late on Friday, riders began assembling at our cottage base way out on the western flank of the Llyn Peninsula tucked away miles from anywhere. With the beers chilling and the fire roaring, thoughts turned to eating. Aside from ensuring routes were prepped for the weekend the other main goal was to keep the attendees fuelled and watered, and with this come ours first extension of thanks. Katie and Jenna looked after us perfectly. Plentiful cooking and snacks presented with a smile. Thanks ladies. Your efforts were outstanding and it was great to have you along with us for the weekend. No doubt our riding would have suffered without your help.

Day 1 – The Tour of the Llyn.

Saturday morning was an early start. With the alarms primed for 7.30am. Not to play to all the 1950’s stereotypes you might pick from the previous paragraph, there was certainly ColVelo representation in the kitchen to ensure everything was cooked, prepped and brewed for the morning ritual loved by cyclists the world over. A massive breakfast! Having taken our time roll out was a leisurely 9am. The sun was shining, and the riders were treated to clear blue skies with a touch of a breeze. About as perfect as conditions in this part of the world get in May, and with serious group deliberation and clothing decisions made, we rolled out.

Without dwelling, one minor mechanical disrupted the mornings riding, with a few back and forth trips to the cottage from the 10km marker for a few riders was needed.  As a result the decision was taken to split the group and allow those who felt the legs needed to get turning a chance to get ahead and take a run at the soon to be encountered inclines.

A short while later both groups were on the roads and making progress through the undulating patchwork of fields that make up the interior of the Llyn Peninsula. There is no training that can be done in the rolling terrain of Suffolk and Essex that prepares you for the ramps and gradients encountered in these parts. You never seem to be pedalling on the flat. You’re either descending, or climbing. It’s hard to find a rhythm and the downhill bits don’t give you a chance to spin the legs out after a burning 18% ramp. Where you may bully a climb in Essex into submission, out here you can’t do that and the sharp hills keep you honest. They’re long enough that trying to muscle over in the big ring will see you blowing up in the first 50km, and steep enough that it’s sensible to measure your effort and keep your backside in the saddle! Our first ride on the trip was 130 kilometres and had over 2,500 metres of elevation. Not bad going over the distance. With the sun beating down it was a challenging day for all and when we rolled into the cottage (a little later than expected) It was clear many of the riders were surprised by what this little known area of Wales could serve up in terms of a cycling challenge. Dinner was devoured along with a hearty dose of beer and wine – Recovery; ColVelo style. Thoughts that evening turned to Saturday where the riding would take us in-land. To Snowdonia and the route known locally as the Dog. 5 notable climbs with some sting in the tail….

Day 2 – The Dog.

Day 2 of the ColVelo Wales Weekender, and the Queen Stage lays in wait, the route more fondly named The Dog.

An early start was required, with a forty-five minute drive to Llanberis, our starting point within the boundaries of Snowdonia National Park. Following a calorie packed breakfast, we loaded the bikes in the Colchester Motorglass van and set away for what we knew would be a testing day.

You could be forgiven for thinking The Dog was the name given to just one particular narly climb. You would be wrong. The Dog, is actually the shape of the route, which contains not one, but five lung busting ascents. Covering 130 kilometres and ascending 2,500 meters, we were in for a tough day.

We unloaded the bikes and prepared for a day in the saddle. The weather looked particularly mixed and certainly not as warm as Day 1. Wales, was a constant reminder of how impossible it can be to dress correctly in mid May.

Upon Leaving the car park in Llanberis, we suddenly became engulfed by hundreds of men and women dressed in lycra. We rolled out, just as the bike section of the Slateman Triathlon was gathering pace. They were heading for the gruelling Pen-y-Pass, as luck would have it, so were we!

It was a flat roll to the foot of the pass, with Triathlon rider after Triathlon rider on their carbon weapons zipping past the ColVelo Collective. As the gradient started to rise something unexpected started to happen. It may have been a dodgy batch of energy gels or something of the sort. The triathletes started to slow significantly as the ColVelo Collective bumbled past them, chatting about steel, carradice bags and cardigans. We did feel for one particular female triathlete who must have had a particularly bad gel. As we passed her half way up the climb, she was off her bike, violently vomiting over a beautifully constructed dry-stone wall. Strangely, 10 minutes earlier she had raced past us at the foot of the climb. These were fast acting gels, that’s for sure.

