Nine MDCC riders met the timekeeper this morning on a chilly but dry Maidenhead Thicket course, setting off shortly after 9am as the second group among a total entry of 99 riders from 11 local clubs. With long trousers the order of the day, and a noticeable breeze to block progress on the way back from the turn in the dense cold air, fast times were never going to be on the cards. At the head of affairs as first Maidenhead rider to cross the finish line, Peter Weir held top spot in the timings with exactly 23 minutes for almost an hour and a half, before being narrowly pipped to fastest time of the day by Peter Dixon of the Willesden, with 22:58.

Our second Reliability Trial over 100km took place this morning starting from Bray Wick Sports Ground Car Park on what seemed to be a good morning. 15 riders set off initially in a combined group but the fast group were eager to press on and the medium group decided to leave them to it after a few miles. It was good to see so many new members taking part including in the fast group Dominic, Matthew and junior Callum who seems to be gaining confidence with every ride.

There seems to be plenty of enthusiasm already this year to ride Sportives and also local AUDAX events. Possibly the new John Parfitt Sportive Trophy has something to do with it.

I've started a forum thread on Sportives and AUDAX events  so that members can use it to list events that they are riding to enable groups of members to organise themselves together to target specific events and also share transport if they want. .