WKRC Invade Essex or Little & Long journey to the other side.
November 10, 2014
Sunday 9th November 2014 at 0645 saw two members of the WKRC assemble in Bexley to load up & prepare for the journey to Redbridge cycling centre, the start of the Essex Season Ender Sportive. Little Gary the birthday boy(45 or was it 54) was the driver & I the navigator/wingman the weather was wet, misty and fresh as we drove onto the M25 the spray was flying everywhere.
I thought if it stays like this I will do the short route but as we approached the centre 30 minutes after leaving, the rain stopped and the grey clouds began to lift.
Gary & I wanted to set off early so at 0810 we set off fully loaded for the 72 mile route we had been warned that due to the very heavy overnight rain the lanes were full of debris, gravel and we should all take care. Between us we had seven spare tubes as we expected the worse, we had agreed to go at a good steady pace, take no risks and enjoy the day.
Off we set and they were not kidding the lanes did have some large lakes & puddles and plenty of debris, as we rolled on we saw the “unfortunates” stopped at the roadside and I just thought please let me get half way before the first puncture. Gary pushed on dragging me along at a steady rate and soon we stopped at the first feed station at 37 miles hot tea or coffee H5 & water to drink and Jaffa cakes, fig rolls, cheese & biscuits, cakes, flapjacks, Fruit cake, bananas & H5 gels. What a treat but not wishing to get cold off we soon set off as the sun began to rise and we were getting warmer. What a splendid route lovely traffic free country lanes. lovely houses & views and more importantly no big hills.
Over half way NO punctures! we were more confident and we pressed on but ever conscious that 11am was approaching now I have been at the cenotaph, but I have also been at local events as well this time it was in a country lay by facing wide open fields & silence. We did our bit for remembrance day and were happy to represent WKRC and it just goes to prove that its not about the location but more about taking the time to remember that counts.
By now the sun was shining through and very warm and I thought I should have worn my bib shorts!
Off again to the next feed station at 57 miles still NO punctures. After testing the same goodies as the first station away we went but as we had only 15 miles to go the mood changed, just like the bloodhounds picking up the scent in a Louisiana bayou after a jailbreak the pace quickened all round. The riders wanted home and some groups formed for the last leg finally we entered the track and then the finish line. Both bikes covered in mud, road kill,etc and Gary & I the same but NO punctures Result!.
Total Mileage.74.4 miles
Avg Speed.15.8
Total Ride time.4.hrs 44 minutes,
We both had a very good a day made better by a traffic free drive home over the bridge and back to gods country. I hope Gary had a good birthday and I would recommend this route & sportive to every member of the WKRC.
Trevor.