The Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 50 mile reliability trial has been running for some 25 years now and is, perhaps, the “official” start of winter training on the south coast. The route has not changed much over the years, the clockwise, anti-clockwise format adding some variation. Heavy overnight rain had left the lanes full of standing water as the smaller than usual groups headed out against the ticking hand. The sun was bright but the wind was strong. Water draining from the fields and hedgerows deposited gravel, grit and thorns on the roads, punctures were inevitable. The wind slackened and the sun shone, there was even temptation to remove gloves. A few hours earlier the driving rain had made more than a few change their plans, the 85 starters, (67 finishers) almost 100 less than last year.More than a few who targetted all four trials, saw there hopes dashed at the first hurdle with DNS against their names. The weather always seems worse looking out of the window and collective suffering is never as bad as the individual variety. Text messages asking “are you still riding today” are better left unsent, good mates will never let you live them down! 4Hours (including 30 mins for punctures) 70 miles total
Spot on ED, the day turned out OK and was not near as bad as initially feared. The days of the 50 followed by a "session" in "The Horns Inn" seem a long time gone but is still a fond memory.
ReplyDeleteYes Mick, that's about the only change,the 50 in 4 used to start at Bear Cross and finish at The Horns Inn, Deansgrove (only one group in those days). It was always a cheering sight to see all the bikes lined up outside the public house and welcome refreshment within. The route still passes the hostelry but since the introduction of the alternating direction we rolled by this year at 09:45!
DeleteCan recall signing in post ride at Clubroom when we switched from Bear X and after light refreshments, riding down Oakley Hill and up past Colehill cricket pitch to Horns Inn. We then recreated those heady days of the pub finish with a 4(pints)in 2(hours). We knew loads about nutrition and rehydration back then.
ReplyDeleteMick, Next up is the 100km on 2 December. Used to be known as the hilly 100 it started the other side of the chain link ferry at Shell Bay,if you missed the ferry, tough luck, the clock was ticking, the route included a loop around steeple in the Purbecks, a narrow lane not often ridden. The 100 used to finish at the Little Chef Restaurant west of Lake Gates Rndbt on the A31. An odd mix of muddy cyclists and families with nothing better to do!!
ReplyDeleteThat was truly a "real" hilly, especially when it did that narrow up and downer left from Corfe Castle to Swanage and that left hander in Purbecks after Church Knowle. Recreated it a few years ago when I was still going OK and found it hard even in summer. Little Chef eh? Remember that they had "Jubilee Pancakes" on the menu, most apt.
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