had gone
as Miss Moneypenny. So convincing was Steve, that he allegedly managed to pull
Team Corridori rider Rob Young and there was a suggestion that was the
reason for his non appearance this morning. Should be interesting to see the
photos!
Off we set again this time to Botley. The
way Mark was going I think I'll have to try this carbo loading on beer, going to
bed at five and then going out for a ride training technique. Oh, to be in your
twenties...! The group got up and over Botley Hill and made its way towards home
with a final blast from Caterham along the A22 with everybody taking a turn and
dragging it along at break neck speed, not for the faint hearted or weak of leg
or breath. A great ride hopefully had by all.
Nick Mann.
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