Thanks to all who contributed to this very successful day, from those that rode to those that toiled, a club event that involved the good natured help and co-operation of its members, this is what club life is about
A bright, warm, sunny day for Hafren’s inaugural Reliability Ride, round 12 of the SCCA series. In this series each club in the association hosts a round, with events every Sunday from the end of January. With most of the clubs facing the North Shropshire Plain and the need to keep early season events off icy descents, the arrival of spring allowed Hafren to host the first hilly event of the series, showcasing beautiful Montgomeryshire
Although the Time Trial Season has also now started, and many riders from the SCCA member clubs were racing against the clock over the weekend, the event attracted 90 riders, traveling from as far away as Yorkshire and Coventry
Reliability Rides are like old school sportives, run by clubs without corporate involvement, the modest entry fee adding a small amount to club funds to invest in the sport and cheap enough to let anyone ride. With under 16s riding for free, our aim is to make this an inclusive event for members, local cyclists and the members for other local clubs
The two routes reflected this, the longer 96k route was an Ardennes style hilly ride, no mountains, but carefully chosen, quiet roads and good climbs taking in 1250 meters of climbing. The shorter 60k route took a ring round the same area, using some of the same roads, but keeping the climbing down to about 440 meters, we were able to show off beautiful Mid Wales, quiet roads, hidden valleys, hill top vistas and exceptional, friendly cyclists
HQ was Berriew Community Centre, an excellent venue for a cycling event, good parking, sign on and kitchen with a Tea Terrace that Emma Sergeant conjured up in the afternoon sunshine for returning riders. With Ian, Marcus, Aneurin, Sharon, Lea,Thomas and John providing homemade cakes that probably belong on a TV bakery competition, and endless Tea and Coffee from a great team of volunteers the after ride social was exceptional.
The club has received a large number of positive comments, not just from club members. With less experienced riders saying how well looked after they were during the event it is a testament to the club that all the members who supported this event involved themselves not just in a good day on the bike for them, but for everyone they were riding with
Some Facebook comments
- Lovely cakes as usual. Thanks to all the bakers.
- Great to be part of such a well organised and friendly event, felt really looked-after during the ride too – thank you! Gorgeous cakes !! Thank you!
- Fabulous ride and great cake, thank you to all
- Thank-you Hafren for a fantastic day out on the bike, cracking route on some roads I’ve not been on before. Thanks for ordering the weather too. Diolch
- Great route, great company, great ride, great cake. Great way to spend a Sunday. Cheers everyone that organised the ride today!!
- Congratulations on a superb well organised event, well chosen quiet roads and good climbs . A great route and thoroughly enjoyable day
The thanks of the club and all who rode to everyone that helped make this a success: pre-ride promotion, catering, sign on, start marshalls, safety briefing, leading groups and helping other riders on the road.
As the SCCA series looks set to continue in 2018 we will be hosting a round again next year, book the day to ride with the club and its many friends