No photos this week, but a nice video taken by Kylie, so experimenting with a slightly different format for the Jags ride report.
This week a baker’s dozen mustered, and we were pleased to welcome Nick (lifelong cyclist and sailor with some tall tales to tell), Rob W (cycled the Pyrenees and now getting back into cycling after a layoff) and new youngest member, whippersnapper Liam (elite runner coming back from injury, studying architecture and interior design).
The route was an extended and reversed version of Jags Winter Classic Not Bottom Lane (why it is called that is a long convoluted story, best lost in the mists of time). Not a fast route - in fact the most complicated route ever according to Lynn but one that makes the most of autumn colour.
Two steady groups (Jags do like to undersell themselves) led by Andi and Mike, with Andi’s group (comprising Nick, Liam, Rob W, Sarah F, Amardeep, and Kylie) setting off first, followed by steady group 2, Mike, Lynn, Steve T, Mark M, Rory and Pat.
After warming up on Harvest Hill, Andi’s group pulled over for a group riding briefing from Kylie. A good refresher for everyone. Meanwhile steady group 2 sneaked past, and remained out in front (beyond the horizon) for the rest of the morning.
A reasonably uneventful ride, with lots of chat (as evidenced by the bios for newbies listed earlier!), a few missed turns, a couple of dropped chains (soon remedied) and everyone spinning along nicely (see video!).
After a circuit through the Beeches, skirting along Black Park, Gerrard’s X, into Beaconsfield, and back to Bourne End, for the decision of the day. Whether to cut short and beetle back to MSC on the flat route, or to stick with it via Cookham and over Quarry Wood? Mike’s group took the former, while Andy’s group (some of whom didn’t know any better) choose to stick with the route and the extra unnecessary hill.
Needless to say there was a warm welcome at MSC, with bacon rolls and cake always going down well.
Well done to Nick, Rob & Liam on your first Jags rides. And thanks to everyone for an entertaining and social outing.
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