With the offer of a second (imperial) century ride of the month from El Presidente, who couldn’t resist the temptation of an 0700 10°C start, against the promise of clear skies, a light breeze, and later temperatures in the mid-20s? Clearly, the majority of SICC members could resist, and so just six of us made it to the 0800 Binche start line for the annual Cyclo La Binchoise. With route options of 80, 100 or 120 km, we separated into two groups around the 30 km mark, the first following the 80 km route, the second on the 120 km route. Both courses, heading south from Binche, followed some well ridden Hinault roads, with potholes aplenty to keep us awake. Once south of the Sambre at Lobbes, the roads miraculously become much smoother, and the scenery opened up into a beautiful rolling landscape.

Taking in the Cerfontaine lakes and touching the outskirts of Chimay, the 120 groupetto settled in to a most productive paceline. With a return leg skirting through the forested borderlands before crossing back into the Hainault road system at Merbes-le-Chateau, which one day I must actually stop in as it looks quite charming. Anyway, considering the language barrier of having un Belgique, a Brit, and un Italiano in the group, we posted a half decent speed over the course of the day (29.4 kph for my 172.6 kms ridden) – I’m sure largely due to our misinterpretation of fives; Fred was doing 5 km pulls, I was on 5 minute pulls, and Pino was pulling until he could no longer favella! Back in Binche for a swift half refreshment, recognising the shiny new SICC team jersey colours the Bürgermeister caught up with us to thank us for taking part, before we were back on the bikes for the last 20 kms back to SHAPE – I shouldn’t really mention it, but as we crossed Rue Grande, one of the team remembered that he’d driven to Binche that morning…