Pen-y-Pass was a stunning ascent. A long, winding climb, with breathtaking views and Tarmac smooth as silk. At 8km and 250m of climbing, that was one of the five climbs done and we were soon rolling at pace down the 25km of decent to Betws-y-Coed for our first planned coffee stop.

Refreshed from our caffeine hit, we moved on once more. A little bit of flat riding was giving the Collective a false sense of security. Before we knew it, ascent number 2, the Nebo Road Hill Climb was upon us. On first blush Nebo Road was a steady climb, but as the crest became closer, the gradient increased topping out at 20%.  4.7km and 270m of ascent, climb 2 was complete and the the pain was starting to be felt. What goes up, must come down, another well earned descent was needed, we cruised to the foot of what would be the next part of the story, a painful story at that

When a Strava section is labelled ‘Not For The Faint Hearted’ you are aware that this may not be a walk in the park. A climb solely named ‘B4407 Climb’, was bleak, windy and sheep infested. The beautiful unused road surface did not make up for the harsh nature of this terrain. Not a car to be seen, just sheep after sheep watching and bleating as you suffer this energy sapping ramp. Nearly 8km in length, with 4.5km of that at an average gradient of 9%, on top of a nasty head wind, two cattle grids to negotiate, it really did sort the men out from the boys. None the less, climb 3 completed, eventually, and we move on to the next. At this stage it was a box ticking exercise, but what we didn’t know, was the best was still to come.

The queen stage of the day, a ride up and then down on the same road. The smart amongst you would say ‘ why bother’. Fortunately, we were not smart. A closed road to Stwlan Dam was our focal point. A shorter, but still brutal rise among a scene more fitting of Lord of the Rings. Heather, rocks, slate and gravel a plenty. Only 3km in distance, with an average gradient of 10% with switch backs kicking up well into the 20% range to boot. For most, the best climb of the weekend, the beauty outweighed the demanding cycling. The view at the crest was unimaginable, and for this unforgettable view, the pain was worth it, a memory that will last a life time. Climb number 4 done, and we start the roll back down the road we have just ridden! Foolish hey! Are we nearly there yet?

100km in and we know we are not far from the finish line. Simple maths helps me along the way. 30km to finish, the last climb is 13km long, the decent home is 8km, leaves 9km of unknown. Part of the unknown turned out to be a lump, climb 4a! Not worth mentioning in Wales, but at 2.5km with 160m of accent and over 100km in the legs, this ‘lump’ was significant, especially in pan flat Colchester terms. To add insult to injury, Big Stu lost his rear mech in his spokes following a ding to the rear mech hanger, ride over for Big Stu. Luckily for him, the ever present Colchester Motor Glass van was there to pick up the pieces. Big Stu jumped in the van super quick and we were on our way. 4a done and dusted, we could smell the finish line.

Climb 5 was the longest drag of the day, a more rhythmical climb. Constant in gradient, but ultimately, still going up! This took us back up the other side of Pen-Y Pass. Not as visually beautiful, however the terrain was ever changing. With 13km of climbing left to scale, 300m of ascent, and the end was in sight, but not yet in touching distance. It was a slow 13km, but we made it, some significantly faster than others! We rode up and over Pen-y-Pass once more and knew 8km of gravity fed descending was the last mental effort.

We all rode back down Pen-y-Pass reliving memories of 7 hours earlier and our encounter with a Triathlon. Safely back to the car park we were glad to be done. Everyman spent. The Dog had taken a bite, but we were still standing, just! An unforgettable route, perhaps just once in a lifetime.

Well done to all that rode, and we hope you enjoyed the trip as much as we did.

Rob & Will – The ColVelo Collective.

The post The ColVelo Collective – Wales Weekender. May 2015. appeared first on ColVelo Cycling Collective.

We’re kicking off our packed Bank Holiday Weekend with a ride of substance. Four counties, mixed landscapes and a full day in the saddle taking in the beauty of East Anglia.

