26/2 Friday Night Ride- Double First

One of the great things about the Friday night ride is that there seems to be a different mix of people every week. This week, as well as regulars such as myself, Nigel T and Andy T we were joined by Ivan (first Friday night ride for about a year), Duncan H on his first ever night ride and newcomer to HSLCC Ricky Mccairn.

Duncan had purchased a new light boasting an impressive 1100 lumens for his first piece of night  riding and was looking forward to a new cycling experience.

Ricky's first ever ride with the club.

Ricky has been riding high on our strava club rankings for some time. His current monthly average is an impressive 150 miles per week (despite all the grotty weather). He had finally progressed from our virtual club to the one in the physical world having contacted us during the week.

Myself Ivan and Ricky decided to make use of the early decent of Battery hill , so we set off three minutes before the others. Ricky had never descended Battery before and without the sub concious knowledge of the position of the various irregularities on the road , he was delayed somewhat by hitting a pothole. Luckily he managed to hang on so bike and rider arrived at the bottom unscathed.

As per custom, the early descenders slowed down to let the others catch up at the reserve. We were now heading into an icy North Easterly wind. Everyone was content to shelter from the cold wind by staying behind myself and Ivan  until we made it to the harbour road.

 Duncan was really getting into the night ride vibe, commenting on the stillness.Unfortunately his cogitation was temporarily suspended by an attack of cramp ,which required repeated stretching to hold it at bay. Ivan, Nigel and myself waited with him while the others began the Broad Oak drag.

As we started the drag we could feel the assistance of the North easterly wind. Nigel went into 'captain caveman' mode and shot passed us all in pursuit of Andy who was somewhere far ahead. Ivan and Duncan soon dropped me as well  but about halfway up I caught up with Ricky. We now rode together as a pair and despite feeling quite fit at the moment I couldn't drop Ricky so it seems we are a good training match.

Successful Stonestile Ascents for Duncan and Ricky.

Ricky had never ridden up Stonetsile before , so must have been a bit alarmed at the way we described it to him in excited reverential tones.

He need not have worried as his first time ascent was only a few seconds slower than mine, although we were both well down on Duncan who put in a great performance beating us by well over a minute.

Both first timers enjoyed their first Friday night ride so we hope to see them out with us again

Steve C