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
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ReplyDeleteWhat does J.O. in the signature stand for?
ReplyDeleteGiven the sporting theme I can only presume it is 'jeux olympiques' or some similarly pretentious reference.
I'd also like to point out that while Davidson was make a fuss over his knee, we lost a good 10 minutes in our attempt to destroy the record. Behaviour like this will not be tolerated on the way to Casablanca...
ReplyDeleteNG