Strade Bianche: 7th March 2020

Who knew that this be our last special ride for some time? By the time you’re reading this, social distancing measures are in full swing and group riding feels like a distant memory.

In addition to our regular Saturday club rides, we attracted some 80 riders to this year’s rendition of Strade Bianche di Essex - a 100km unsupported ride that takes in the best off-road tracks that Essex has to offer - in tribute to the annual Tuscan cycling race which was called off only days before as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic: the national lockdown was imposed in Italy just two days later. 

Riders got suitably muddy, armed with a variety of bikes for the occasion: from wide-tyred road machines to all out mountain bikes and everything in between.

Our very own Mike Mooney completed the route in astonishing time (it’s not a race, may we add...) and even had time to pop home for a shower before welcoming subsequent finishers back at the shop with bagels and coffee!

It was a fabulous day out and it was great to see everyone out enjoying what was actually one of our last group rides for some time.

We hope to see you at our next open special ride soon when things have got a bit more back to normal.

Photos: Calvin Cheung - see the Hub Velo Facebook Page for a gallery of photos of the event.