I was out with the club a couple of winters ago. It was early winter and I remember I was on my summer lightweight carbon bike. I noted a rider who I did not know wave from the opposite direction and then turn into our chain gang. He was on a cheapish halrfords MTB with 2 panniers and it had hub gears. I then noted he was having no problems keeping up and on one of the hills he came alongside and starting chatting away. By this point, I was near dying, trying to keep with the chain and to think of talking was impossible. Eventually, I got some words out and it transpired he was a pro cyclist; Alex Coutts on his winter sabbatical. He was just cycling into town for some shopping and came across the chain gang. His fitness and speed was significantly higher than any of us. Nice bloke as well - very happy just to chat about the life as a developing pro.
