Dark rain clouds, thunder and lighting would have been enough to put of the bravest of cyclist but thankfully there was a 12 hour weather window of 20 degree sunshine that allowed the 2007 edition of the Stratford Cycling Club Century ride. This year 3 start times were organised and the first group leaving at 0830 contained 7 cyclists, lead by Tony. In the second group at 0900 were 4 cyclists including John Bill, a century debutante. The final group was supposed to leave at 0930 but were still ordering coffee at 0935, eventually when they left the group was 9 strong.

The roads were dry and the wind light, when the sun appeared from behind the occasional cloud it was lovely and warm. In the 0930 group the pace started high with Mick and Marcus pressing the pace along the Loxley Road, little did the group know that these two were not intending to complete the whole ride, as news of their intentions spread the pace settled. For those new to 100 mile riding a slow start will ensure a slow finish, a fast start might mean no finish at all.

The route was designed to complete 100 miles by circling all the roads important to Stratford CC. The first 40 miles is the hilliest as the route passes over the roads used in the Brailes road race circuit and some of the reliability ride. This challenging section includes the first tea stop at the Cotswold Farm Park, the food was good and the stop was at about the right time. The 0930 group met with the 0900 group at this point as the earlier group left as the later group arrived.

The next section is 38 miles long and after 5 miles rolling along the Cotswolds past Broadway Tower the descent of Fish Hill into Broadway marks the start of the flat section to the Lenches. It was welcome to be able to bowl along the flat and get into a rhythm. These roads are familiar as the reverse of the Evesham Bash route. Passing Throckmorton marked the start of the Lenches, this is a really difficult area to ride in because of the short steep hills and small roads. The best bit about the Lenches though is the hospitality laid on at by Miranda at her house.

Heather provided the cakes which were up to the high standard that she always achieves and Miranda seemed to be attached to the worlds largest tea pot. As the 0930 group arrived the other two groups were tucking into tea and cake and relaxing in the sunshine. This was the first time that stories could be swapped between the groups and it turned out that the other two groups had made some minor diversions. John Condes, in the 0900 group, was relying on GPS to navigate which was very successful until the batteries died. At this point it took a while to find the right point on the map.

The 0830 group suffered from poor map quality which led to a bit of frustration and a small diversion, this group were issued a high resolution 1 inch to 1 mile set of maps at this point. The general feeling at the tea stop though was one of enjoyment and gentle fatigue, except Wedge who was suffering the sort of fatigue that we all get once in a while that rids one on their sense of humour.

After a welcome break of 30 minutes or so, the groups set off again. The 0830 group left first then the 0900 the shortly after the 0930 group. With about 23 miles to go back to Stratford the hammer was well and truly dropped in the 0930 group quickly passing the 0900 group on a climb then setting a very keen pace to chase the 0830 group. This pace just got hotter and hotter as the 0830 group seemed un-catchable, with an average speed of 21 mph for this final 23 miles the 0930 group never caught the 0830 group.

The lack of a catch was explained later when it turned out that the 0830 group made a wrong turn about 2 miles from Mirandas house and during the subsequent U-turn the 0930 group passed. The 0830 and 0900 groups then merged and rode back to Stratford together.

All the riders got home safely and in good time, the 0830 group averaging about 16mph the 0900 group about 17mph and the 0930 group just less than 18mph. Well done to all the riders for a strong, safe ride. Thanks to the group leaders and Miranda and Heather. Special congratulations to John and Dan Bill on completing their first 100 mile ride.

Tom Heenan
24/07/06