Colchester – Swaffham – Colchester (283km) – https://www.strava.com/clubs/110216/group_events/26485

We’ve been leading up to this ride since the start of the year. Diaries marked for what is set to be a highlight of 2015. Rolling hills,  Fenland and endless sprawling countryside… All while pedalling. Leaving Velo! at 7am on Saturday the 2^nd May, this unsupported club run winds its way north to the market town of Swaffham in Norfolk before an about turn and a beeline for the Essex Village of Wivenhoe on the banks of the river Colne, 133km to the south. The finish line is the Black Buoy Pubs Annual beer festival for a well deserved pint. With any luck you can join us on the ride, but if not, perhaps join us at the end to help us celebrate what is sure to be a brilliant day on the bike.

Sunday 3^rd May 2015

A quick breakdown of Sunday and all that we have going on…

10.30am – 45km Sunday Club Ride:

Following the grand Colchester-Swaffham-Colchester (CSC), we will be running a short ride on Sunday. A spin for those who cannot make Saturday, but also as a recovery ride for those who rode the CSC and need to loosen the legs. 10am for coffee before a 10.30am roll out.

https://www.strava.com/clubs/110216/group_events/36651

3pm -5pm – Tour de Yorkshire:

Following the ride, get yourself home, cleaned up and head back to Colchester. Our good friends at Velo will be showing the final stage of the Tour de Yorkshire on their big screen. A great opportunity to watch Sir Bradley Wiggins on his first competitive stage race with new outfit Team Wiggo. Snacks and refreshments will also be available for those who maybe thirsty.

6pm Onwards – Drink at Three Wise Monkeys:

To round out proceedings, we would like to share a drink with club sponsor, Three Wise Monkeys. A bar that is close to our heart, with a shared interest in beer! 20 beers on tap and many more bottled, a great opportunity for the ColVelo beer connoisseurs to get stuck into some rare ales. Read more using their link below:

http://www.threewisemonkeyscolchester.com

If you can make some of it, or all of it, we would welcome your support.

We hope to see you this coming weekend for some bike and beer fun.

The post ColVelo – Bank Holiday Weekend – The Grand Plan. appeared first on ColVelo Cycling Collective.

After basking in sunshine for most of the week, and with forecast looking fair for Saturday, it was a little disappointing to wake to the patter of rain in the morning.  A tidy crew assembled at Velo! with a couple of riders only intending to join us for the first part of the ride, we knew the group would shrink at some point.

Saturdays ride was a homage to the rides that follow the Cobbled classics, the start of the Ardennes classics see some crazy winding routes, over large distances with plenty of Ascent. Our Saturday ride searched out the hills and lumps that are so few and far between in North Essex and stitched them together into a route picture that resembled a handful of tangled fishing wire.  135km and fifteen fine climbs were the target for the day. Although hampered by some miserable early ride weather and getting a proper soaking, the winters efforts seem to be paying off.  A pace that never really caught fire to blow the group up, but never let up, regardless of what terrain we encountered. With the group reduced and set to six riders for the final 70km plenty of turns were taken** and a fantastic team effort ensued. We were lucky that with 50km to go the sun made an appearance and dried up the tarmac for the final push to Velo.

This ride was considerably lumpier than anything we would usually see on a ride of this length in the area. For context our Bank Holiday ride (CSC) at 280km’s, is 145km’s further and only climbs an additional 600m over the ride we  billed as Fleche Colchester (!?) – I think the rolling and punchy nature of the ride made for a fun outing and it would seem this sentiment was echoed by those that went the distance. Another one to add to the rotation, and with some finessing and tinkering…We can get more climbs and eek up the distance too. Who doesn’t love distance and climbing?!

**The riders known only as Roy Vandenburgh and Andrew Terpstra were electric up at the front and added some sparkle to this ride. Chapeau boys.

Sunday 26th April.

Following an epic day of riding on Saturday, we decided on a shorter, slightly more sedate ride on Sunday.

 Just to remind us that summer is still not here, a grey and wet morning was the order of service. A motley crew of 8 braved the grim conditions. We sipped our coffee slowly at Velo as the clock ticked to 08:30. The roll out was the hard bit, but once underway the the blood started to flow.

 Our route headed directly from Colchester and towards the rolling country village of Bures. As a no drops ride, the leash was pulled on the excitable duo of McNulty and Foley. Once TOLD by road captain Evans to ‘soft peddle’ the duo held back and the group as one juggernaut rode through Boxford and onto Hadleigh where we pulled up for a coffee stop at the dependable Crabtree Cafe.

