The Peloton Strikes Back

Yesterday, our three intrepid time-trialists set out once more to smash the current 25k record, set last Saturday (see below article). Messrs. Pearson, Gimson, and Davidson met up on Chaucer Road, Cambridge, amidst scenes of excitement - Davidson had just acquired a pair of clip-in spd cycle shoes. So, after an hour or so of dynamic stretching and preparation of isotonic electrolyte drinks, the three sped off. At an average speed of 20mph for the first 20 minutes, the record looked set to be completely destroyed - but alas, destruction came swiftly and cruelly in another form...

Whilst riding in close formation at high speed over uneven ground, team member Gimson's water bottle shook loose from its cage. Selflessly, team member Davidson applied his brakes, in order to stop and pick up the bottle, forgetting in his haste that he was wearing his new clip in shoes. Time seemed to stand still as Davidson stopped, tried to take his feet off the pedals and put them on the ground to stabilise himself, but was unable to...

Taking what seemed an eternity, Davidson, still tragically strapped to his bike, fell in a slow arc, as the irresistible pull of gravity smashed him into the tarmac. His anguished cries of fear and pain, and embarrassment, will haunt this reporter to his grave.

With blood pouring from his wounded knee, Davidson was helped to his feet by his unsympathetic and near-hysterical team-mates. Stoically, he climbed back on his bike, unable to feel his body from almost the neck down, flicked the 'man-up switch', and carried on.

The peloton powered on, and despite the horrendous accident, still had the record in their sights. But it was not to be. Even with the heroic efforts of Pearson and Gimson battling the brutal gale-force winds just south of Addenbrookes, the 6.50 Cambridge-London Liverpool Street service put pay to their ambitions. The team had to wait for 5 minutes at the Little Shelford level crossing, and after that, a good time was impossible. The team arrived back at Chaucer Road inconsolable, battered, bruised, but full of steely determination to tackle the gruelling course again in the very near future....

Keep tuned,

J.O.

Ride stats:

Total distance: 17.2 miles, Time 1 hr 4 mins, Average speed: 16.8 mph, Top speed: 28.1 mph

25k Time Trial - Training Ride II

This past sunny spring Saturday, team members Gimson, Pearson and Davidson took to the picturesque roads of west and south Cambridge for a gruelling 25k time trial, in order to really kick start training on their magnificent new steeds. After a 45 minute session of intense carbohydrate loading in front of the Grand National, they headed out towards Grantchester - but disaster struck almost immediately. Not even 50 metres from home, the brake mechanism on Rory's bike (not one of the new bikes) sheared clean off. Accident investigators believe that the brutal power generated by his legs meant that the bike was just unable to cope.

Davidson, although clearly shaken by the incident, showed real mental strength in putting it behind him, and caught up almost immediately with the peloton (Gimson and Pearson). By the time they group reached Haslingfield, stopping only to pay homage at James van der Hoorn's house, they were into their stride. Gimson's enormous frame (see above image of him on a full-size motorbike) powered him up the hills, pulling the peloton along in his wake. Pearson's riding style exuded a confidence that bodes well for their upcoming endurance ride - he is Paula Radcliffe to Gimson's Raymond van Barneveld.

In a blink of an eye, the team were back where they started, having ridden 25k without really noticing it. Although the pace may have been leisurely, the three really looked like they enjoyed it, and they looked at home on the bikes. Now, if they can do that 5 times a day in 35 degree heat, for 28 days straight, they'll be in Casablanca no trouble - easy peasy?

Jeremy Ournalist

Training Ride

Hi readers, or as you are more commonly known, Alice!

Ed and I [Doble] went for a training ride today, and the new bikes are fantastic, so another big shout out to Rob at Ben Hayward for sorting the kit. Everything went off without a hitch despite a bumblebee flying into my nose and almost falling off saluting Granny Doble whilst attempting to conduct a Top Gun-style flyby of her house.

However, I'm mostly here to talk about something else. All of us keen cycling fans have been following the World Cycling Championships or whatever they're called (no brakes is pretty flair, but try doing it everyday for four weeks whilst sharing a tent with Hugh and no Bran Flakes Mr. Hoy - try that) and the bewildering kung-fu named team events where you do one lap on a unicycle then three laps behind Bradley Wiggins before sprinting past the confused looking French guy. Or something.

New Member...New Bike...

As the newest member of this elite endurance team I felt it was about time that I wrote on this blog thing. And apart from anything else its all a little too dominated by the boy Dean (aka General Doom) so I felt I'd bring some variety to this blog malarkey.
Last Christmas after much discussion with the boys about this trip, I found I couldn't really remember why I said no to the initial offer. Realising my mistake I agreed to get involved in this adventure, and frankly I cannot wait to get going.  This excitement was massively increased after a very productive team meeting chez Pearson where jobs and tasks were assigned, and more importantly I think we all realised that while there was lots to do, this trip was going to be something pretty special and a lot of fun.
Obviously the most pressing task is to get out cycling on the road and get fit.  So last Thursday I dropped in to Ben Hayward Cycles in Cambridge to pick up my new Trek 7.3 Touring bike.  The guys at Ben Hayward really have surpassed themselves, and have kitted us out with an incredible machine.  While I cant claim to have done much cycling in my time, any cycling I have done has been on a shoddy mountain bike, so in comparison this bike is glorious, smooth, comfortable and obviously suitable for 2000 miles of European and African roads.  As Dean mentioned earlier in the blog, they really are "jazz".  For those of us not quite so up to date with our Oxbridge slang...essentially our bikes are beaut.
Anyway, needless to say that I am pumped about being involved in such an exciting trip with "the lads", and more importantly I can think of few better ways to get a proper good tan than a month on a bike in France, Spain and Morocco in mid summer.
Think that's it for the moment, I'm certain that I've forgotten something I meant to say but hey...
Over and Out,
NG