Hilly 50k – Ride Report

This year’s Hilly 50k on Saturday proved to be quite a success.

We had set a goal of increasing women’s participation, and attracting a wider pool of our CTC riders.

Tim Morley set off with around 15 of his clubmates around 8.30, riding in memory of his father and our late club member, Mike Morley, who had been organiser of this challenging ride in support of St Raphael’s Hospice.

 

 

Tim Morley's team

 

Starting a little later we gathered a nice mix of A and B riders, including Christina, Stephanie and Diane, together with Mick, Patrick, Ged, Mark, Alan, Clive and Robert. Not forgetting Jason from the Phoenix, and Paul James as back marker. 

Wayfarers at the Start

It's a challenging day out by any reckoning, and I was well impressed by everyone’s determination and good humour throughout, and especially by the evident enthusiasm and confidence with which everyone tackled the last two climbs, Whitedown and Box Hill. 

Excellent weather, including even some dry roads. One rider described Logmore Lane as "beautiful" which it is, once you take your eyes off the road surface.

Winterfold Climbed, Logmore Next

Topping Sheepleas

Special thanks to all who helped keep the ride flowing by corner marking, to Paul James for diligent back marking, and the backup team of Maggie James and Terry Lowe for holding the fort for so long while the rest of us were out enjoying ourselves.

I hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as I did. It would be great to see more Wayfarers out for the 2024 edition. 

Relaxing at the Finish. Sorry, no photo of Maggie who, ever on duty, was in the queue for teas!

So far we have raised £720 for St Raphael's Hospice, not bad for a day's work, and the collection remains open.