WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN THE MONKEY HOUSE?
GORILLA RACING
We had 2 very different stories from peoples race days at the 100km off road Gralloch race in Scotland on Saturday.
Chris Mapp absolutely smashed it, to qualify to represent Great Britain at the World Age Group gravel championships later this year in Maastricht, Netherlands. Good work fella. (Ex of this parish Kyle Whoston also qualified, well done mate).
Then we had Rob Anderson and David King who broke down twice on the way up there, failed to register for the race in time, cycled back to the campsite along a bit of the course, and through a private field before Rob broke his deraileur hanger!!!
Last Tuesday Paul Astin raced the BMC time trial on the K1/10 course - a 10 mile route out of Knowle. Paul averaged over 40kph, to come home as the fastest road bike in a time of 24;03. Chapeau.
BMC in two wheels we trust have another 10 mile time trial tomorrow (Tuesday) - sign on at Knowle village hall between 6.15-6.45pm - first rider off at 7pm - there is a £5 cash entry fee ( i think), and you will need lights, if you fancy giving it a go. I plan to do it tomorrow, if anyone fancies joining.
GORILLA ENDURANCE
A number of the troop have been away on adventures:
Phil Hood, James Brown, Blake Timmins and Paul Astin rode Lon Cambria over a couple of days - train to Shrewsbury, ride to Aberystwyth , then ride home - 268 miles, 16,000ft of climbing over 3 days. Lovely stuff.
Oliver Agar and Neil Cocklin rode the 2023 Grand Day out route - 205km 1800m climbing - just because.
And Neil Ashton took a train to Derby, then rode home from there the long way round accumulating 207km , and 1600m of climbing on the way.
Well done everyone.
QOMs and KOMs
The Strava crowns i spotted this week are below. Congratulations to all:
KOMs
Neil Ashton
Mohammed Arif
Arlando Thompson
QOMs
Nicola Greenwood
Kelly Murphy
THURSDAY RIDES
The rides for Thursday are up on the club website - if it's your first time you can have a weeks freetrial if you use the coupon code FREERIDE25 when booking on. Some of the rides are already full after we notified people via the Club What's app community - members can join this via the website. But there is still space on:
Sarah Sprittles 16-17mph Earlswood loops
Rob Garratt 17-18mph hills
Pete Edwards 18-19mph Packwood ride
Graeme Garretts 19-20mph Meriden route.
See you Thursday.
Ride safe
Bruno