Our track section took centre stage last night with another trip to the QE2 park to "smash it up" at the velodrome.
Huggy, our organiser, managed to ensure that Oaky, the Hustler, OD, Bobb, GavinSSN, DL and me made it there along with various actual Witham Cycling members. DL, however, was really there with his workmates rather than his long forgotten MEMWNs club mates.
We were split into two groups again. With all of us having been last time, this meant that we were joined in the experienced group by Huggy and the Hustler. Of course, the Hustler was in his element talking himself down in between sessions and then hammering round when he got on the track. He made a slight tactical error in showing his hand during the team pursuit exercise in our second session. When he took to the front we soon ended up as two groups; the Hustler and the rest of us. The coach even had to tell him to slow down. Needless to say, when we did the last exercise which was based on two man sprints, the Hustler managed to win as chaser (easy, the chaser always wins) but also as the front man (eh ? how did that happen ? the chaser always wins). Mind you, that was nothing compared to GavinSSN who gave his chaser a half lap start before noticing the sprint had started
but still nearly caught him.
Another fantastic session completed, we "did one" and scarpered back to the Ale House in Chelmsford for some much needed energy drinks. In keeping with our strict training regime, OD, Oaky and GavinSSN sourced a large kebab each to eat in the pub. They almost looked good enough to eat after a couple of pints. I am afraid I let the side down by having a cheese and onion sandwich instead. I may thank myself for doing that when I am chasing Bobb up some forlorn mountain in Wales next week. A variety of ales were consumed including an interesting vanilla stout. No one was brave enough to try the interestingly monikered "Black Jesus" at 6.5%. Albert Ale by Earl Soham brewery took the Quaffers' Choice.
During the evening we became aware of a strange glow in the night sky. Of course it was only the luminous Jiber hoving into view being towed along by Captain Slow. The poor old Captain then had to endure a good hour of what we pass as banter and a long contentious debate about what should be on the ACME jerseys. She must be really looking forward to the next time MEMWNs swings by Chelmsford.
Thank you to Huggy for another great velodrome evening and hopefully we can find another session later in the year.