I was transferring some files across to my new Synology NAS drive over the weekend and came across a bunch of photos from when I first started cycling more seriously. Here’s one that brought back a whole load of memories…
There’s me in the front row, first on the left. This was the very early days of the newly reformed Woking CC, when it was no more than a handful of riders meeting up each weekend under the big tree at Woking Leisure Centre. Check out those original retro “Woking CC Bike Swanky” jerseys! These guys and gals fuelled my passion for road cycling and without them I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today or the cyclist I am today.
For those who know the Surrey Hills, the group photo was taken on the wall just up from the railway bridge on the Crocknorth Road climb! We were waiting for the 2013 Tour of Britain to roll through.
As part of our Saturday club ride, we cycled around to Surrey to catch the peloton fly by at a couple of different locations. It was my first introduction to seeing pro cycling for real and a total blast. Mark Cavendish took the stage win in a sprint finish, a feat he would repeat the following day in London, while Bradley Wiggins retained the overall lead. Such a good day!
Tempo Cyclist - Tasmania 
Haha that’s so cool. How long ago did you start cycling? I only know surrey hills from Zwift… probably not quite the same.
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I’ve always been into bikes, but got my first proper “road bike” and started riding more in 2012. Spent a lot of time in the Surrey Hills with Woking CC, the cafe at the top of the real Box Hill is far nicer than the Zwift one… 😉
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It’s important to remember your history. Sounds like you had fun being serious. I’m probably too serious in a different way, about goals. I started far too late to consider racing. I recall a bike race many years before I started biking seriously, too late in life to become a racer. It was a flash of noise and color all over too quickly. It’s cool to watch pros, but funner to just go ride.
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I’m never too serious… ;-)
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