I signed up to do the Masters course and immediately got invited to the Masters WhatsApp chat and to join their Masters ride on Good Friday. A very nice offer but an also bit daunting to ride with a dozen riders of the absolute highest civilian standards. I was assured that it wouldn’t be scary and that I was not the only masters associate to join. They meet regularly for rides where they break up into smaller groups who observe each other to keep everyone sharp and on their toes (or wheels!).
So, at 9.15 on a sunny looking Good Friday, 13 riders meet at a café in Lenham, a few are associates, a few are qualified masters and two are mentors. It’s a welcoming bunch and it feels better already, it also helps that I know almost all of them from before. A cuppa and some chatting before groups are assigned, either 3 or 4 riders to each group and I set off with my group first accompanied by the Chief Observer and Ride Co-ordinator on a route planned by Iain (Chief Observer) and Kai (Masters Mentor).
Being pretty close to one of the Masters mentors myself (some of you will already know, my partner is Kai Herbert), I know most of the principle of riding like a master, it’s basically the same system as the advanced course only more of a deep dive and working on perfecting the ride. We ride out of Lenham and follow some lovely and fairly open roads towards Sissinghurst, Goudhurst and Lamberhurst. The pace is quick but legal, and it’s a pleasure to view two skilled riders who are really riding to their best ability. Iain and Kai’s route takes us on some great roads of varying width and difficulty level but all similar to a club ride. We continue on some roads I don’t recognise through Durgates, Stonegate and Burwash Common and we get along without incidents, though maybe one of the overtakes was a bit on the brave side, no names mentioned! In Horam we stop at Lakeside Café for a debrief and a cuppa. Soon the other groups start joining us as well and it very much feels like any other club ride, only with a bit more discussion about the ride. One rider joins us slightly later after a wrong turning and I’m happy that even the masters are like the rest of us!
For the second half we shuffle around within the group so now Steve is leading and I’m in the middle being observed by Iain. I’ve got the hang of it now though and can keep up with the pace. Some of the overtakes are just spot on and I can’t join Steve without being stupid so the group gets naturally split up every now and then. We ride back through Brightling, Robertsbridge and Beckley. Steve takes a turn off that is not on the route down Poppinghole Lane and after a moment of hesitation, I follow him, with Iain close by, best to stick together! Our little detour is down a nice and narrow hedgy lane with a fair bit of moss down the middle and it leads us back onto our original route, fair enough Steve! Seems like his Satnav did some thinking of its own and decided this was quicker.
I do my best at riding precisely to IAM standards with focusing on being progressive and since I am keeping pace with Steve pretty well, I feel pretty confident and am enjoying myself. We come back to Kent after our time in Sussex through Appledore, Brenzett and a quick finish across the Marsh which included Melon Lane, a notoriously gravely lane. It lives up to its reputation, the gravel in the middle and the sides of the road is very thick, it's hard to see exactly how thick because it’s the same colour as the road itself. It is possible to ride in one of the tyre-wide tracks but we all get a feel of the gravel when we need to switch sides to overtake some cyclists.
Soon we’re at Hamilton Airfield Tearooms for a cuppa and a debrief. I get a good report from Iain which makes me end on a high, it makes me feel more confident to start my training with Trevor.
The Masters are not such a scary group after all, they are all very welcoming and encouraging for prospective Masters to join their ride outs. They are sharp and precise in their riding and this format of observing each other to keep the standards high is very encouraging.
For anyone who has passed their Advanced Test or Members Assessment at a F1RST level and would still like to develop their riding further, I recommend signing up for a taster ride with a Masters Mentor, or asking one of the Masters to join one of their group rides while you decide if it’s for you! Remember that EKAM will pay half the fee back to the member upon test pass for 4 members each year so from the £345 fee you get £172.50 back from the club.
Lisa Alfsdotter