Saturday afternoon was just fine for the training session weatherwise and thirty riders turned up to take part in the penultimate ride around Sproatley. Unfortunately I was very short of help – only Les Barratt really – and Sheila was so harassed with riders shouting that there were marshals missing that she lost count with the lap boards and watch and consequently we did eight laps instead of the scheduled ten. Simon Carruthers, Charlie’s dad, was kind enough to help me with turn on to the main road at Sproatley but the turn near Flinton was left unmanned.

We started in three groups.

In group one we had Richard Vickers, Gary Knowles, Martin Parker, Paul Shepherd, Mark Walker, Joe Dean, Charlie Carruthers and Andy Faichney.

Group Two was Nick Rogers, Stewart Fraser, Matthew Johnson, Mark Symons, David Martindale, Richard Dean, Glenn Harrison, Shaun Nicholson and Rob Stones.

Group Three comprised David Walker, Craig Scaife Stuart Fletcher, Dave Hudson, Mike McLeavy, Sean Nicholson, Mike Kilgour, Victoria Hood, Phil Tillison, Malcolm Johnson, Andy Vaughan, Gary Brearley and Paddy Hunter.

Apart from the last group they held together pretty well, conditions, road and weather were almost perfect. Pity we couldn’t have split the last group in two. I don’t like to see riders come off in ones and there were a number going around solo. If you find yourself on your own, turn around to meet a group or individual you can ride with.

I still believe you start too fast, I can tell by the way the lap times fluctuate. Group two has a consistency that the other groups lack, perhaps this is Rob Stones’ influence.

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Group 3 were caught on their seventh lap.

Overall it was a really good session, I think this happens when the weather’s kind.
Next week is the last one for this year. Thanks again to Les and Simon, and also to Sheila. If you’re reading this and not got anything planned for next Saturday afternoon, please come along and help for an hour.

Jim Sampson