 Now warm and full of caffeine (and bacon in one particular case) we set of once more. The roads starting to dry, we took a direct route back into Colchester and the safety if Velo.

 A couple of new faces amongst the old, a lovely ride and good fun had by all. Next week, more of the same!

The post WEEKEND RIDE REPORT – 25TH & 26TH APRIL 2015. appeared first on ColVelo Cycling Collective.

With most riders adding 10 to 20km onto their ride to make the start for Saturday in Dedham, and 8 to 12km on Sunday for the Tendring meet, the rides were ever so slightly longer than billed. Both rides this weekend were mapped on quicker roads and a slight departure from our favoured quiet lanes. But this was a chance to up the pace a little and take advantage of some dry conditions and milder weather. The groups held together well both days, and with fitness improving all around this makes for a great riding experience. Moving as a mini peloton makes for a much more fun and social ride as opposed to the strung out line of riders. It’s also pleasing to see the development of ColVelo as club and the ever increasing attendance. It’s our goal that we maintain the social side of the ride and that all our members know each other, and have a chance to socialise and ride together as much as possible.

With another Bank Holiday just around the corner our plan is to ramp up the social side with some events and meets. With Colchester-Swaffham-Colchester (CSC) taking pride of place on Saturday 2^nd May 2015, the Sunday (3^rd May) will be all about the social! A light spin is planned for the morning, then it’s back to Velo! for refreshments and the final stage of the Tour De Yorkshire. Proceedings will then move down the High St to our club Sponsor The Three Wise Monkeys for a beer or Two. Details to follow on this.

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Saturday took a few members by surprise, lulled into a false sense of security by the wonderful weather enjoyed in the week, a few of us had forgotten to check the forecast. The wind was howling from the start, and we were met at the halfway stage by some torrential rain showers. Where did spring go?! The wind was particularly brutal and it felt like we were riding into it for the majority of the ride. The tail wind that was eventually enjoyed arrived hand in hand with some overdue sunshine. As the showers departed we not only had the wind, but the warmth of the sun on our backs. A grimy ride for the most part, but befitting of the weekend. It hasn’t rained at Paris – Roubaix since 2002, we were hopeful this may signify an end to that ‘dry’ run and some inclement weather may be on the way to liven up the cobbles of Northern France.

As we woke Sunday morning we were greeted by glorious conditions. Warm sun, a bit breezy, but a return to form and a return of spring. A large group assembled with yet more new faces. The pace was quick from the off and rarely let up for the duration of the ride. We had the pleasure of welcoming our youngest rider to date. At fourteen, Silas Warren mixed it up at the front with some really strong riding. Having spent the winter on the track he’s starting of the spring/summer in fine form. Hopefully he’ll join us again as the year rolls on.

Once back at Velo! it was all about the Belgian beers and cycling on the big screen. An impromptu Sweep stake organised by one of the collective added an extra level of interest in the race, if not only for the large amount of unpronounceable 400 and 500 to 1 riders that made it into the hat?!  A fantastic afternoon and a great time had by all. We’ll be enjoying more social events in the near future. We’ll be letting you know about our plans for the first May bank holiday very soon. Watch this space.

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With this being the second running of ‘RVA’ – We had tweaked a few parts from the 2014 route to include some new bits from the year of riding that followed last year’s edition.

Roll out was just after 7am on Monday morning – There was a subdued atmosphere in the cafe this morning, I think this had more to do with the time everybody had their alarm sound as opposed to any concerns about the ride…..I hope?! The weather was set fair for Monday. A touch breezy, but clear and bright for large parts of the day. We really couldn’t have hoped for a better day to thrash out a big ride.

Newmarket was our first stopping point at roughly 100km. There had been a distinct split in the group in the run in towards Newmarket with some riders having less miles in the legs than others. Their effort was compounded by battling the wind that was about on their own, always working harder to keep up with some riders who were winter hardened. We lost one rider at Newmarket, bowing out with the prospect of another 150km likely too much this early in the season. But without setting off you never know how you might go. Getting to the start line was courageous enough this day. We rolled at a moderate pace all day, reconvening with dropped riders as often as possible. The roads deep into Suffolk continue to offer some of the quietest and most picturesque scenes on offer in the UK. It never fails to amaze me how beautiful the area can be, and how lucky we are to have the eastern counties as our playground.

