TdT Leg 7 - Until 2018!

• 7 September 2017
• Distance: 46.8km
• Time: 1h50m
• Elevation: 258m
• Calories burned: 748
• Average speed: 25.4km/h

Our final leg was the ‘endurance ride’ and with the evenings starting to close in we set off at a slightly earlier time at 5.30. Another huge turn out of Tour de Tech riders turned up for the final salute to a summer of rides. Our meeting point was the White Hart in Fyfield, home to some of the finest pub food (try the pork belly) in Oxfordshire and we set off South on a mission towards the Ridgeway to see the ancient White Horse. We had to get out and back before dark. It would be our longest ride. After a summer of riding, our group formed a tight peloton and this helped our average speed to creep up to the highest of the 2017 tour – a mighty 25.4km/h!

As ever, conversations between the entrepreneurs, VCs and professionals flowed around tech, business, intellectual property, hiring tips, IPOs and more. But this was regularly interspersed with chat about how we could bike to see the entrepreneurs in Cambridge, perhaps an overseas ride like the guys in the property sector, or the benefits of Shimano over SRAM components. Lots of the riders had tales to share of biking overseas during their summer breaks. As the Summer season begins to change there was also chat about preparing for winter training in doors and all the new cool tech and apps that can make it just about tolerable!

Having had an entire series of uneventful rides (we don’t mention the brief leap into a ditch that one of our riders experienced), we had our first mechanical – a double whammy of broken chain and flat tyre. After lots of sympathy and support, we ditched him and continued (though Peter did go to the rescue later on). We finally rolled in back at the pub just as it was getting dark. We had earned our dinner. The beer slipped down a treat, the hearty food filled a gap, but left us just wanting enough to order sticky toffee pudding!

A huge thank you to all the riders who have taken part in the rides since May. With over 150 riders signed up, lots of hits on the website and lots of you joining the Strava group, we are thrilled with the enthusiasm and support you have shown. The Tour de Tech has been all about encouraging new connections in our community. As well as making new friends, we have discovered new routes and enjoyed some fine fayre. We’ll be back next May so do encourage others to sign up for the 2018 season.

Apparently there is another Tour (Tour de Britain) that came by two days later and included Brill Hill in their route. Well, we’d already been there and done that!

Happy winter training and see you in 2018!