2nd April 2011

Ronnie's racecourse rampage

Present and correct - Robbo, Vino, Patron, Rocket, Chrissy, Ronnie, Lantern

With absolutely no hiding place whatsoever, the Lantern was punished by the outbound pace but held his own well on the fast flat section between Llanymynech and Maesbury. After a rare but momentary silence at the cafe, the patron announced that he'd thought of another way back...

An inauspicious left turn on Trefonnen/Treflach road led to a deceptively long grind to the top of the racecourse hill. Robbo foolishly waited to check that the Lantern had caught up with le patron, who in turn had nobly waited to guide the Lantern on the route home. Robbo could do nothing but watch helplessly as Chris, Ron, Rocket and Vino maintained a gap of some 300 yards all the way up the climb.

The leading pack, sensing that this was their opportunity to repay Robbo for the past few weeks, set off well ahead of him at a blistering pace down the racecourse hill, touching 50mph. Robbo set off in pursuit like the Duracell bunny on speed, and managed to wind in the breakaway companions at the foot of the descent. The grupetto then rode sensibly together for the best part of 30 seconds before Ronnie predictably put in another massive attack at the first sign of uphill tarmac. Chris was shelled (or decided to drop off) at this point whilst Vino and Robbo clung to Ronnie's wheel. Ronnie's strength eventually waned and Robbo and Vino coasted past on their way to the final push to Hengoed and Chirk. Ronnie rejoined, and sensing his opportunity once again, launched yet another ill-fated attack as the road kicked uphill by the Last Inn, before collapsing spectacularly, completely spent. All that remained was for the fractured groups to wind their own ways home, safe in the knowledge they'd earned their Guinness and Leffe.

Chapeau to the Lantern for, what must have been, a very painful climb up the racecourse, and Chapeau to Ronnie who certainly took most aggressive rider title on the day.