Cycling UK "Trivets" ride 2016
Cycling UK's triennial 100 mile ride for veterans - i.e. anyone over 50 !! - dates back to the organisations golden jubilee year of 1928.
Events are held all over the country, but as on previous occasions East Herts 40+ members chose to enter a ride organised by Essex CTC (Cycling UK). This starts and finishes at a Church Hall in Mountnessing , Nr Shenfield , and the ride really consists of 4 x 25 mile loops , with catering/ rest stops after each loop.
Riders come in all shapes, sizes ,ages and sexes and the last time this event was held (in 2013) our very own Eric won an award for the eldest finisher at the age of 84 and a bit.
Riders come in all shapes, sizes ,ages and sexes and the last time this event was held (in 2013) our very own Eric won an award for the eldest finisher at the age of 84 and a bit.
This time we had 6 entries ; Anne Collins , Sue and Graham Williams ,Ted Walters , Tony Green and myself Ray Cleaver. The total entry was limited 72 , this being 12 more than any previous year .
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| East Herts Trivets team before the ride-- Tony Green was elsewhere doing something important. |
Riders were assigned to one of 6 groups of 12 ,and there was a timed departure for each group ,separated by 5 mins. The objective was to complete the 100 miles in a max of 12 hours , and no faster than 10 1/4 hours.
Bike enthusiasts were in their element , sniffing around the diverse and fancy machines ,like dogs in a pack. All I can report is that there was at least one recumbent and one tandem.
Bike enthusiasts were in their element , sniffing around the diverse and fancy machines ,like dogs in a pack. All I can report is that there was at least one recumbent and one tandem.
For some reason Anne and Ted found themselves in a different group to the rest of us ,and after tea and biscuits were led off at 8.40 a.m. The weather was cloudy, but bright and quite warm, as Sue, Graham ,Tony and I were led off in our group at 8.55 a.m. We soon found ourselves cruising through lovely quiet country lanes, and as on previous sojourns in Essex, we were struck by the generally good condition of the roads ,compared to those in Hertfordshire. Our pace was brisk and I was not surprised that we arrived almost 10 mins earlier than scheduled at the 11's stop at Roundbush Green near Aythorpe Roding.
The catering on this event is carried out by a team of volunteer ladies, and the quality and quantity of food ,and the general organisation of break stops ,is legendary . Home made cheese scones, flapjacks tea/ coffee lived up to expectations and went down very well . All this was served to a schedule that enabled each group to depart at controlled times - to avoid meeting along the road.
It was on the next leg of the ride, a 25 mile loop back to Roundbush Green , that Anne made a spectacular dive into a ditch full of stinging nettles and other goodies. I am told that a branch over the road caused confusion ,which resulted in her loss of dignity. Fortunately she was not seriously injured , but was badly stung and developed bruises to be proud of. Her bike was undamaged , so despite her discomfort she continued ,and was able to finished the ride.
My Garmin showed our pace to the half way stop at 47.6 miles was 12.7 mph.
Lunch , which had been pre-ordered, was served by the volunteer ladies to each group as they arrived at their assigned tables. Again we were somewhat early , but this did not seem to caused any flap or catering problems. Most meals were baked potato with something ,plus salad/ coleslaw ~ then a Rhubarb crumble thingy.
The catering on this event is carried out by a team of volunteer ladies, and the quality and quantity of food ,and the general organisation of break stops ,is legendary . Home made cheese scones, flapjacks tea/ coffee lived up to expectations and went down very well . All this was served to a schedule that enabled each group to depart at controlled times - to avoid meeting along the road.
It was on the next leg of the ride, a 25 mile loop back to Roundbush Green , that Anne made a spectacular dive into a ditch full of stinging nettles and other goodies. I am told that a branch over the road caused confusion ,which resulted in her loss of dignity. Fortunately she was not seriously injured , but was badly stung and developed bruises to be proud of. Her bike was undamaged , so despite her discomfort she continued ,and was able to finished the ride.
My Garmin showed our pace to the half way stop at 47.6 miles was 12.7 mph.
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| The route ; starting and finishing at Mountnessing |
Lunch , which had been pre-ordered, was served by the volunteer ladies to each group as they arrived at their assigned tables. Again we were somewhat early , but this did not seem to caused any flap or catering problems. Most meals were baked potato with something ,plus salad/ coleslaw ~ then a Rhubarb crumble thingy.
On our third leg of the ride towards Takeley and Great Easton , our average rose to 13 mph until we caught up with the group in front. We stopped for a while , but caught up again a little later , and both groups arrived at the afternoon stop in procession.
Chocolate cake/ Carrot cake / Fruit cake / Lemon drizzle Cake and Oh , sandwiches were on offer, and many riders made a gallant attempt to comply with one of the caterers plea to "eat more cake". I know I did , but there was still lots left over.
It was at this point that Tony decided he had to cut the ride short and take the direct route back to the end point. He had an evening engagement and was concerned that he was running out of time. His magic Garmin told him this was 11 miles , so I guess he'd completed about 86 miles by the end of the day.
The final leg back to Mountnessing must have been a bit of a spectacle for onlookers. After Margaretting, a number of groups had converged, resulting in perhaps 60 riders in an apparently slow moving Pelaton .
One problem having a Garmin is that you know exactly what mileage is left , and the temptation is to keep checking. The last last 10 miles seemed to go on for ever, not helped by the fact that this section has the only real hills of the ride. We finally arrive at the finish at 7.10 p.m. , but the Garmin recorded only 99.13 miles! . In order to justify the certificate that was presented, I rode up and down the road until 100 miles was showing -- and I know Ted did the same. I thought I'd include it here , so that Tony could see what one looks like !
A great day out and a real challenge due to the mileage - and the quantity of excellent food . The organizers and helpers deserve congratulations and thanks for providing such a cheerful event.
Ray
Chocolate cake/ Carrot cake / Fruit cake / Lemon drizzle Cake and Oh , sandwiches were on offer, and many riders made a gallant attempt to comply with one of the caterers plea to "eat more cake". I know I did , but there was still lots left over.
It was at this point that Tony decided he had to cut the ride short and take the direct route back to the end point. He had an evening engagement and was concerned that he was running out of time. His magic Garmin told him this was 11 miles , so I guess he'd completed about 86 miles by the end of the day.
The final leg back to Mountnessing must have been a bit of a spectacle for onlookers. After Margaretting, a number of groups had converged, resulting in perhaps 60 riders in an apparently slow moving Pelaton .
One problem having a Garmin is that you know exactly what mileage is left , and the temptation is to keep checking. The last last 10 miles seemed to go on for ever, not helped by the fact that this section has the only real hills of the ride. We finally arrive at the finish at 7.10 p.m. , but the Garmin recorded only 99.13 miles! . In order to justify the certificate that was presented, I rode up and down the road until 100 miles was showing -- and I know Ted did the same. I thought I'd include it here , so that Tony could see what one looks like !
A great day out and a real challenge due to the mileage - and the quantity of excellent food . The organizers and helpers deserve congratulations and thanks for providing such a cheerful event.
Ray
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