Well today turned out to be a bit of a long morning / short club run kinda day. Dazed from the warm weather & early morning I arrived at the clubhosue 5 minutes after the allotted time of 6:45am to much abuse from the rest of the ensemble (sorry guys). Yes today was our turn to host the Norolond combine on the new Stoke Hammond bypass course.
I was very impressed with the help recieved & soon we had, the below motley crew :-
 
Swiss Tony:    Signs, pusher-off & general sauntering of a 'caddish' style (alhtough we were spared the smoking jacket).
Eileen Cray + Mr Cray:    Time keeper(s).
Mary Hartley:    Assistant Time keeper of distinction.
Gilbert & Dave (Wentworth):    Marshall & deputy of the turnaround roundabout.
Catherine & Yvonne:    Hill top roundabout marshal & fashion advisors to the lycra clad.
Bryan Scarborough:    Pusher off, best boy, key grip & customer service.
Chris Selley:    Roundabout Marshall & outdoor survival expert (well his backpack gave the impression of a long outdoor stint).
Kevin Stokes:    Roundabout Marshall, Stills photography & police liason (well he waved at them as they drove past).
Rina & Derek:    Nutritional resource & application (they did the tea & cakes).
Dick Selley:    Timings & customer liason (thats your time mate, no need arguing with the monkey etc etc speak with the organ grinder blah blah blah)
John Buchanan's Mate:    Photographer & bypass obstacle (details of picture web link to follow).
Myself:    Vehicle support / recovery & general getting in the way.
 
I think everyone had a good time & surprised themselves, especially Andy Lambeth, who's still walking round Tesco with his race number on his back. We had a few 'letters from Mum' asking to be excused because of a little sniffle etc, but on the whole everyone made it & gave it there all.
After mooching around at the finish the club run started at the later than advertised time of 10am from Red Bull Racing. The pace upon leaving, once we had made it through the housing estate, was very brisk with Catherine, Yvonne & Tony (Brunton) on the front. Following up the rear (as usual) was Dick Selley, Simon Cannings, Chris Selley, Jaybee, Darren (Haydon), Phil (Team MK), Chris Selley, Gordon (who disappeared before the turn) & myself. Whether it was the later departing time or the shortening of the club run, a blistering pace ensued all the way up to Stewkley hill & out towards Chedington Canal stop. It would later dawn on myself that we were heading in the direction of the oncoming storm , but for the time being this thought evaded me.
On the way toward Wingrave, we picked up a triathelete, who briefly joined us, however following a conversation with Dick Selley, we were soon to part company. The effort on the front took its toll on Tony, who drifted out the back, with thoughts of Sunday lunch, Jaybee & myself turned to pick him up & proceed home via Lieghton Buzzard, the others rode on, without a care for the oncoming storm.
As we approched Lieghton the heavens opened, but somehow we just managed to stay ahead of the main deluge (I wonder how the others got on, let me know guys, sitting the cafe in squidging lycra were we sir?). A quick jaunt down (thankfully) Bow Brickhill saw us finish in brilliant sunshine, with 32 miles in less than 2 hours.
Afterwards Jaybee gave me a quick tour of his place of employment, to see them knock together a few motor cars, how you can justify employing 60 people to make 6 cars a year, i'll never know & as for the cars I couldn't see anywhere for the bike carrier or somewhere to rest my trusty briar, pointless!
Don't forget a return to the much loved Stony course on Wednesday & see you all Sunday at the usual time for more of the same