A very cold and rain-threatened Sunday 21 February saw VC Revolutionbs first promotion of the year in the shape of their Reliability Trial.

This training event was divided up into disciplines of Gold, Silver and Bronze qualifying rides at 50 miles and a shorter ride of 28 miles. The Gold group was required to complete the designated 50 miles in 2 ½ hours (20mph average) the Silver group in 2 ¾ hours (18 mph average) and the Bronze group in 3 hours 20 minutes (15mph average). The 28 mile group had no time limit.

Given the recent successes of similar events held by rival clubs CC Sudbury and Amis Velo, organiser Brett Travers was keen to ensure that this event went off smoothly.

The weather during the previous week had been varied with icy conditions, rain and a couple of dry days too so as the event approached, it was in the lap of the gods as to how the day would fair.

On early inspection of the course and the subsequent discovery of ice on the stretch between Bures and Stoke-by-Nayland, doubt was cast upon the starting of this event on the grounds of safety. With an additional drive out to conjure up a revised course at short notice, Brett came up trumps with an alternative route via Colchester Station. The event was back on.

As the Gold group departed the HQ of West Bergholt Village Hall at 9.30am, the skies were darkening and with the low temperatures sure to bite through the toughest of thermal cycling kit, the riders were in for a hard day.

The larger populated Silver group departed 15 minutes later and the rain had already begun to fall with the Bronze group heading off in the worst conditions.

During the course of the following 2 hours with the weather at its most brutal, it was almost inevitable that mechanical failures would be on the menu and victims of the day with punctures included VCR's Alan Lawrence and Dick Wood with Interbikebs Jeff Wharton also succumbing to a flat back tyre, all of whom ventured home safely without returning to base.

Back at the village hall, the remnants of the Gold group arrived 2 hours and 25 minutes after departure which was a superb ride on the day. The looks on one or two faces told the sorry story of a hard morning's riding with many riders huddling around the radiators for warmth before enjoying their well-earned tea and cake.

All-in-all, this promotion was a success in spite of the early route revision issues and the weather. Well done to Brett and all who helped out.