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Makers attends Inaugural Triflex Sportive

Triflex Sportive Bike RoutesIn the heart of Staffordshire on the hottest day in June, Triflex held their inaugural cycling sportive.  Open to staff, colleagues and installers of Triflex products the event attracted over 30 riders who had the choice of two routes through the Staffordshire countryside; an eighty-mile extravaganza with 6500ft of climb taking in the sights of Staffordshire and the surrounding area of Stoke on Trent or the shorter 40-mile option heading out to Sandbach with both routes starting and finishing at Slaters Country Hotel and Inn near to Stone.

Makers Operations Director Darren Wootton, and Matthew Hewetson; Commercial Director, both keen cyclists sensibly elected to opt for the 40-mile route.

Adventure Cafe Route Expert RiderThe routes designed by Adventure Café Cycles also provided experienced cycle leaders for each of the groups as well as marked route ways, and support vehicles.  Digital maps were downloaded to the latest Garmin or phone and predetermined feed stations provided on route.

After a final morning briefing including basic bicycle checks and health and safety advice the cyclists took to the country roads equipped with new Triflex water bottles and toolkit.

Alan Galloway in CentreSam Berkley-HillThe first group headed out around 9:30 am lead by Alan Galloway of Triflex just before the temperatures began to soar up into the low 30oc, with an expected cycle time of up to 8 hours in the saddle this hardened group containing Sam Berkley-Hill of Triflex would be subject to a gruelling ride.

 

Team BriefingMuch lycra was on display for the 40-mile event with not surprisingly more participants given the weather, but this lycra was being put to the test with displays of elasticity stretched to the max!

“It’s been a while and nothing fits so it’s going to be interesting” Matt Hewetson.

Matt has in the past competed in a number of iron man events but with the pandemic, moving house and young family his exercise regime has taken a bit of a back seat, when asked how he saw today’s ride “I’ll be glad just to finish”.

L-R Darrent Wootton, Matt HewetsonDarren’s love of cycling hit when he was invited to participate in a charity event from Sheffield to Paris and after that he was hooked.  With the compulsory annual bike upgrade Darren has convinced other to join the sport but with his recent house move, there have been other distractions replacing his love for cycling.  Both Darren and Matt are highly competitive when it comes to cycling, however Matts greater fitness prevailed coming in first in the 40-mile group, and Darren a close second 20 minutes behind.

Tony Mills; Triflex Sales Director, was onboard to greet the returning participants and offer them a most welcomed well-earned beer!

“The Sportive was a great success and to be involved with the inaugural is really great, no doubt they will review how the day went and I am sure it will go from strength to strength perhaps we will get more participants from Makers in the future”.

Darren Wootton, Operations Director

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