Vättern 300kms, no 295kms, a bloody long way to cycle

Travelling down to Motala at 1am in the morning was different this year. My company on the way down was Norrköpingtriathlons chairman Christian. Customary stop at the Shell station, a large latte, banana and brownie and onward ho!
In Motala we found it rather chilly. The car was parked nice and central in town with it's arse facing the wind, so now hiding behind the hatchback for cover. I had an extra Ride of Hope jersey with me that I was to lend to another rider. I took it out of my bag to take with me to the start.
At the start by 2.50 I was approached by the rider and slapped my forehead for forgetting the jersey.
I offered to go get it but he was ok, it was too cold to ride short-sleeved anyway so it wouldn't be seen.
At 3:16am, 70 riders in Team Hope set out of Motala. All with different ambitions.
Some were aiming to come in under 8 hours, some 9, some 10 & 11 and then, there was the group I was taking around. Earlier in the year they spoke of Sub13, this had now been whittled down to Sub 12.30.
I made plans for around 12. Margins are good, as long as they're on your side.

We tied our blue/yellow ribbons to our helmets, and set off to the start. Meeting Silva briefly in the start we were also met by 17 Brits that met up with us last year. As usual, once the start signal went all thoughts of sticking together evaporated and all just rode out behind the motorbike master.

I managed to get all the riders I could find and started grouping us together. With other riders overtaking and being overtaken it's a continuous job keeping unwanted riders out of the group. Misunderstand me right. They aren't unwanted in as far as we want the roads to ourselves, we just don't need people we don't know or trust breaking up the line of riders. It makes the newbies uncertain, they drop off the wheel infront and suddenly it doesn't flow as smoothly as it should which demands more energy than you should have to use.

The ride down to Jönköping is good, the group stick together well but still some newbies get seperated and then you need to be on your guard. I keep an eye on the few riders that constantly keep getting seperated. Often it's a case of not being bold enough. Riders slide in in front and suddenly you're 3 rows back.
Sliding out of the group I make my way back and see to it that they have room to get out of the line of riders, get behind me and follow me up to our group and place them near the front.... (more to follow)