Moira

Four of us started from TB John , Julie , Mick and me . Nice to see Mick as he hasn’t been out for a while due to his sciatica. Mick did do some limbering up exercises holding on the lamppost before we set off . He looked a bit like a Ballerina 🤣🤣 not 🥰 Off we set not long into the ride Mick spotted a nice flag pole with the Union Jack 🇬🇧 and another flag he didn’t recognise which was the Worcestershire Flag luckily I knew what it was . Mick has decided to erect his own flag pole but apparently will be only flying one flag . We were joined by Steve , Leigh and Chris Poole who again was nice to see out and about. Off the famous seven went into the wind via the airfield to Springridge . Dave M had just arrived so we all ordered and sat in the big greenhouse to wait . I must say it was lovely and warm in there . The food and drinks came quite quickly but we were the only ones in there 🤣 Mick was telling us all about his problem at home after finishing his own decorating upstairs a neighbour managed to damage his wall leaving a big crack in it. The boys looked as though they were staying there for the long haul . Julie had to get home as her sons were coming over so Julie and I headed home on our own. I must say we made excellent time as we get to my house before Ken arrived to collect Julie. A few photos below .

Sorry late post had a busy day and forgot thought Mr Shelley might have done it . Thought we’d go to Springridge to see if there service has improved obviously doing a loop. Going out via Priest Bridge and past Philpott’s Tower . 10 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

It’s been hot here today 21 degrees 🤣 and tomorrow hopefully the same a swim , chill and yoga for me in the sun 🌞. Enjoy your chilly ride xx

Leigh you should have waited for us and rode in the group far easier than on your own . Glad you made it home Julie it must have been that extra cake that got you back . Maybe consider moving to Drotwich or Bromsgrove then you’ll have less miles home 🤣🤣

As you can see the Philpott’s were true to there word and waved as we went by this morning. It was nice to see Christine as we were beginning to think Alan had buried her in the extension . Out today Julie , John , Gordon , Tim , Barry and me but Tim and Gordon turned off just after seeing the Philpott’s. Gordon was on grandparent duties and Tim wasn’t feeling too good. Hope you feel better soon Tim. That left just the four of us to battle into the wind it was hard going but we rotated round and soon made it to Crome . The car park was rammed and we feared the worst but got served quickly. Leigh and Dave M were already there . Dave was swimming in his tea as he had the biggest ever seen tea pot said he was thirsty but it defeated him. A good chatter was had Leigh telling us he’s buying an electric bike . Leigh headed for home before us. We set off for home in sunshine and we were soon too hot . It was lovely to have the sun out. A lot of people out riding today . Julie had impressively cycled from home this morning but the wind got the better of her so she cycled to mine where Ken her knight in shinning armour was waiting for her with his chariot . A few pictures below .

The venue tomorrow is Crome Park going out via Philpott Towers , North Piddle Lane and Wyre Piddle . A day of Piddles 🤣 10 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

No pictures Julie !!! Julie was right we did trust her and very confidently she got us to the bus Lane in Redditch a nice different route home . She gave me exact instructions where to go when she turned right as Bev and Gordon didn’t fancy Weather Oak way . We followed Julie’s direction she didn’t mention the long slow uphill which took us to Redditch town centre no sign of the promised Sainsburys and directions from there . John and I managed to get back on track and up the little lane towards TB . 8 out 10 Julie for navigation you started well but fell at the last fence well we did 🤣🤣🤣

Barry I’m not going to sit outside either we’ll find a table inside x

Thought we’d head out to The View Wootten Wowen in the morning going out via Feckenham. 10 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

Well I must say for those that didn’t brave it out you missed a lovely ride in the sunshine not too cold either . Starting from TB Tim , Gordon , Bev , Julie and me the pressure was on to get to Clive’s before 11.30 am so we could get teacakes instead of cakes. Mr Shelley had told me he didn’t think we would do it so the gauntlet had been laid . We picked Leigh up en route then dropped him later 🤣 . It was 11.15 am as we crossed the main road towards Fladbury so Tim accepted the challenged went on the front and in Tour de France 🇫🇷 terms he put the hammer down and we all went full gas . The little hill info Cropthorne strung us out a bit but we managed to regroup on the driveway into the cafe. Abandoning the bikes by the front door and running in at 1124 am to see John and Ann who had come by Car and Dave Mitchell sitting at a table waiting to order . So jumping in we got our orders in before Breakfast orders stopped at 11.30 being kind we ordered for Leigh who had yet to arrive . It transpired his front brake was on making it more difficult for him hence being dropped. We got our beloved teacakes and I went for a nice black coffee instead for a change . Good chatter was had whilst we munched on our food . Off we set for home via Pershore putting Tim on the front again (so glad you came out Tim you’re our hero 🥰) I must say the coffee made me a bit hyper I can see why Gordon drinks it now 🤣. We had a bit of banter as we rode along the main road . A certain person who has a nice pair of leggings with a pink strip normally on his left leg had it on his right leg today and I noticed he’d started a new fashion by wearing his legging inside out 🤣🤣🤣 A lovely ride good company and a big thank you for Tim who did a lot on the front . A few pictures below .

