Champes Elysees

32 degrees, blue skies, the undulations of the Ridgeway and 22 eager cyclists. That was the scene that greeted us at the Harrow Pub in East Ilsley. Founders, investors tech professional gathered, some regulars and some new friends.

For the past four months we have enjoyed bringing the tech community together from Oxford and beyond for monthly networking rides and some mid-week exercise. This year the peloton was larger than ever. 

Our ride leader, Will Axtell, a partner at Penningtons in Oxford had mapped out a cracking course with quiet open roads and a warning that there would be a few undulations! It tested us all but we all arrived together back at the pub for some well earned fayre.

This was the Champs-Elysees étape. The blue ribbon event. And the long downhill stretch provided the perfect conditions for an all out sprint for the most eager riders. Some fine performances! And the happy endorphines were flowing in all of us.

With the last ride of the season, there were prizes and kudos including recognition for those that have supported the Tour de Tech since 2017. Thank you all for making it what it is.

We will be back soon for some winter gatherings, not necessarily on the bike and already look forward to the 2024 season. So keep fit and keep turning the wheels of tech!