With any luck today sees the start of spring proper. Mild weather and dry roads. It’s easy to forget as you toil through winter how great the spring can be to ride. Longer days and cool evenings. Just perfect.

A second and final coffee stop at the 197km marker in Thurston saw the back of the ride broken, with the end in sight. The push for home came just as one rider bowed out with roughly 30km to go in the Town of Hadleigh. With this abandonment the pace increased, and with our target fixed on the village of Wivenhoe we raced towards our finishing point. The day had been strung out a little longer due to the stop start nature of the ride. This meant a reduced group of three hit the Black Buoy pub in Wivenhoe for a well deserved beer. Another edition of RVA successfully in the bag. Well done all. A blinding effort and some solid early season miles in the legs.

Our attention now turns to Colchester – Swaffham – Colchester. A 280km ride taking many of the characteristics of RVA. Great roads, fantastic company all from the comfort of your saddle.

We genuinely believe that as a club we offer the finest rides over the longer distances, and bring something to the local scene that other clubs don’t necessarily offer. Our club was formed indulging this passion for long days out, but with increased attendance on some of our shorter rides our route selection is evolving. Mixing up the big distance with the well crafted morning/cafe ride. Something for all comers. So when you’re ready, drop by, say hello and join us for a ride. A good day is guaranteed.

The post Easter Weekend Part 2 – Ronde Van Anglia. appeared first on ColVelo Cycling Collective.

With a long weekend in early April, the Easter break provides the perfect opportunity to log a few days in the saddle.

This year, we here at ColVelo decided to base the weekend around the classic spring races of Northern France and Belgium. And a homage to one race in particular, our favourite monument, the Tour Of Flanders. Monday saw the running of Ronde Van Anglia. A long distance ride though some of the best countryside Cambridgeshire, Essex and Suffolk have to offer. More on that later.

Perhaps the story of this weekend was the vastly increased attendance for our Friday and  Saturday rides. Knowing Monday would bring a full day in the saddle and be attended by a select group, opening the weekend with a pair of shorter rides, with some forecast better weather proved the right decision. While the forecasted “better” weather wasn’t to materialise, and we were met with leaden skies, gusty winds and drizzle. However the mood was lifted by a great turn out and a group of 16 for Friday and similar on Saturday.

Maybe the prospect of hitting the road for just a few hours was more of an attractive proposition for this early stage in the season.  Whatever the reason, it was brilliant to see so many new faces and to fill the coffee shop with folks wanting to get involved with the riding that the ColVelo Collective is offering.

So a big thanks for coming to ride with us, and hopefully we’ll see all you again soon.   The routes were run on some familiar loops to regular ColVelo riders, and provided a nice opportunity to stretch the legs and open the taps on a few sections.

We’ve already warned Mr Evans that if we carry on at this rate we’ll be needing him to have extension built to cope with the ever increasing number of riders?! No other club in the area has such a great meet spot as we have in Velo! It’s not only our ride hub, but becoming our social hub too. Members of the Collective can often be found loafing around the café on days when we’re not racking up the miles. So if you’re still to visit Velo! Cycling & Coffee or want to find out about The ColVelo Collective from some of our members, head down to the café for a coffee and a chat. I’d suggest all of our members are ambassadors for the Collective and will be more than happy to tell you what being involved with ColVelo is all about.

And on to Ronde Van Anglia…

The post Easter Weekend Ride Report – Part 1. appeared first on ColVelo Cycling Collective.

This weekend saw the second running of the Worminford Dragon Audax. A 208km tour of the region. A successful event last year saw a considerable uptick in participation for 2015. With riders from ColVelo having ridden the first Dragon, we were keen to come back for more once we heard it would be running again.

We were lucky enough to combine our effort with a team of riders from Boxford Bike Club (BBC). BBC fills a place in the cycling community that works well in the opinion of us here at ColVelo. They are friendly folks, who run a club that is above all inclusive with a calendar of great riding on offer for its members. It was a pleasure riding with these guys, and we’ll hopefully have them along on some of our longer rides this year. Very nice to meet you guys.