Good morning thought we’d head out to Clive’s at Cropthorne . Going out via Priest Bridge and Fladbury as we need to be there before 11.30 am as they stop serving breakfast then . I’d much prefer a toasted teacake to a piece of cake 🍰 believe it or not . Wrap up first thing as it will be colder but it should warm up 🤞🏻. 10 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

Very witty Julie . I too was glad to get home but did cycle to TB n back unfortunately. Hilliers have some lovely new red and green tea pots but obviously didn’t buy enough as they kept coming round to see if we had finished with them . It would be nice too if Spring Ridge nursery invested in some too .

I’m feeling positive for the morning the mind is willing let’s just hope my legs are up to it too. I thought we’d go to Hillers not to far as most of us haven’t been out much. Going out via Priest Bridge . 10 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

Well unfortunately that heatwave didn’t happen and Mr Frost had a busy night so another Sunday off the bike . Is anyone going to BA in the car ??

Sorry for the late post but I have been busy demolishing our pond . The weather doesn’t look too good for the morning still very cold . I’m just in from walking the dog and it was really cold and foggy. But in the rare hope we get a Sunday heatwave we could go to Broadacres doing a loop round. If it’s too cold to ride we could still meet up there at 11.30 am for a late breakfast . 10 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴 but more realistically 11.30 am Broadacres in the car 🤣

Well what can I say the fabulous four starting from TB was ‘ The Shell Master ‘ , Gordon , Leigh and myself . A little bit of rain on the way to TB and quite windy . We’d only just turned right at Coalash Road when Gordon had a rear puncture. He had metal tyre levers , never seen them before !! Gordon found a small piece of metal in his tyre and with the use of John’s tweezers he managed to get it out. He needed Johns thumbs to get his tyre back on so it’s not only me who can’t manage that 🤣🤣🤣 The Redditch came past us as Gordon was just finishing up . I must say there was a right gaggle of then 10 I think. So off we set as we approached Pig Hill I insisted that we turned right to miss it didn’t want to go up that on my first ride in 5 weeks . Again John the little trouble maker wanted to do a bigger loop again but I again declined and they came with me . On arriving at the cafe Chris P and Roger were there having just sat down so just as well we didn’t do the bigger loop . Gordon very kindly bought the tea as it was his Birthday 🎉 yesterday a young 73 years. Then Chris Poole arrived and nearly sat in a high chair that would have been a sight 🤣🤣 Off we set for home the magnificent seven going back via Chaddsley and Drayton I soon fell of the pace on the hills a bit of a silly way back for me on my first ride but no pain no gain. We even had the sun 🌞 out at times a nice ride , good company but gosh do I need to get back to it and on the pace. Some photos attached.

After popular demand I am back 🤣🤣🤣 Firstly a Happy New Year to everyone . I haven’t cycled since the 6/12/22 due to cold weather, covid and a holiday but at last I plan to head out tomorrow so it will be a steady pace hopefully that it okay with everyone. I’ve spoken to the real boss ‘ The Shell Master ‘ the wind is from the west apparently so the plan is to head out to De-Beers Garden Centre , Hartlebury . Depending on how bad the wind is and my lungs/legs will depend on how big of a loop we do . We will be starting from TB 10 am. Steve going out via Coalash Lane but turning right at the bottom so if you’re out meet us there. 10 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

John if it’s not raining I’ll be out 🤞🏻

Well done for braving the cold I just knew you two would get out .

