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In 2007, our former Club Captain, Ian Brown, having abandoned his most officious duties, took off in search for something ambitious to do in his recently-acquired semi-retirement. Ian's already made some remarkable cycling achievements - key member of the Club's Record-Breaking Land's End to John O'Groats Team Ride, raced all manner of time-trials to 12 hours, ridden Raid-Pyrennean, etc. With intentions of perhaps lessening his racing activities in lieu of more leisurely pursuits, he cast his eyes on cycle touring. Why not do the tour-end-all-tours and put the rest of his club-mates in the shade, again? Why not, indeed.
So, in June 2007, he flew out to California to join an organised group ride, with 20-odd other cyclists, mostly American, the majority females, and young at that - the perfect companions for our Ian, with back-up vehicles to carry the luggage and not a tent in sight - ideal, indeed.
Over the next 43 days, Ian covered 3,500 miles - averaging 85 miles per day. Read the full story of his exploit, in his own words, at his Ride Across America Blog....
It did do him some good: on his return to the UK, Ian achieved a 59min ride for a 25mTT on the A1, at the grand old age of ??? years. Thus, proof that the cummulative benefits of riding your bike every day do get you fit enough for time-trialling, without the need for very high effort intervals, etc. So, Ian has given us all the excuse - just get out and ride and enjoy...