Was it going to be wet or dry was on everyone’s minds before leaving home. Several must have thought it was going to be wet, staying home to watch Eastenders, but 11 who had the faith turned up for the rain or shine (well apart from Julie who left it to the last 5 minutes to decide if she was going to ride). 

 As it was, the weather gods were smiling favourably upon us for what turned out to be a good night at Old Gore, a good breeze pushed outward but was not too offensive on the return….much!

Hummingbird Legs Fallon, must have had his best ever ride to the turn, absolutely smashing it on the way back taking back the deficit he lost on the way out back with interest. Max finished with a fine second spot, just edging me out. If only Max and Matt had my slightly larger body proportions to carry around it could so easily have been so different.

Finally back to some semblance of fitness, not yet back to his pre-season fitness since the collar broke Tim once again was leading the next group. Nigel’s shift pattern has once again slowed him down a little, only just edging an invigorated James, another who’s coming back up to speed and probably looking forward to the hill climbs.

Richards partying has categorically caught up. When you see all those beach party photos of him cleaning the beaches the next day, you just know it was a good party. Tom “The Power” looked broken before he even started, having raced up late to sign on. An extra 10 minutes should be sufficient. 

Tony had his eye on Julie, almost catching her, was he just being polite in letting the lady go first…

Julie spent hours ooooering and arrarharrring about doing Old Gore, and that was before she’d even considered the rain factor. I can say she was pleased with her result, but would like the course to be resurfaced a little and the hill flattened out a little.

New face Carol put in a splendid ride, I have the feeling you go well up the hills. She also gave quote of the night when I said you should enjoy doing it; she said “I get a little competitive when I’m enjoying it.”

Thanks this week to Jon Airey timing, Adam Spector at the turn, with Adam Matchette pushing off.

Rider of the night this week is Matt, so close to that 24 minute OG.

Next event is the Long Hill climb, meet at the car park at Kerne Bridge (its actually Bishops Wood village hall).

We have 2 names down for timing/helpers – got to check the one as it’s in the turn column, and Hummingbird Legs has his eye on the record.

Aber & back is cancelled, there will be traffic lights on the course as well as the ones at Monmouth.

1	Matt Fallon	25:12
2	Max Suff	26:20
3	Paul Stephens	26:23
4	Tim Newland	28:31
5	Nigel Skyrme	28:48
6	James Wilson	28:59
7	Richard Harrington	29:44
8	Tom Knight	30:45
9	Tony Price	32:00
10	Julie Stephens	32:53
11	Carol Usher	33:13	C-o-B’s