Three Counties Clover Leaf Randonnee 2007
Report by Phil Stayte and Jess Hemming
Some of the riders with Evesham Wheelers' youngest rider (foreground) - Tom Purser (age 5) who took part in the 50k event with his dad, Dave.
Sunday 12th August saw Evesham Wheelers stage their annual 3 Counties Audax Event, based at Wickhamford Memorial Hall. The event, which was superbly organised by John James, comprised of ride distances of 50k 100k and 200k. This year over 90 cyclists took part, with one of the competitors coming from Colombia in South America to participate.
An Audax combines the skills of distance cycling with the ability to follow precise directions to a specific location, and is a test of skill and reliability and not just speed. The fact that quite a few of us temporarily lost our way, was on no account down to poor navigational skills, but the fault of obscuring foliage and road signs that had somehow vanished!! Honestly! Or maybe we were just distracted by the scenery, since the route took in some of the most picturesque locations around the North Cotswolds and the Vale of Evesham. There were fast flat sections in the Vale and some testing climbs into the Cotswolds.
Best of all, after each leg, or clover leaf, riders returned to the village hall to carb load on a wonderful spread of cakes, buns, rolls and all manner of edible delights that had been provided by a team of much appreciated volunteers.
It was a good event and one to look forward to again next year.
John James and Louise Cox