WEEKEND RIDE REPORT – SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2015

Saturday 28th February 2015.

 

Saturday’s ride had a spring like quality. While riders all over the region battled a wicked west,south westerly, it was certainly milder. A sign we may have seen the last of winter perhaps?

 

Our Saturday route was a 125km loop that never got too far from Colchester. This was the first weekend since launching membership to the ColVelo Collective and the turn out was great. We set off as nine, but in the knowledge that a few had to make tracks early and were not going to be in for the full distance. This is a luxury a route such as today’s provided. It was great to see those guys out, even if it was only for a few hours.

 

We rode out of Colchester to the south west stopping for a coffee and a bite to eat at Heybridge Basin. Another local club run had the same idea, as the place was overrun by riders. This was the sole break for caffeine this day, and it was back to the route heading up through Feering, towards Earls Colne, before making our way to Wormingford then onto Nayland and approaching Colchester from the north east.

 

While progress was steady when moving, we were hampered by a good amount of punctures and puncture related stoppage. This can’t be helped, and there is never an issue with our group stopping while such an issue is sorted. But it never fails to amaze how much time this can add to your ride. It’s best measured at the end of the ride, and if you’re lacking time to get back to the sanctuary of Velo! And a well made coffee, then you know it’s taken a while!

 

Conditions are looking fair for the week ahead. We have a great 150km ride on offer for Saturday taking in some really lovely roads deep into suffolk. And our 70km loop on Sunday should see you home in time to catch the start of Paris – Nice, The storied early season stage race…So the season is starting, although it never really finished for us here at ColVelo. We just watch the seasons change and keep turning pedals.

 

Onward.