Before setting off on todays ride the group had a discussion about BB30 bottom brackets and the fitting of oval chainrings to a compact SRM. All very technical and only of direct interest to a couple of the group. Today Les took the initiative and led the group with support from Brett, via the Beehive pub and Pinkneys Green, heading for Marlow. The group took a short pause at Danuta Towers as Robert had left his food at home. Mum’s do worry about their children and Danuta was the perfect example. I led for the initial part of the decent down Quarrywood Road, but was quickly past by Simon, Mike and Callum who went round the hairpin bend at nearly twice my speed (it doesn’t take much effort to pass me going down hills). Leaving Marlow we headed up towards Frieth. Myself and Robert spent most of the climb half wheeling each other wondering if we had the interest or ability to drop the other. In the end we arrived together, with the others all arriving individually. During the climb Roberts heart rate went to around 190-200bpm with mine getting to 164 which more of a reflection in our age difference than any fitness levels. Over the cross roads at Frieth we quickly arrived at Fingest heading towards the climb at Dolesden. On the approach to the hill I know as Windmill Hill, I did suggest going that way, but Les gave a very short NO, so I dropped that idea for this week. Just prior to the main Dolesden climb Mike thought he hit something, so a quick pause to check his bike. Danuta continued onto the climb giving the rest someone to chase down. Brett was the first to catch Danuta, followed by Robert, who lost out after pulling his foot out of the cleat (just too much power). Heading on through Northend, Simon put on a sprint to take the win into Christmas Common. As usual the group got its act together with through and off to Pishill and then onto Sonning Common. Robert took the sprint up the climb into Sonning Common, after I forgot where the finish line was and backed off to soon. The ride back to the golf club now felt much easier helped by a tail wind. With the group now all aware of the sprint finish point approaching the golf club, the lead out train formed up early. Les set the initial pace leaving Shurlock Row, then handing over to Simon over the motorway bridge, who continued for a lean cross over the Howe Lane roundabout, I then took over as the road, dropped down slight and lifted the pace with Mike and Brett still in tow. Steadily lifting the pace I was expecting one of them or Callum to make a break for the line. This never happened. Back at the golf club I found that Mike got cramp and hence didn’t stay on my wheel, leaving a too larger gap for Brett and Callum to bridge. Todays ride was about 45miles done at 18.9mph.