This was my first club ride for a number of weeks, due to racing and leading charity rides.  With a number of people now away 5 of us grouped just after 8.30.  Those present were Colin, Brett, Mike W and Danuta less Robert who couldn’t be bothered to get out of bed. 

The Classis route was promptly agreed and we rolled off toward Twyford with Brett setting the pace.  Crossing Howe Lane we have already dropped Mike and we eventually paused at the Shurlock Row 10tt start for Mike to catch up.  He shortly arrived complaining about struggling and thinking he should drop down to the Clock Tower group (more about that later).  The pace was brisk up the rise into Twyford but well below racing pace.  We rolled through the lights at Twyford and headed to the A4, where due to inconsistent driving / signalling an aging driver nearly took us all out.

Moving on to Playhatch, Brett made the break with myself in pursuit but I lost interest quickly, so Brett took and easy win with Colin coming up in third, with Mike still bringing up the rear.  The ride into Henley was done at speed and to no one’s surprise Mike arrived last.  So off up the Fair Mile which was slower than normal waiting for someone to catch a wheel.  Another short pause having turned right for Stoner and Pishill and Mike said he would shortly leave us and head for home. Up to Stoner we rode in pairs with Brett on the front all the time, with myself, Danuta and Colin taking turns to keep him company.  At the sharp left turn just before a pub, Brett kicked the pace up and Danuta instantly fell off the back, with myself tucking in behind Colin and Brett slowly pulled away.  After a few moments sitting in, I felt a little better so set off after Brett now 50m up the road.  After a bigger effort than I want I caught Bretts wheel and ponder what to do next.  Following Brett, it was clear by the breathing he was working hard, so just before the right as the road steepens I lifted the pace and was relieved that Brett didn’t follow.

On the road into Nettlebed and on to Sonning Common, we sort of got the through and off going but not as smoothly as in the past as we all appeared to be struggling for various reasons.  Brett or Colin won the race back down Playhatch.  Crossing Sonning bridge, Colin shot off with me thinking he was after a Strava sector.  Having regroup, colin said he recently lost a sector leaving Sonning, so wanted in back.  I haven’t check to see if he was successful.  The Twyford approaching, some of us started thinking about the Winery sprint.  Leaving Twyford, Brett set a positive pace up the hill and I was keen to lift the speed early right from the roundabout.  My plan went well down the hill and across the bridge, but with 50m to go,  I just didn’t have the energy for a true out of the saddle sprint and Brett easily took the win closely followed by Colin.

Heading back towards the golf club myself and Brett were lining up for the final sprint, when we saw Mike looking pretty happy heading away from the golf club.  I looked to see what Mike was doing and Brett took advantage and shot off for another win. 

All back at the golf club, Mike was clearly in high spirits and had been practicing around the 10 tt course claiming his early lack of performance was down to a sticking rear break.  I think that part of his secret training strategy.

To days distance was about 45miles.  By the top of Pishill our average speed was 17.7mph, but this had lifted to 19.3 by the time we got back to the golf club.  Full route details (including my extra ride home via Old Windsor) can be found at http://app.strava.com/rides/15248985