The British Summer sun shone down as all around the country RNRMCA riders donned their Red, White and Navy Blue to ride out and represent the club at various events.

 Combined Services Sportive Showdown June 08 2008
At Highclere castle (Nr Newbury) 20 Plus riders attended the Combined Services Sportive Challenge. Sportives are designed to be individual challenges they often offer differing distances for riders to choose and are generally on courses with a fair share of hills to add to the challenge factor. Highclere lived up to all of the above with 3 distances to choose from (125, 75 or 44 miles) there was a distance to suit all levels of riders regardless of preferred riding background. Many club riders use the sportive as a training ground with the benefit of large groups of riders giving them extra impetus not normally encountered on small group training rides.

Last years combined service event had attracted over 80 service riders however the earlier billing of this years event may have had an effect on the numbers of riders available mid season to attend. None the less representatives from all 3 services took part and many posted impressive times. RNRMCA Rider Gerry Bromyard rode a strong race to finish 35 minutes under the Gold standard time set for his age category. This time was complemented by strong rides from both Andy Plewes and Nutty Edwards who both gained good times under the Silver standard set by the organiser.   The demanding course took it's toll not only on the riders but also on the equipment with several riders suffering mechanical failures whether punctures or more serious luckily the majority managed to continue and complete the course.

On the 75 mile route RNRMCA rider Darren Gardiner was the only service rider to achieve Gold Standard and achieve it he did with 14 minutes to spare a good result.

Days before the event it was re-iterated by the governing bodies in the UK that sportives are not to be competitive events i.e. it's not a race. They are designed to give everyday cyclists the opportunity to ride in mass participation events on planned and marked routes with food and water stops and marshals at points throughout the course. The overall aim is to encourage more cyclists to "have a go" and step up to the challenge whether for personal gain or charity effort the format is there and appears to be working with sportives available most weekends throughout the year many of which reach their capacity (usually around 1000 riders ).

RNRMCA rider makes top ten at National 25 event.
On what was reportedly a technical course RNRMCA rider Sean Childs posted a time of 54:05 to gain 8th place at he CTT National championships. with only 5 seconds separating him and the next 2 riders Sean's time was impressive to say the least. The National TT events really do attract the countries top riders with many athletes being either fully or semi professional. RNRMCA rider Andy Phipps also posted a creditable time of 1:01:25 Though fewer than last year the RNRMCA's presence at these events does not go unnoticed and serious club riders now expect to see the ensign on the back of at least 2 riders at every event. Long may this continue as our top riders continue to improve their personal best times bringing them into competition with the countries finest.