I woke up thankful for a slightly later start after riding yesterday, I was not really looking forward to riding this morning. A look out the window to see wet roads and clouds in the sky and I nearly sent the third Schleck brother out instead, but no I had to get back out there and HTFU!

I was greeted at Becks by a group that had grown from four to 15 - great stuff despite the weather. We were all wrapped up with rain jackets and longs and we set off along River road to the Coast to Vines trail.

The bunch all prepared for the start (except Mr Ellison jnr who thought the weather was positively barmey!) 

Regroup at the lights (first jacket removal)

We were soon at the bottom of today's target and all feeling a little warmer, several began removing jackets to head up Cox's Hill. Today saw a few people attempt the climb for the first time, Greg, Paul and Matt J to name a few, so glad you could enjoy one of my favourite hills looking out across the southern coast. It was also good to see many achieving PRs up the climb Cox Hill to Bains Rd climb, great work guys :-)

View of the bunch heading up the climb

The lovely sunny view

Paul doing all the hard work, Geoff drafting behind.

Greg, Tony and Matt J brining up the rear.

At the top the temperature dropped and the jackets were quickly put back on as the rain closed in..

Group gathered at the top of the climb with special guest appearance by Mr Brennan who joined us for approximately 100m of the climb to then whisk off for football...

A very tentative decent by me, but looking at strava some of you let loose and flew down there, sorry I literally don't have the balls for that! 

The pace picked up back along the veloway leaving me and a few others with not much left in the tank to attack the other segments to be had on the way back but again a few gaining PR's on The ESSES.

Upon joining River road I abandoned my post as TEC and tried to fly down there and get back for my much need hot chocolate. As although everyone else blew hot and cold the whole time I was still freezing! :-)

See the route here

Total distance: 45.77km

Metres climbed: 345m *

Average speed: 20.8 (a tad slower than the rest)

Pun***re Fairy visits: 0

Grin factor:  8/10 

The P ride runs every 2 weeks on a Sunday morning 8.15 for an 8.30 start and is organised by the SSRC group the next event will be held on Sunday 17th June route yet to be posted. The next SSRC event is the event is Saturday 9th June