Well the sun has been out this morning but it is very cold out so let’s hope it’s warmer in the morning. I’m ever the optimist 😆 Thought we’d just stay local as it will probably be chilly 🥶 so I thought we could go to Hillers Garden Centre going out via Priest Bridge . 10 am at TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

Starting from TB were John , Gordon , Micky D and me . Mick said is neck was still hurting so wouldn’t make it all the way but it was nice to see you briefly . We were joined by the Philpott’s ,Leigh , Barry and Steve at Priest Bridge . Mick turned off shortly after that . We went out via Pinvin then over the ford where John normally falls into the hedge he managed to stay upright today . The water was pretty high there anymore rain and it will be over the footbridge. On arrival at Crome the car park was packed we saw Dave Mitchell’s bike outside . On going inside it wasn’t too busy we were soon eating and drinking tea 🫖 Alan again elected to sit outside and Chris being the dutiful wife joined him. As you will see from the photos this week Gordon managed to keep his eyes open . It was Gordon’s 51 st wedding anniversary and he wanted to get an extra special card for Marion which he found in the shop there . Hence the photo of Gordon with his precious card . We did all offer to sign the card too but funnily enough he declined 🤣🤣 Leigh set off for home first . Then the rest of us set off going up dog kennel hill . At the top rebellious Alan turned right despite John and Gordon going left. This unfortunately split the group with John , Dave , Gordon and me going left . Alan , Steve ,Barry and Chris went right !!! A few photos below.

I’ll be there in the morning and won’t be late John you’re so strict 🤣🤣🤣

A very disjointed ride today as you will hear. Starting from TB John , Gordon and me . As we were waiting for Leigh who didn’t turn up .We were joined by Dave Hughes and we’re having a good old chat when suddenly we realised it was well past 10 am . So off we set expecting to see Barry , Steve and the Philpott’s around the Priest Bridge area but no sign of them . After passing a closed up Philpott’s Towers we assumed they’d gone without us 🙁. As we turned left on the main road caught sight of them ahead thankfully the Saracen’s top is quite bright . Once on North Piddle Lane I impressed John with my sprinting as I went ahead to try and catch them up . Luckily I have a big mouth so I shouted out and Christine heard me and waited for us . Leigh was with them too as he was running late and cut the corner off. We turned right over the bridge at Pershore up the hill as we were nearing the top I was hyper ventilating more than usual and realised I had a rear puncture . My good good mate John changed it for me I was being or trying to be his glamorous assistant 🤣🤣 At this point Leigh decided to head for home. Puncture fixed thanks to Johns big thumbs off we set again to find Dave Mitchell just outside Clive’s but he said he wasn’t stopping but did come in for 10 minutes . We went inside found a big table ordered cake as they had stopped serving breakfast at 11.30 am . We didn’t realise that Alan and Chris were sitting outside hence the picture of the lonely happy couple outside on there own. Then Alan came in saying he was going we were still eating our cake apparently he wanted to get home for the snooker . Chris popped in to say goodbye and we kept her talking for a bit . Alan the little bugger set of without her naughty Alan no tea for him tonight Chris . That left 5 of us to cycle home . We had had sunshine on the way out but dark clouds on the way home but luckily stayed dry . The roads were very wet around Bromsgrove so we’d missed a good shower which is always a good result . So you can hopefully understand why I initially said a disjointed ride . A few pictures below . Gordon you need to keep your eyes open 🤣

Looks like it should be a reasonable day tomorrow so thought we’d head to Clive’s at Cropthorne. Going out via Priest Bridge then past Philpott Towers and out via Pinvin for a change . 10 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

So three brave Saracen’s Warriors set off from TB this morning Sunday yes John 6 th November don’t know why I keep putting the date wrong 🧐 John , Gordon and me . Julie was on the sick 🤒 having had both the flu and covid jab together yesterday . The rest suffering from potential rain fever . We were joined by Steve and Barry at the end of Bouts Lane making 5 . The sun even came out a few times which made it very pleasant . We did a medium loop round getting to Broad Acres as it just started to spit so excellent timing. The said spitting was enough to put of the fair weather Philpott’s 😜 It was a bit manic inside Broad Acres as Mandy was off leaving her daughter with 2 friends in charge . The water butt and kettle had both broken and they were struggling for water too . Boiling water in a pan on the stove. Fair play to them all the food came out and the drinks too so we’ll done to them . We were then joined by Richard Kent lovely to have a catch up with him . Richard being sensible left before us. We spent too long chatting in the cafe and no photos as too busy talking . Off we set it was dry but looking very dark and yes within a minute the rain came initially not too heavy but then did get worse but luckily slowed down to a drizzle again . So we went the quick way home didn’t get to wet . And now the sun is shining again typical.