22nd April newsletter
It’s an early newsletter this week as tomorrow 9 of us are off to Denia, Spain on the spring trip which Marcel has organised, I’m really looking forward to it.
The forecast for this weekend looks perfect and we already have a few rides on Spond. Alan and Amanda are looking forward to show off the new tandem which was bought in memory of Nick.
Horne Time Trials starting Tuesday 5 May - Marshalls needed
It's only a couple of weeks now until the Tuesday night TTs at Horne kick off again. We are lucky (and grateful) to have been invited along again for another year by East Grinstead CC. The first event is on Tuesday 5 May with the first rider off at 6:45pm. Best to get there 30 minutes early to sign up and get prepared. It would be great to see more OCC riders give it a go. And again, we will use the VTTA age adjustments to bring a bit of competition into it. Keep your eyes on spond for each event.
As in previous years, we have committed to provide a marshal each Tuesday to help run the event. This is a great way to give a little back to the grass roots of the competitive side of the sport, and is a really nice way to spend a summer evening! We would really appreciate it if club members would be willing to muck in, whether or not you TT. Please let Chris (chris.j.hewitt@hotmail.co.uk) know if you are willing and able to volunteer, and on which dates. Chris will be making sure he takes his turn too!
Ride Reports
Peter Carpenter’s Tour of Brisbane
Greetings from Down Under!
Last Sunday I was one of 7,000 or more riders, but the only one wearing OCC bib shorts. Having turned 80 last year it seemed fitting I entered the 80km route. Discretion took place over valour and at 30km I switched to the 50km route giving me 61.18km, in 3 hours cycling time, nearly 30degs was a factor. Daughter, her husband and son all did the 110km route. An amazing event, all closed roads, motorway, busways, city streets. Great to have been part of it.
Chris’ T2 - Perfect day for a ride. Great weather, stunning colours in the countryside and a tailwind for much of the route.
A large T2 group split into two with Chris leading Janette, Colin, Steve, Andy, Gavin, and Jo to Ightham Moat for refreshment via Clacketts Lane, Otford, and Kemsing, then back via Hildenborough, Chiddingstone Causeway, Bough Beech, and Four Elms - 43 miles at just over target 13mph.
Top tip for the day..... check your cleats fit the pedals.
Matt’s T3 - Eight of us today, Sam, Ailsa, Michelle, Casey, Mark, Jason, Pat and myself for a trip to Dragonfly cafe in Speldhurst.
Out through Fordcombe and back via Penshurst, unfortunately a few riders came down after they hit some gravel, luckily nobody was injured. Thank you everyone for a great ride, 40 miles @ 14.1 average with 870m of climbing.
Martin’s T4 - I took a T4 out into a light fresh headwind. There still seems to be some confusion over what constitutes Summer! But all were on Summer bikes except Brian who was on a Spring bike. Some lucky enough to have such choices. We took a steady pace and arrived in Brockham Reading Room for too much cake. Returning with a fantastic headwind pushing us back. Attendees: Andrew Telfer, Robert Moir, Brian Tidey, Jules Benley and Randomly some geezer called Dave who is a club member who bumped into us on the way back and tagged along.
Russell's T4 to Ryarsh - Eight happy people for the Sunday ride in glorious weather. Pete found the delightful Ryarsh coffee stop via his walking club, it's a beautiful garden location. Please note: as the summer season starts, we don't want car drivers cursing us, on narrow roads such as Pilgrims Way, it's better to have gaps for cars to get past, don't panic, no one will get left behind! And when someone calls 'car back', please don't ignore it. Our Chairman Richard was clear at the AGM, 'sometimes it's just good manners to pull over to help cars get past'. A great ride, 52 miles@15mph.
Norman’s Midweek Ride - Lovely sunny but cold easterly wind this morning as I took Gilly, Cathy, Caroline, Chris, Colin, Mark, Tony and Jo over to Kingdom via Four Elms, Chiddingstone Causeway and Penshurst. Cakes, bacon baps, tea and coffees were efficiently delivered out to us on the benches and we took a route back to the Hub via Mark Beech, Edenbridge and Hurst Green. Thanks to all.
Have a great weekend
Richard