A damn cold and chilling morning, measuring 2 degrees on the thermometer, did not deter 24 from turning up at the park for a split ride of fast and medium pace out to the Green Roof Cafe. It was the Benny and Alvaro gang on one side with the Gaffer and Goat on the other. Such large groups meant for a quick team talk from the Gaffer before we set off, although not a club to lay down the rules, safety comes first so after a quick “Ride Etiquette” refresher, the fast group set off with the Cruisers hopefully reaching the café just before.
So after rolling out the park towards the first hill, the discussion was not of climbing techniques but of the benefits of leg waxing:- was it painful, do you do have full leg or half, can I get a discount, do you have to wear speedos. The girls remained quiet, all of this coming from the boys who were enquiring after MG and his recent visit to the beauty parlour. Perhaps the club can do a sponsored wax for Comic relief !!! So onto the first lump in the road, Green Lane- everyone going their own pace with a re- group scheduled after the descent. MG goes flying up the road, more due to being frozen solid and needing to get the blood circulating, closely followed by Suley, Dr L and of course The Pocket Rocket (is there no end to this girls ability) dropping everyone else like a stone !
Onwards down Chiselhurst Road we rolled, very quiet for a Sunday- last time we came down the road as a group we were set upon by a Chelsea Tractor- this week not a car in sight. How lovely The Gaffer organizing a closed road- but with taking no credit she informed us the bridge was out further down the thoroughfare, being able to ride two abreast with no traffic and lots of chat, a sheer joy.
Incident free we arrived at said refueling stop, at exactly the same time as every dog walker in Kent, with children in tow, as well as grandparents and then the fast gang arrived 5 mins behind, perfect timing. On the route back we kept the two ride split. The slower ones set off first to tackle Worlds End Lane, with a re group at the top for the faster group to then set off. Some great climbing by a multitude of riders whose first time it was up this hill. The old hands being driven by the pressure of Strava I think !!!
The fast group then led, closely followed by the easy ride although MG decided to turn it into a game of chase with Suley also in hot pursuit, almost catching the group in front only being held up by the sheer volume of traffic which continued the whole way to Watery Lane.
The speed chase continued all the way to Sidcup and onwards to the park Dr L ‘ powering up the road and waiting outside his club HQ for a cheery wave as the rest came flying past.
A great mornings ride- everyone keeping together, remaining safe and eventually warming up I think by the end of the day….
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