Around
about the middle of March I usually start getting quite excited. There are a
few reasons for this. Firstly, the shift to British Summer Time is imminent
which means that I can start and finish my rides in daylight. Usually the move
to BST also means that the weather is improving – less rain and wind and more
sun. I say ‘usually’ because I have learnt from past experience that it is preferable
to adopt a cautious mind-set – better to be pleasantly surprised than disappointed.
But the time to don bib shorts and a light jersey has arrived.
The
biggest excitement however is because the end of March means that our first
family party has arrived. For the last three years I have travelled down to Basildon
in Essex to ride with my Bianchi cousins on the first BOCUK iRide of the year.
Today’s ride was arranged by Steve Richardson with help from Rick Gill and
Steve Rose. The ride goes from strength to strength and this was its fifth year
with a record turnout of 31 riders.
 |
| Getting ready to go ... |
While we
were waiting to start and posing (mostly for the photos) I had a look at the range of
Bianchi’s on show. The trusty and reliable Via Nirone seemed to be the most popular
model, closely followed by several Infinitos and Oltres (all variants). Celeste
frames dominated – no surprises there. There was lots of happy chatter as
people caught up with each other. Although we all regularly chat virtually through
social media, the iRides are a chance to catch up at a much more personal and personable
level. There were a few folk who were attending their first iRide and they all
seemed to be enjoying themselves.
 |
| Party animals! |
With such
a large attendance we set off in a couple of separate groups and the short sharp
ascent of One Tree Hill, which has loads of trees, soon after the start helped
to space us out a bit more. Our route today (click here to view a flyby) took
us north to Hanningfield Reservoir before turning east to the café stop at a
garden centre near Ashingdon. We stopped here a couple of years ago when I got
into a spot of bother with the proprietor who took exception to my Infinito
leaning against some of his garden furniture. He didn’t really appreciate my
comment that any marks would add value by creating a ready weathered look! I
also decided that a comment about my Infinito being worth more than his bench
would fall on deaf ears and not help matters.
A cappuccino
and a slice of coffee and walnut cake (the cyclist’s staple?) were just the ticket
in the refreshment stakes while catching up with a few riders that had been in
a different group. While I was waiting to order the coffee I heard a voice behind
me saying “hello Mark”. When I turned around I eventually spotted Bev and Chris
Bish. I say eventually, because without my glasses it took me a few moments to focus
on them. I first met Bev and Chris a couple of years ago at another iRide – in Kent
(read my book for more). Although they weren’t riding today they had travelled
down to join us and say hello. When I say travelled down I don’t mean from just
a few miles away. They hail from the ‘north’ so it is a measure of the strength
of the BOCUK family bond that cousins will go to exceptional lengths to get to the
parties. I should add, before Bev and Chris pick me up on the point, that for
some people (not me) anywhere north of the River Thames is a distant land known
as ‘the north’. And in the interests of accurate reporting, Chris and Bev live in the Midlands which are halfway to the north! It was really great to see them again, albeit briefly.
All too
soon we set off on the return leg for what for many would be a highlight of the event.
Patience readers, I will explain presently. As we rode along I started chatting
to Rick and Jo about sat navs. Rick has just acquired a Garmin Edge 1030 and is
really pleased with it. Jo has recently got a Wahoo unit (great name that) and
is still getting to grips with it. I am using a Garmin Edge 1000 which today
was misbehaving. Although the map and route had loaded it was not giving out
any turn by turn alerts and it was telling me that the distance to my
destination was 3,263 miles. But apart from that it was working fine.
At one
point Jo and I were so engrossed in our conversation that I stopped looking at
the route on my Garmin. When I eventually realised that we were “off course” I zoomed
the map out and could see immediately that getting back onto the route would be
pretty street straightforward with no need to backtrack. With a confident shout
to the group of “follow me, I know where to go”, we set off. Reaching a busy dual
carriageway, I realised that my optimism and confidence might be misplaced. The
challenge was that the central reservation was marked by a substantial concrete
barrier. After about half a mile of riding along the pavement against the
oncoming traffic we were able to cross over onto the other side. Fortunately we
eventually arrived at a roundabout and re-joined the proper route. I guess in
future I should talk less and concentrate a bit more. Or better still pay closer attention to those cousins who actually know the area!
In a
complete contrast to the previous few miles we then rode along the
Southend-on-Sea seafront past the pier which stretches out into the Thames estuary for 1.3
miles – it’s the longest pier in the world. The last leg of the route took us
back inland with another short sharp climb and eventually a nice fast descent
which bought us to the end of the route at South Benfleet.
For many, reaching
the end of the route was akin to arriving in the promised land. For here in
South Benfleet is what every Bianchi rider cherishes – a bike shop. But not
just any bike shop. JD Cycles is a Bianchi dealership of some renown in these
parts. Owned by Jason White, who was a highly successful rider winning several
national titles, JD Cycles is every Bianchistas dream. Walking through the door is like literally
walking on to the pages of a Bianchi catalogue. Ending the ride here, which we
have done for several years, means that it has become a bit like a pilgrimage.
Everywhere you look, your eyes are met with the shine of celeste. Even the matt
finished frames have a sheen.
 |
| With Jason White and that book! |
Jason very
kindly let me sell a few copies of Passione Celeste and has even taken a few in
case any of his other customers would like a copy. As we all gathered together
again there was no shortage of happy chatter and laughter. I had a blast and
really enjoyed getting together with my cousins again. To Steve, Rick, Steve
and Jason I say thanks – big thanks. You organised another wonderful family
party – a Bianchi party!
Fino alla
prossima volta – passione celeste miei cugni! (Hopefully Google Translate has
done its stuff here?)
