Redhill CC rider and British Cycling Coach John Leitch inspired a great days mixed sportive cycling for club road riders on Saturday last.
Redhill riders displayed good form as the ad hoc team delivered the goods on a day of fair conditions in the well known Picardy Sportive.
With new clubman Kevin Stroud impressing in the longer Masters event and club veteran riders John Leitch, Graham Haysom and Andy Ramsay in the senior distance, all posted times well within the Gold Category standards (Brevet d'Or) of Sport Communication's efficiently run Sportive.
Not far from the Somme battlefields in northern France, over 135k or 187k distance, and routed on marshalled roads with several motorcycle outriders, photographers plus plenty of discerning local spectators; a few in dressing gowns at the early hour, the event seemed a desirable situation 'normale' occurrence rather than any impingement. This says a lot for the local French. Imagine a kaleidoscope ribbon of around 900 cog churning cyclists, pressing through small villages a little after dawn. Anywhere outside of France or Belgium, would this be normal for all but
tifosi?
Starting a little later than the planned 08:00 local time and streaming south out of Abbeville towards the first narrow bridge over River Somme; we met much early morning low lying mist and greasy roads. Forecast rain stayed away, and later dry roads and bright skies. On the rolling arable plains beyond the Somme valley, numerous small pelotons developed into self-serving, ever varying form, with the unsaid goal; cheat the northerly breeze to optimise energy and gain momentum.
After the small seaside resort of Ault and the sharp right at the sea wall, the water/food stop came at 91k, but shunned by many on a no-stop back to the finish or bust strategy. The return leg wind became favourable and average speeds picked up with fewer lumpy bits.
After the finish the pasta party - allowing the chance to chin wag with a high proportion British contingent, and for those with linguistic skills, the majority good French and Belgian club riders to reflect on the 'normality' of it all before our return.