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Hillingdon Raiding Party- Part Two

Surreyleague Road Race Organised by the Twickenham CC. 10th March 2001.

Firstly, I have to say a huge thank you to all our riders for making such a good race of it and for looking so comfortable with racing almost straight away. I would never have believed so many were all new to the sport.

I also have to say a big thank you to all our friends for their support. Weren't we lucky with the weather this time? It only started to rain at the very end of the race.

Our riders were (in no particular order) Richard Claridge, Robert Wilson, Mark Cole, Richard Munday, Steve Dennis (not that Steve Dennis, how many times have you heard that Steve?), Nick Mann, Steve Hehir, Hannah Reynolds and our own Sylvian Garde on a mountain bike with slicks. Yours Truly was given a special concession to ride by the Surreyleague but only to guide and advise riders if necessary and certainly not as an active part of the race.

As we sat on the starting grid I honestly could not believe my eyes. There were nine Addiscombe riders in front of me. That was an even larger entry than the biggest club in the Surreyleague. All spectators present would surely have thought that we were the largest club in the event not the Twickenham. Oh, deep joy, I could not stop grinning me.

All the Agreeables rode very well and nobody packed, only Richard Munday was unlucky enough to puncture and without a spare wheel had retire. I should add that the ride into the head wind on the back straight was tough. After an hour or so even the strongest riders were finding it hard work. The strong wind split the field completely with only the lead group of nine riders staying intact. Unfortunately there were no Addiscombe riders in the break and the bunch fragmented with many riders looking for company to help on the back straight.

As to the award for ride of the day by an Addiscombe rider. Well, in all honesty it would not be fair to single out one rider for praise. Having said that Richard Claridge always impresses me with his attitude and effort but on this occasion every one did. To me they are all stars. Taking that step for a first race is a big one and to keep going and finish it, is quite an achievement, I have to say very well done to one and all.

What a marvellous day, I do hope everybody enjoyed it as much as I did.

Anybody up for another one?

Yours in sport

Keith Knight