Colchester Rovers Sportive - Sun 1st March 09

Colchester Rovers 50 Mile Sportive - Sunday 1st March 2009

by Ashley Glass 

As the Colchester Rovers was the first cycling club I joined back when I was a junior, I do enjoy riding the occasional event back in Essex. It brings back fond memories of competition over familiar roads so many years ago, and like all cycling clubs I am sure, a number of faces never change.

Conveniently the start of their Sportive was only six miles from my Father’s house, so was able to combine a family visit with the event. I had been told of the Colchester Rovers Sportive by an old school friend and my biggest rival from my junior racing days, and would be riding it with him. Just like the old days.

The route was 50 miles, starting at Little Bromley, heading down to the coast through Dedham (hilly), out through Manningtree & Mistley, Ramsey (a few more hills) and then out to the coast to Walton on Naze and back through Frinton, Kirby Cross, Thorpe le Soken (flat & fast), Tendring and back to Little Bromley.

There were times to select according to the standard aimed for. A Gold Standard ride dictated the course be ridden in 2hrs 15mins, but I, like my old friend and the majority of reasonably fit riders selected to aim for the Silver Standard which meant completing the course in 2hrs 45mins. I thought this a reasonable challenge for the 1st March, having not raced since last year.

As there were so many riders aiming for the silver standard, the organisers split us into two groups. Thirty of these riders set off 5mins after the gold standard riders had gone. I followed in the second group of 16 silver standard riders after a further 5min gap had been instigated. Once out of the HQ, it quickly emerged that I had fallen into a group of fit, well organised riders. Through & off was instigated immediately with the general consensus that it would be really great to catch the group ahead of us. Speed was up, and so was the heart rate. The hills encountered had me panting like a dog, but I hung on and managed to do my share of the work in this well organised, fluid peloton. Amazingly, after just 20 miles, we caught sight of the other group in the distance across the fields of Essex. Pace upped yet again as excitement ripped through the group. Within another 4 miles, we made contact. I hoped now that the pace may settle to something a little more comfortable, as we still had 26 miles to go. Silly me, past we flew, with their fittest riders chasing hard, and a total of 46 riders strung out down the road. This sportive resembled a full blown road race by now, with through & off still in operation, but with about 20 of us sharing the work and the rest of the riders sensibly drafting behind.
 
It must have made quite a colourful site as we roared through quiet villages on a Sunday morning, but it was soon to be over. The finish line back at Little Bromley was crossed in just 2hrs 14mins. A Gold Standard ride after all.

Look out for this event next year and let North Road members know, it really was a very well organised and well attended event.