JEFF BANKS RIDES THE WIGGLE MAGNIFICAT SPORTIVE 2011

On a wet and windy 12 June Jeff set off from Newbury Race Course to ride the 127 miles Wiggle Magnificat. Rain was forecast but nobody expected it to last the whole day.

Out of the start and straight into a short sharp 10% climb just to get the legs warmed up! This was followed 10 miles later by the triple climb of Warbury(20%) Linkenholt(10%) and Conholt(14%), was this such a good idea?

This was followed by a fast descent round Andover and onto Stockbridge in driving rain and gravel and mud getting washed onto the road. Punctures galore for many of the riders but luckily Jeff escaped on his trusty Condor fitted with his trademark white Continental tyres.

On over the South Downs with the serious test of Old Winchester Hill and Stoner Hill and into Four Marks Village. On through Farleigh Wallop and round Basingstoke up the long drag climb up to Hannington Village with the rain lashing it down by this time. White Hill, Ashford Hill and round Greenham Common with the only protest coming from the headwind. Finally back to Newbury, 127 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing and Jeff was sure he had shrunk with all the rain.