Gert Lush
06-03-19, 07:50 AM
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Gert Lush
I rode the Gert Lush a couple of weeks back, and thought I'd put up a quick post - I know @MiloFrance was interested because of the location, and thought a few others might be as well.
To start with I've no photos unfortunately. I started Strava, went to put my phone in my back pocket, and missed completely. Phone dropped straight onto a kerb with an expensive sounding crack. For those who'd like to see photos there's a good selection at https://www.grahamwattsphoto.com/
Anyhow, the ride was very well organized, good signage, and a really nice route. I've lived in this part of Somerset for 20 years now, and the route went over roads I've never ridden on.
The range of bikes was great; plenty of classic racing machines, quite a few tandems, and even a few modern bikes. I roder the ANC Halfords Peugeot that blended in nicely. There was no snobbishness at all from the organizers, or any of the entrants, it was a case of turn up on a bike and enjoy yourself. There was no holding on at the start either waiting for a lengthy safety briefing, just "Ride safely, come back in one piece, have fun, off you go".
That attitude was picked up by the riders; it was one of the nicest and most friendly crowds I've ridden in at any event, and I didn't see any of the aggressive riding that a minority of entrants in normal sportives produce.
Highlights on the route were the Gert Lunch break - it was tea and sandwiches in a bunting bedecked village hall with the helpers in 1940s costume and someone playing a piano - and a choir at the end of one of the off road sections. The stand out moment was the guy in tweeds and a bowler hat riding a sit up and beg delivery bike flying past on a descent, no doubt fuelled by the tins of Thatchers bouncing around in the basket.
All in all it was a grand day out; the sun shone and the organizers clearly put in a lot of effort that I'm sure was appreciated by the riders. Hopefully it'll be back for next year.
To start with I've no photos unfortunately. I started Strava, went to put my phone in my back pocket, and missed completely. Phone dropped straight onto a kerb with an expensive sounding crack. For those who'd like to see photos there's a good selection at https://www.grahamwattsphoto.com/
Anyhow, the ride was very well organized, good signage, and a really nice route. I've lived in this part of Somerset for 20 years now, and the route went over roads I've never ridden on.
The range of bikes was great; plenty of classic racing machines, quite a few tandems, and even a few modern bikes. I roder the ANC Halfords Peugeot that blended in nicely. There was no snobbishness at all from the organizers, or any of the entrants, it was a case of turn up on a bike and enjoy yourself. There was no holding on at the start either waiting for a lengthy safety briefing, just "Ride safely, come back in one piece, have fun, off you go".
That attitude was picked up by the riders; it was one of the nicest and most friendly crowds I've ridden in at any event, and I didn't see any of the aggressive riding that a minority of entrants in normal sportives produce.
Highlights on the route were the Gert Lunch break - it was tea and sandwiches in a bunting bedecked village hall with the helpers in 1940s costume and someone playing a piano - and a choir at the end of one of the off road sections. The stand out moment was the guy in tweeds and a bowler hat riding a sit up and beg delivery bike flying past on a descent, no doubt fuelled by the tins of Thatchers bouncing around in the basket.
All in all it was a grand day out; the sun shone and the organizers clearly put in a lot of effort that I'm sure was appreciated by the riders. Hopefully it'll be back for next year.
06-05-19, 10:01 AM
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Fantastic, thank you. I'll be trying to organise my work around it next year!
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