In 2014, we were incredibly lucky with the weather. The day of the Dragon bought warm, dry and bright conditions with not a hint of wind. Perfect for an early season 200km ride. In the week leading up to the 2015 edition we were all glued to the weather radars watching the forecast conditions change back and forward from good to fair, to horrific, back to fair, swinging right back to horrific before settling down on fair. It remained this way for the majority of the ride. The only real bite being a grizzly head wind from the south-west. This was only a major factor for the anchor leg from Debenham to Wormingford. We dug in hard for a few hours, and this is always a little easier when you know home is the next break spot.

Many will ride further than the mapped 208km route ridden as the year rolls on, but I’m probably not alone in suggesting that at no other point in the season am I as apprehensive about a ride as the prospect of the first “big one” of the year.

Will the legs last? Can I hack the pace? – The Dragon is filling a space in our club diary as our very own season opener. A regional spring classic! Although dry, the heavy skies and buffeting winds gave this ride a Flandrian flavour. Progress was steady all day with the pace never becoming too much.  The Expansive vistas and big, dark sky of Suffolk provided a dramatic back drop for our ride this day.

Dark clouds were not the only thing to cause concern. A handful of mechanicals plagued our group with one rider shredding a tyre no more than 5km into the ride. His day done before it had even started.

With only one visit from the puncture fairy it was our spokes that were the thorn in our side, with me popping one just after Newmarket (75km). A carefully positioned cable tie allowed me to nurse the bike 40km to the next control at the Maglia Rossa Cafe come bike shop where they very kindly loaned me a wheel with which to complete the ride. Another rider wasn’t quite so lucky. 15km shy of Debenham (142km) a spoke on the rear wheel pinged, and sadly put pay to his day in the saddle. The phone call was made and the good wife was on her way to his rescue. Not before he managed a swift pint of Adnams to help drown his sorrows…..The pint looked very….very good!

As alluded to above, Debenham was the furthest point east on the ride, and the point at which we turned for home and faced the wind. Following a hot cup of tea and a few snacks being consumed we hit the road for the final 50km. Although tough at times the front was shared around as we went. With a few lumpy sections in the last 10km, I’m probably not alone in suggesting the stretch between Nayland and Wormingford provided the most testing winds as day turned to night.

Cresting Church Hill in Wormingford, one left turn, then another as we turned into the Village Hall Car park, it was done. 208km total distance and smiles all around.

It’s here we must extend our thanks to Viv Marsh, his wife Sarah and the rest of the support crew from Cycle Club Sudbury. A slick, well managed, well planned Audax. The feed at the end of the ride was something to behold. A magnificent soup, Sarnies and cakes of all description! Just what the doctor ordered.

We can’t recommend the Wormingford Dragon highly enough. This route shows off the best of what our region has to offer cyclists. We may lack the hills of the South Downs or the mountains of the Lake District but the open countryside and the endless sky of East Anglia is an inspiring place to ride.

If the Dragon is our season opener, then this coming Monday can be considered a feature event. The ColVelo Collectives very own Ronde Van Anglia. 243km taking in yet more of the regions stunning scenery and roads. Keep an eye on our social media outlets this week for more details.

Well done to all who rode the Dragon. A great effort.

Rob Harwood – The ColVelo Collective.

The post Ride Report – The Wormingford Dragon Audax (208km) – 28th March 2015. appeared first on ColVelo Cycling Collective.

As we reach the halfway point in the month of March, cyclist in our region have been lucky enough to have ridden two weekends on the trot in fantastic early spring weather. Dry roads, a little wind and bright days. As close to perfect as you would hope for at this time of year. With Longer rides on the cards for the back end of the month and one of our feature rides; ‘Ronde Van Anglia’ in early April, let’s hope we haven’t used up all our good fortune.

By design we offered up a pair of shorter rides to the collective this past weekend. 85km and 63km respectively. Mixing up the longer rides with some shorter outings will be the case all year. It’s not always 150km upwards! We love a 50km roll for coffee and a pint as much as anybody. Variety is indeed the spice of life!

