HotChillee training ride four

Vitus Bikes are proud sponsors of HotChillee’s multi-stage cycling events, providing each of the 20 ride captains with top-of-the-range Sean Kelly Ltd edition carbon race bikes for each of this year’s events. 

Vitus Bikes are proud sponsors of HotChillee’s multi-stage cycling events, providing each of the 20 ride captains with top-of-the-range Sean Kelly Ltd edition carbon race bikes for each of this year’s events. 
HotChillee’s rides are some of the most stunning, professional and challenging rides on the global cycling calendar, and they include the eight training events in preparation for the Alpine Challenge, the Cape Rouleur and The London-Paris (L2P).
Each of the riders will be updating us throughout the year with their training ride diaries, the first of which comes from Ride Captain The Bull.
“Can't ride today? Drink coffee instead!

Wild and woolly was an understatement for the weather. The prediction was for torrential rain, gales and localised flooding. On the way to Carluccios I was able to confirm the weather man was exactly right. Roads completely flooded in some sections and the wind lashing the trees. ‘Dangerous and unenjoyable’ were the words ringing in my head. 100+km in this weather and road conditions on a day like that is just asking for trouble. Considering the conditions and the prediction of increasing winds and rain we decided it was best to cancel the official ride for safety reasons.
Despite the atrocious conditions, surprisingly we still had about 50 people congregate at Carluccios ready and determined to ride come what may. Some had been up and travelling since 04:30 to make it; that is dedication given the conditions. It was also good to see plenty of riders sporting the new Adobe London-Paris 2012 long sleeve training jersey too.
Official ride cancelled – onto plan B
A glance at the sky and the latest weather prediction we thought we could get a casual and unofficial hour or so of riding (to get wet and prove to ourselves it was quite unsavoury out there) and then back to the café for coffees, cake, eggs on toast and a big dose of conversation and Q&A. One group headed into Richmond Park seeking some controlled road conditions while the other group headed out for a quick loop out through Esher, Cobham, Oxshot, Hersham and back to Walton.
Back at Carluccios HotChillee were buying the coffees, the Ride Captains were all on hand to answer questions and discuss all matters L2P and Alpine Challenge.
As everyone knows I am a fair weather rider, I was mentally with the riders who did not show up (and were probably all having a nice lie in). I was VERY glad to have taken my car so no cold and wet ride home too. But once home and showered I was able to chalk this one up as a making me mentally tougher even though we only did about 40km, heading out the door to ride when it is raining tempers your mettle.
Keep safe and upright.”