The Anthony Maynard Sportive 2010

This was one of the best organised and signposted sportive so far. A well turned out event to remember Anthony Maynard who was tragically killed in a Road Traffic Accident whilst cycling two years ago.

This was going to be a tough ride, with the winds constantly gusting away, and the flat sections which should have been quite fast to make up time, ended up being a battle.

I started off in the 5th or 6th group of 20 riders, cycling amongst a group of Reading CC Cyclists, although I was aware of the advantages of cycling in such a large group, the speed seemed pretty low for such a big group, all cycling close together, they were moving along at around 18/18.5 mph on the flat and I felt that due to the Gold standard being an average of 19mph, I needed to do something. So I asked the chap to my right to create a little gap so that I could get out, I then cycled off in search of a faster back wheel.

 

Shortly after leaving this group, I went round a corner and was faced with a nasty looking hill, here I thought Oh No, I can't let them lot catch me up, I will look like a right prat,so I motored on, up the hill, maybe a little faster than I should. I continued to put my foot down after this and was then caught by a Fast chap on a TT-Bike. I thought this is the wheel I've been looking for, He passed me and I stuck on for many many miles. He nearly escaped me on a very steep downhill section, I managed to reach 49.4 mph, which is my fastest yet, and this guy was still edging further away from me. Once the ground flattened out I managed to catch him back up and stuck back to my original position on his back wheel.

 

Another couple of riders who we passed managed to join us and we all took it in turns to have a go at the front, the chap on the TT bike who would not budge from the front previously, was obviously starting to tire, and was happy for us to have a turn. Without him I would have been back a long long way, so I did not mind having a turn. One of the guys cycling with us was on a mountain bike, and he managed to stick with us for about 10miles, a very good effort.

 

Around the 50 mile mark, a very excited Marshall pointed towards a minor road shouting out "??????? This way" but couldn't quite make it out, but as the other guys turned into the road, I then heard another marshal shout out that that road was for food, and we should continue on the current road for the course. I attempted to get the attention of the other guys, but they continued towards the feed station.

 

I then realised that I was alone, knowing that I had 20 miles to go I thought it was going to be tough, every so on I kept looking behind me, looking for the yellow jersey of the guy on the TT-Bike.

 

i) in hope that I could get back on his wheel ii) also hoping that he doesn't catch me as it would be nice to beat him.

 

After nearly 12/13 miles I turned around and saw a yellow jersey quite far behind, I then instantly thought crap!!, he's caught me. with 3 miles to go, he caught up, and we had a brief chat, talking about how tough the last 15 miles had been. I got back on to his wheel and then my chain got trapped. Looking down it had looped twice, I haven't got a clue how that happened. But this had bent the chain, meaning it switches between the rear cogs. Therefore I couldn't get any decent speed over the last part. But I made it back in a good time, unfortunately 2minutes outside the Gold Standard, another Silver, but this time I go away happy.

 

Stats: 67.3 miles - 3hrs 39min - Av speed 18.5mph - 4,056ft of climbing

 

** I couldn't get a photo this time, the picture attached to the event is after the London to Brighton **

l2b