[Editor’s note: This week marks 6 whole months since the UK entered lockdown.]
In the week we’re preparing for our Barry Covington memorial rides, I’m not sure we needed reminding that we sometimes take our lives in our hands when we go out on our bikes, mixing it with impatient drivers and imperfect roads. We certainly didn’t need such a brutal reminder. It was heartening to see an outpouring of sympathy and best wishes for Andy Williams and we wish him a speedy recovery from what sounds like a nasty, painful crash.
Maybe it’s a sign that we have become a more caring community that it took all the way up to the 60th addition to the Facebook post before someone insensitively asked how the bike was.
Too soon, James, too soon!
It seems to have been a reasonably quiet year for tumbles, but we are just getting into what I always think is the ‘danger zone’ – that time of year when night comes early, roads are wet and slick with mouldy leaves and car drivers are not yet attuned to night driving.
Please, let’s be careful out there.
Barry Covington Memorial Rides – Sunday 4th October
Don’t forget to sign up for the morning rides and for the afternoon crit training sessons in the afternoon. Please sign up now so we can get ride leaders organised.
Sunday Rides
For this Sunday, sign up on RiderHQ for the ride of your choice. It is open for booking at 6pm Friday. Don’t panic if you don’t get on a ride, we are putting on extra groups each week and please put your hand up if you’re okay to lead an extra group. Just let me know. More detailed instructions on the website.
We have some spots for leaders. Please let Niki know if you can help.
| Ride | Leader | Departure Location | Departure Time | Distance (miles) | Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long 4 | Gareth Wall | SE20 Cycles | 7:15 | 45-55 | 17+ |
| Long 3 | Mike Burt | Crooked Billet | 7:30 | 45-55 | 15-16 |
| Longer 3 | James Hanscomb | Crooked Billet | 7:15 | 70-75 | 14-15 |
| Long 2 | Niki Wilson | SE20 Cycles | 7:45 | 45-55 | 13-14 |
| Long 2 (2) | Alwyn Gosford | Corner of Kent House Road / Beckenham Road | 9:00 | 60 | 13-14 |
| Long 1 | TBC | Crooked Billet | 8:00 | 50 | 11-12 |
| Short 4 | TBC | SE20 Cycles | 8:15 | 30-35 | 15-16 |
| Short 3 | Basky Thilaganathan | Crooked Billet | 8:30 | 30-35 | 13-14 |
| Short 2 | TBC | SE20 Cycles | 8:45 | 30-35 | 12-13 |
| Short 1 | Ben Millard | Crooked Billet | 9:00 | 30-35 | 11-12 |
| Short 1 (2) | Katie Ferguson | SE20 Cycles | 8:30 | 30-35 | 11-12 |
| Steady | Barry Graham | SE20 Cycles | 9:15 | 24-27 | 10-11 |
Kit in the Garden
Saturday 26th September 2020 from 10am to 12noon.
More details to come, but we are currently reviewing kit suppliers. We’ve been with Bioracer since the club started and they have been a great partner, but it’s important that we keep looking at what’s on the market. We’re also due a re-design having made the decision to reduce the presence of sponsor logos.
I am going to be at SE20 Cycles with a mouth-watering collection of cycling kit from other potential suppliers for you to have a look and feel. (With freshly sanitised hands obviously)
So, come along and help shape our future!
Strava Leaderboard
Maybe I should just leave Tash, Mike and Niki in the ‘Longest Ride’ column on a permanent basis. Some great adventuring from Fiona too and some hardcore gravel for Grant and Seb. Quite a week.
Closing Thoughts
Have a great weekend.
James Hanscomb, Chair of Penge Cycle Club.