Saturday saw a solid turnout once more, buoyed by recent good weather. Many were watching the forecast closely as the week rolled on. As is often the case at this time of year it was changing daily and at last glance we looked to be in for a soaking at some point on Saturday morning. Fortunately, the rain never materialised and we rolled on dry tarmac the entire day, licked by the wind in places we made steady progress with the larger than usual group stretching out and coming back together as we progressed thorough the route. Both Loops this weekend had their halfway markers in the vicinity of hadleigh which meant a stop at the much loved Crabtree’s café. With strong coffee on offer, this is always a favourite amongst the collective. One rider was lost to a fairly severe mechanical early into Saturday, but with Rich back at Velo! ready and waiting, our rider should have his stunning classic bike back on the road and rolling ready for next weekend. No lengthy work shop waiting list for riders with the Collective, Rich works hard to make sure our members don’t miss out on the rides we plan. We finished Saturday in bright sunshine with arm warmers and gloves being removed for the final push. Some nice quick sections, some more sedate. A great morning out for all that turned up.

Sunday was the shortest of the weekend’s outings, and very much a relaxed café spin. The pace never ramped, sedate yet steady progress as a group for the entirety of the ride. The shorter distance, (which was an abridged version of our Saturday ride with a few tweaks) saw us get a little creative with our route to Hadleigh, and we weaved and wound our way on some brilliant new roads that are just yards from our familiar rat runs. This was a lovely way to spend the morning and all riders were then afforded ample time to get back and do their mothers day thing!

A doff of the cap to one rider from Sunday who made the trip all the way from north London to ride with the collective. Having kept his eye out for a shorter rider, he arrived ready to roll for the 0830 depart. Now that’s commitment! This has us thinking, and we’re going to open up the membership bracket to ‘Country’ and ‘International’ members. Details to follow.

Keep your eyes open for rides coming this weekend. A 160km club ride on Saturday, and a quick CX blast on Sunday in the region of 50km. This will ensure you’re home with plenty of time to settle in for La Primavera… Milan – San Remo is the first ‘Monument’ classic of the season, and one favoured by the sprinters. At close to 300km for many this ride signals the start of the spring classics proper. Coverage on British Eurosport from  13:30. It’s all set to be a cracker.

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But for the weekend warriors and recreational cyclist around the world, I’d suggest winter miles bring spring smiles. I’ll explain…

The height of summer and the warmth it brings are a long way from those damp, cold, dark days of winter. But for those that toil from November to March, the reward when you wheel your bike out in March and April, and the sky is bright, it’s warm enough to lose the winter bibs, put on some sunnies and with nothing more than a gillet in your back pocket, clip into your pedals and roll out on a grit and grime free, dry road. Your smile will be ear to ear!

This is the reward for the challenges of winter. Every cyclist can enjoy the spring conditions, but it’s those who braved winter that will gain the most pleasure. You’ll be feeling ok, if not even a little strong as you ramp up the distance that the longer days and more favourable conditions bring. This is a joy and the pay-off for your hard work. The preparation and persistence to ride come-what-may will stand you in great stead for the spring and summer. But we all know it’s the first days of spring are where the smile is widest.

7th & 8th March 2015

Our Rides this weekend experienced some of this early spring magic. 160km on Saturday and 70km on Sunday. Saturdays long ride took in a repeated route from last month that is sure to become a favourite amongst the collective as the year rolls on. Quiet roads and some of the best scenery the region has to offer.  We’ve also finessed the coffee stops to the point of perfection. Keep your eye out for this loop when it rolls around once more. The weather was indeed fine and the roads were dry as a bone. But those March winds can be cruel. Having enjoyed them at our back for half the distance, the second half with the gusts on our nose was quite the challenge. With half of the riders in attendance peeling off at various points in order to make other commitments, it was a hardy few that braved the final 80km’s of headwinds. Lovely riding, but a tough ride all the same.

Sundays shorter ride of 70km saw a fantastic turn out, and we rolled en masse as 12 riders. A ColVelo Collective Micro Peloton! We were joined by a few new faces who we hope will be riding with us again soon. The weather, once more, glorious! And long may it continue. The wind was still strong but this couldn’t dent the resolve of the Collective. Fuelled by good coffee and cake in Hadleigh after 45km, the riders rattled through the final third of the ride at a good pace and in high spirits. This sort of ride and turn out is exactly what we hoped we’d start to see as the weather improved. ColVelo was born as winter took hold, and we greatly appreciate the support and following we’ve had since day one. Now it’s time to enjoy some spring weather and get ready for the great rides and trips we’ve got planned for 2015.

Well done all. Hope to see you this coming weekend for a pair of shorter, but no less sweet rides!

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