Blog by Tim Helstrip
Today’s ride was aimed at the PECAM members and Associates who are new to PECAM group riding.
We had an excellent turnout of 13 bikes, including 3 Associates. Associates are people who have joined the IAM Roadsmart Advanced Rider Course (ARC), but have yet to pass their ARC test.
We met as usual at Peterborough Services at Haddon, on the patio between the services building and the hotel, for a detailed briefing. This being a training session, Bob A as ride lead gave a very detailed briefing and discussion about group riding, and were able to debunk many myths. One such myth was that PECAM group rides are sometimes quite fast. We made it clear that riders in the group ride their own ride, and should not be induced into riding at a pace that they are not comfortable with. In any case, the riders should not exceed the posted speed limit.
Bob Armstrong led the ride out of the services to head south of the A1, then out through Folksworth and into the countryside. We then took it a wide variety of country roads with nice bends and plenty of junctions, for the group to practice marking the junctions in order to keep the whole group moving the same way.
We faced quite a few Sunday hazards with farm vehicles, horses, the ubiquitous MAMILS (Middle Aged Men in Lycra) on cycles etc. However, we made steady progress and after about 45 miles we ended up at Costa Coffee in Huntingdon.
After a coffee break, some members decided to make their own way home, whilst the rest of us had more of the same back to Peterborough and finished up at The Cuckoo in Alwalton.
Nice roads, reasonable pace, very good group ride discipline, good banter with nice people. A very good day!