Good communication can quite transform a club. We have several methods in the Wheelers but, as with any modern digital wonder, the message is only as good and true as the writer makes it. The night before the ride in question (it isn't in question at all, that bit just wrote itself, but I'll leave it in anyway) I thought that I would keep the Espressos informed, and sent out an email about the Inter Club Hill Climb. So, all of you on the Espresso list already know the rest of this sorry tale. For the rest, I got the wrong date. The HC is this coming Sunday, 18th October.

I sent out a correction within minutes, but the turnout was a bit low and I thought "they all lead such busy lives, they might have glanced at the first, wrong, mail then closed the computer to dash off to another crucial event/ meeting/ spinning session". Still, we had a new rider join us, James Gill is a medic based at WSH and has (like Dr Tom) ridden the Cambridge Tuesday Chain Gang (average speeds up to 27mph). Like Dr Tom, he didn't mention being dropped, or even struggling a little bit. I have found that this is a good indicator of indestructability in tough conditions. Treat with caution. As well as James, we had both Pauls (C & R) both Colmans (J & N) Adi, Jonathan Howe, Mr Chairman Barry Denny, Tricia (spinning the pain out her legs after Cyclo X the day before) and Myself (Stephen Hill).

Similar route to last week, without the loop to Brinkley and descent to Six Mile Bottom, and a straight route to Coffee & Co in Newmarket. Just about warm enough to sit outside, Paul C doing his usual (quite humbling, really) whirling around with the tables & chairs to ensure there was a place for everyone (though never one to put anyone in their place).

Then Paul spotted the photo op. You'll recognise the spot from the summer ride when John Dumont played dead in the Churchyard (at least, we all assumed he was playing - how that could all have gone tragically wrong . . .)




The journey home took the flat version of the two usual routes, and the pace was characterised by several surges of speed followed by calm stretches; very reminiscent of 3rds and Junior races back in the day. It was only your correspondent who suffered a bit on the high-speed bits. Tricia, who rode in from 9 miles north, and I, who rode in from 7.5 miles east covered 68 miles.

This Sunday, the 18th October, actually IS the hillclimb, so Polly and I will be riding out from home. There will be an Espresso ride for those who would prefer more miles.  SJH