A Good Chain Gang @ 6.30 on Thursday

Last night's training ride ( the one at 6.30 not the one at 7pm) turned out to be a bit of a carbon copy of the previous week but that's a good thing because they have both been excellent.

The conditions were / weather was similar; fine and a NW breeze. The number’s were the same; 20mph (maybe a few seconds slower on the circuit than last week) and nine in the squad again with just two changes in the line up. Fozzy and Brian were out on loan to TDD but Rich came in for Fozzy and Ivan came in for Brain even replicating his usual maneuver on Peover mountain….sitting up then hanging on the back 😤😎.

We were still together in  a tight and disciplined chain by Congleton Lane (which isn’t always the case) with seven rotating through. On the lower slopes of Pexhill it was all calm and maybe a bit of hesanticy then by the ramp after Bubblytex it was definitely different from most weeks when Mark went through 😎 and different again when I found myself going through at  Dark Lane but by Bearhust Lane I found out that wasn’t a very good idea 🤔😤.

From there it effectively split four-five with Ben🥇and Bartosz 🥈getting the one / two again but Pete 🥉 swapping places with Dave. Then the gap to your’s truly followed by Rich and Claire defending her QOM 👑, next in short order Mark then Ivan.

I was going to say Claire comfortably retained her QOM but I don't think she would agree with me that it felt “comfortable” so credit to her for pushing hard up there when she didn’;t have to 💪. Anyone thinking of giving the ride ago be aware the blast to the finish is just a bit of fun for for those that want to participate, it’s perfectly acceptable to take your time and twiddle up (I’am not sure fun is the right word either ). The main event is a flat circuit back to Siddington going as hard as we collectively can (it is a training ride) but achieving a good speed by good discipline and working for each other. I’am glad to report that in that most important respect the ride is going very well 👍.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwUwRjtKDBE