Reliability Ride – how did it go?

On the nicest Sunday morning of the year so far 18 riders took up the challenge to see how their winter riding had paid off. Jeff and Dan sorted the route maps ready for issue as the eager riders began to appear. Sara, Anne, Alex and Triton Man Graham were first up and it was clear to see a chink in the Triton Man armour – he was cold after riding in from Hasguard Cross!

These four chose the 51m route and set off at 8.30am with the map and directions from Pembrokeshire Yacht Club which must be one of the nicest “start” venues for a bike ride ever especially on a day like that.

Shortly afterwards the 30 milers began to arrive ready for their 9.30 start. A larger group of 10 had gathered to sign in when Sue received a call came from someone who had gathered at the wrong yacht club – a fine start! Neverthless the rider in question intercepted and joined the group for a section of the ride before returning home . . . . to Burton.

Much discussion was had about lane names, the Bulford Road closure, and deciding whether we would pass “The Huntsman” to the left or right and once an approximate agreement was reached, off they rode through the seaweed strewn by the previous very high tide and up the Murco Jetty Road. Dan and Jeff looking relieved as the group left the seafront and turned the right way. Hopefully by now father and son team Neville and James had decided who was going to be in the lead on returning and Gloria would have the map the right way up. But they could all relax in the knowledge that if they went adrift, Simon would always take them down a road that “comes out somewhere”.

Next came the 10am start for the 30m ride. The only participant riding solo and the only Garmin user to confirm he wasn’t going to use it although by the stories to be told by others later he certainly was’nt alone! Andrew set off with his usual enthusiasm and hats off to him for going solo.

Following soon after, Nigel and Phil were joined by Matt from the Dynamos looking for a bit of extra training. Now Nigel had left his glasses or phone or both home – I’m not sure which, and held the map with his arm at full stretch focus as I explained the route while Phil took in the views of the bay, with dreams putting his knee op off in favour of summer cycling. Of course they nodded with assurance that they knew what I was saying. I wondered if Matt’s training would be more map reading than cycling but was proved wrong when they returned together all smiling.

With all riders out on the road Dan left to see if his wife had recovered from the Ireland victory and Jeff went home to bake cake forgetting he had mentioned that in the advert for the ride. Nice one. I though it would tempt a few more.

Having agreed to return to PYC (which is in Milford by the way) by 12 in case they came back early Jeff loaded the car with cake and set off to meet Dan. With the precision of a Cavendish lead out train they arrived as one to relax and soak up the sun with expectation of the first riders back.

Surprisingly there had only been one call, from Andrew, having taken a wrong turn and he was aimed back on track and apparently passed riders doing the same ride at some point but in the opposite direction. We’ll put it down to getting back on track. Bulford Road did cause a problem and alternative routes had to be found by some riders and in the true nature of the event they refused a lift on a digger and returned to the cycle path to get back on track.

All except the retired rather than tired riders returned a bit later than the target time which included several first time 30 milers. The slower times was unanimously agreed as down to the Chairman’s vertical fetish . . . and Sue is gonna get him on behalf of the gang! The cake was consumed with ease. The tea and coffee quenched the thirst. And by the laughter and mickey taking that went on, it would be difficult to suggest that it was anything but a success and definitely something the club can look to build on in the future.

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