Jess, really sorry to hear what happened on Saturday. The problem seemed to stem from some poor communication within the group. 1 of us stopped just before Malton (for a p** stop I think) but it wasn't widely circulated. As it was just at the bottom of a rise I thought I'd ride on to the top and the stop. I stopped at the top with Rich and took a comfort break. The rest of the group rode on. When I came back to the road I waited with Rich until Cam and the back markers went past and then chased. I wasn't aware you had stopped. Caught Cam, Andy and Damian but we were still chasing the main group. With a group up the road I thought everyone was there. Chased hard and caught everyone at Malton.
Cam and Rich got caught at the railway crossing in Malton but we weren't aware of this until it all regrouped out of Malton. Soft pedalled up the climb and waited at the top when Rich and Cam joined us.
The root cause was some of the group stopping and some riding on. Meant we never actually all set-off again together and with 3 groups on the road at this point it was dead easy to lose someone. Sharpy, to address your concerns I wasn't aware of anyone smashing it up the hills.
But it was poor form and I for 1 will be more careful in future!
For me 2 reminders:
1) We should run 2 groups where possible. 12 riders on Sat was borderline, and as one of the riders who said we should be fine with 1, I was partly responsible. However as well as being less manageable than a smaller group it didn't cater for a wider ability range.
2) If we are stopping lets do it as a group. If people want to keep moving ride up the road a little and then turn back round. Would have avoided the situation on Saturday where we had 3 groups all chasing to get back together.
So again, apologies Jess.
Hope to see you out again next week. And Melly don't be put off. I've had years of getting dropped on these rides
.
Anyway that's probably enough of a post-mortem. Phil's back next week so discipline will be restored.
See you all next week
John