There was an air of excitement for the Moreton Series to be back for the first time since 2019 and a number of familiar faces and local race team kits adorned the start line. Being the first event for a while, the self-selected handicap groups were probably a bit unmatched, but it made for a more exciting race. The green group – first ones off – were caught by the second (blue) group but the ‘scratch’ red group didn’t quite make the catch. The 12 or so riders in the red group that I was in soon split into a smaller group, and it was a 7 man chain-gang all the way to the sprint for the line. Jamie Witcher (Bournemouth Cycle Works) who rides (wins!) our Club Time Trials on a regular basis was also in the scratch group – He made a break after the first few laps and although I was the only rider to go with him, I lacked the confidence to stay with him for the remaining 35 mins so sat up and returned to the group. After a nervous moment of looking around, the last straight was full-gas sprint to the line and I was 3rd in the group I was with, but finished 22nd overall 1min 13 back from the winner – Jamie finished 26 seconds ahead in 18th place. I’m keen to see how the rest of the series plays out and would love some teammates in red and green on the line with me – give me a shout if you fancy it!

Pete drove us to Reading, we took the train to Swindon (24 minutes) then cycled to Barbury Castle to join the Ridgeway to cycle back to Reading (8 hours!). It turned out to be a beautiful day and a very pleasant route along the Ridgeway and Thames path. We took the Sustrans route by the Kennet & Avon canal through Reading and continued to near Riseley where we’d rejoined the route last year. The cycle path signs back to Reading were a bit uncertain but we got back to the car about 8pm. A grand day out and thankfully only a few covid after effects which will be temporary.