Drugs Test for Cervello (Sir Bellion)

Tuesday's club Chainey, DEFINITION a relatively short, but high intensity ride whereby riders hang on until they can hang on no more, was my (Steve) second one with H Middleton CC and I think it's 12 years since I last rode in one. But for Kev this was his first. So as the group of about 18 set off at a brisk pace, I positioned myself towards the rear, chewing a few wheels (drafting). The tempo increased and at one stage through Eccleston a speed camera when off displaying 25mph and a smiley face, should have been a grimace! I looked out to see where Kev was and couldn't spot him, so I assumed that he had turned off, with the pace being too keen for his liking. Then a moment later I caught a fleeting glimpse of a Cervello white top. He was tapping out a furious pace on the front!!!!! Was he feeling good? Did his order of EPO arrive through the post before the ride? Or was it a case of his being naive? Whichever it was, it was impressive stuff. His 'L' plates are certainly off and I have banned him from using the word novice from now on.
The pace picked up yet again after we arrowed through Croston Village and the through and off began. Great buzz, hammer down and maintaining a superb pace. Then it happened! Heading through Holmswood after Rufford the through and off began to take its toll and Kev's earlier exertions began to show. I had missed a few turns and was hanging on. But Kev shot out the back and despite my efforts to ride him back on towards Martin Mere, he had blown a gasket. We rode together for the last few miles and kept a reasonable pace up. Can't give the exact stats for the ride, as I never reset my Cateye until three miles or so into the ride. But it read something like 34miles covered and an average speed of 22. something mph. Our End to End Challenge begins 5 weeks today. At these kinds of average speeds we will be finished in a few days!! Unfortunately, not all of the UK is flat.
Hats off to Mr Bellion tonight, impressive stuff.

Big Bad Wasp!

A small turn out Sunday for the Club ride, maybe the early rain put people off, the rain threatened again but didn't materialise.
A few of the A riders headed off towards the Trough to do 100 miler and a few big climbs.
The rest of us, about 15 I think,set off, got to the top of Ashurst and the group split, Steve Diesel who did a big ride on Saturday was complaining of saddle soreness, so decided her wanted a more leisurely ride, he went off with Simon, Helen, Paul and young Charlotte. Good luck to Helen and Simon who are doing the Fred Whitton Challenge in May (they must be mad! lol)
Steve and I(kev) and the rest of the group set off for a hilly ride towards Rivington via Haigh Hall etc. Eventually arrived in Blackrod turned around, no Steve, so waited for him with John from Scarisbrick (sorry John don't know your surname) waited about 5 min, still no sign so gave him a call. He had took a wrong turning and then had a puncture. John a I started to head for home, Steve said he would meet us in the Cafe.
The rest of the lads had disappeared so John and I hoped we would find our way back home from Blackrod without getting lost! Luckily we did.
We had a good descent down Hunters Hill until about half way down doing 28mph a very large wasp decided to fly inside my glasses!!! After nearly ***** my pants, I just threw my expensive Oakley`s to the floor and the big ****** flew off before he stung me in the eye.
Went back to retrieve my glasses hoping they would be still in one piece. Pretty robust those Oakley`s
Arrived at the Cafe to see the other lads getting stuck into tea and cakes. Steve was only a minute behind us. He did well to catch us up.

Next week, hopefully if we get enough riders it will be a big club ride 100 miler.
Checked my cateye when I got home, somewhere on the ride I had managed to do 41 mph.