Page 76 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

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High level ‘mechanical doping’ on Col du Mollard
confront this in reality. A faulty Garmin proved such a banana skin. The Royal Lancer road captain, succumbing to the harsh realities forged in the virtual reality of strava – no upload, no kudos – was left roadside awaiting the Lanterne Rouge. None- theless, a highly impressive solo effort saw Capt Jibb rejoin the back of the peloton, Garmin fixed, and then claim the ‘KOM’ on St Jean de Maurienne’s most coved segement: ‘monté de kebab’.
In September, the UCI Road Race World Championships arrived in Yorkshire. Yet the county did not limit its entry into the 2019 annals of world history through cycling alone. It took upon itself to contribute to the vogue dialogue of climate change through the rise of inclement weather. A seasoned and gnarled breakaway of Royal Lancer Rouleurs – Capt Kellard, Lt Colquhoun, WO2
The Start Line at Alp D’Huez
Nyambira and Cpl Toyne – didst battle on Yorkshire’s moors through the storms and roads that periled the competition. All finished triumphant and (relatively) unscathed over 98km and 1337m ascent. This goes further when 149 of the professionals failed to finish in the elite road race. One crowd favourite, how- ever, did not make it through the storms. Grinton Moore bridge perished. A stalwart in Yorkshire cycling had gone: the descent to ‘El Classico’ and our Wednesday sortie staple. A sad but fitting end to the 2019 Royal Lancer calendar. However, the year had been one of plenty. A bountiful harvest reaped much in the ear- lier months. 2020 should bring new routes, new bridges, new de- scents. The Rouleurs shall emerge revitalised in the new decade.
TRF
REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
Tpr Edwards-Johnson puts pedal to the metal on Col de la Croix de Fer
Trooper Simcox begins to think he may have made wrong turn at Lac Annecy