Fifth training session at Sproatley on 31st January. You wouldn’t put a dog out on a day like this, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if no-one had turned up for the training session.

Richard had managed to get out between showers in the morning to do his 25 miles. The 2.7 mile circuit had a few puddles, most of it is in good condition but there was a dreaded hedge-cutting operation going on the road from Burton Constable and we did have one victim.

Fourteen riders turned up and we got started in two groups at two o’clock after a wintry shower fortunately stopped fifteen minutes beforehand. Not knowing if the 14 were being brave or stupid I lined them up for a photograph but it was a miserable attempt on my part because I’d left the camera’s memory card stuck in my computer at home. Thanks to Rhys Barratt for sending me some pictures that he took, sadly not a photograph of the fourteen heroes at the start.

Here’s the lap times:

[table id=54 /]

Peter Fielding-Smith and Scott Burns (a Manchester lad) were too strong for the mixed Group One, originally eight riders, and they were left on their own after three laps.

The six riders that started in Group Two kept mostly together. Victoria Hood belies the appearance she has as a classy model from a glossy magazine and stayed with this back group throughout and got clarted up like everyone else.

Everybody looked as if they’d just finished the Paris-Roubaix. Enjoyment comes in many forms but this second group opted to do another lap after they were caught by the leading pair. We did intend to do eight laps but one got lost on the way somehow.

Our thanks to Mick Adams and Paul Hickabottom who turned out to help us marshal the circuit.

Photos from Jim’s Winter Training Session #5

Jim Sampson and Richard Guymer
Club Coaches

Photos courtesy of Jim Sampson, taken by Rhys Barratt. Many thanks to Jim, Richard Guymer and all the helpers for their efforts.