Moira

A nice surprise to see Gordon and Micky D at TB along with John , Leigh , Bev and myself . I think the promise of a short ride brought out all those recovering from an injury . It was more like a cold 🥶 winter day Bev and I unfortunately were dressed for sunshine which was sadly missing this morning. To add insult to the cold we got rained on too luckily it was only a short ride to the cafe. As Gordon turned off for a shorter ride Barry joined us . Johns’s computer said it was 7 degrees no wounder we were cold and wet. On arrival at the cafe we saw Dave Mitchell sitting outside under cover . There was no way I was sitting outside as I was freezing . Luckily we found a couple of tables inside next to each other and a Bruce’s Bonus one was right by a little ceiling fan heater which was on . Bev and I defrosted under the heater . Tea and tea cakes were ordered with some confusion over Bev’s tea cake which didn’t arrive. Lovely tea cakes though . Leigh ate and ran . Dave went home the way we came the rest of us headed out along the Ridgeway for a change into Feckenham . I must admit it did warm up to a barmy 10 degrees I even pulled my arm warmers down. John says his back felt fine so let’s hope that lasts . Micky was demonstrating a back exercise to him at TB on the road sign John was worried he couldn’t get his leg that high !!! ( unfortunately no photo of that )

Barry we’re going out Priest Bridge way not Feckenham x

The venue tomorrow will be Hiller’s cafe a shorter ride as John will be joining us and wants to test out his bad back . Intending to go straight there via Inkberrow and Redford so for those driving there we will be earlier than normal. 9.30 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

An excellent turn out this morning must have been the promise of the pop up cafe at Philpott Towers . Starting from TB Julie , Leigh , Tim , Kevin Young and me . We met Barry and Steve at the traffic lights on the Ridgeway they both bottled out of going up Astwood Bank they had some complications with road closures having to get off there bikes so they have should have come our way up the hill 🤪 I had a momentary navigation fail in Sambourne as we were going the opposite way to normal and it confused me I’m only a simple sole 🤔 luckily Kevin was there to shout up the right way. A good ride towards Purity Brewery makes a nice change not to be last up the hill . I’d forgotten how nice that road was. We turned right at the pub into Alcester . Leigh left us and went up the hill at Arrow not sure if he realised exactly where he was heading . We continued into Bidford and then a little loop to Grafton Flyford . Julie and I both thought that the boys ( Steve , Barry , Kevin and even Tim ) all had testosterone for breakfast as there was a lot of change at the front continually they even abandoned us at one point to race up to the Philpott’s house I don’t know who won 🥇 On arrival at Philpott Towers Ivor ,Pete and Dave M were on the top table already tucking into tea and toast. Kevin and Tim had a quick pit stop and then raced off home together 😝 The comment of the morning was from Barry who wanted I quote “ I want a quickie “ he then disappeared into the kitchen with Christine and came out smiling 2 minutes later . Alan didn’t seem to mind he was on music . Alan was also trying to catch wasp with a child’s fishing net apparently so far this year it’s Alan 0 and the wasps 150 . I had a lovely tea cake with marmalade the table was all set and ready I was on table 2 . The service from Christine was excellent ( as Barry will confirm 😛🥰) She even had time between service to give Ivor a guided tour around her lovely flowering garden. Chris P and Roger then arrived and we all sat having a lovely chat . Alas time to go . Julie and I made a sharp exit as we saw Ivor and Pete on there electric bikes and Chris and Roger the fast boys were all going our way and we’d already had the testosterone 4 on the way there . We must have gone really well as they didn’t catch us maybe Christine slipped some of Testosterone stuff into our coffee . If she did it’s good stuff we’ll have some again 🤩 please . A very big thank you to Alan and Christine especially as she did all the work !!!! for hosting and making us very welcome and spoilt us I think it could become a regular cafe stop. A few photos below I especially like top table with the black and decker work bench .

Yes Rovi see you there . Oh dear Mick get well soon x

Sunday’s venue is a new pop up cafe which apparently is excellent. It’s called Philpott Towers, Grafton Flyford aiming to be there 11.30 - 11.45 am . For a change we haven’t done it very a while John you will be surprised I’m going this way but what the hell I now love uphills 🤪 sorry Julie. Planning on going up Astwood Lane to the traffic lights onto the Ridgeway then through Spernal ( up Purity hill ) to The Mother Huff Cap into Alcester.. Barry / Steve see you at the junction of Crofts Lane at Astwood Lane ( bottom of that little hill ). Chris , Roger and Tess it would be nice to see you too the Chef will be there this time with her able bodied assistant ( me ) Leaving TB 9.30 an 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

Mick 3 puncture’s that’s good going all on the same wheel ?? At least you bumped into Lee opps sorry Leigh so you had some company . It will be nice to see you next week . Chris that cafe looks nice as do the cakes 😋 Good write up as usual Julie hopefully more will be out next Sunday 🤞🏻

Mick stay positive we might be okay for the morning after a glorious day today 🤞🏻

Sundays venue will be Springridge Nursery Crowle as they now have big tea pots . We’ll be going out via Priest Bridge past Philpott Towers then Bishampton . Aiming to be there 11.30 - 11.45 am depending wether we go the longer way or not down to Julie who’s had a week away boozing and eating . If she went to the gym every day it’ll be the long way if not the shorter way 😜😝 9.30 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

Yes Julie the true Boss has always been in charge but behind the scenes more now . John has a busy Sunday morning he is a Marshall on a fun run around Bromsgrove but he says it’s not that much fun standing in his fluorescent jacket trying to work out if the last runner has gone past his location. So good luck for the morning John. We had the super six ( six being a point of contention later !! ) out today starting from TB John , Bev and me . We picked up Steve not Tony and the Philpott’s on the way .A lovely ride out with a tail wind and the sun shining . We haven’t been that way for a while . On landing at the cafe which we have used previously we were told by the owner that only 4 or less cyclists were allowed due large number of rude cyclists causing him to do that. Luckily we put on the charm and he served the super six as we were polite and older !! Me being the youngsters at 58 🤪 Unfortunately he’d run out of tea cakes so we all had granary toast which I must say was very nice . He gave us extra too and we felt obliged to eat despite running out of tea. A major discussion as to how we are spoilt at Defford by Darren by being able to have as much tea and hot water that we want. So with all this going on Julie I must confess I forgot to take any photos . The sun was still out on the way home but we had the head wind in our faces luckily the electric duo did more than fare share on the front. John Bev and I were glad to get home the longest ride this year for us all . (65 miles for me ) Sorry Micky D if you were going to join us tomorrow you’ll have to go out on your own instead 😂😂 Have a lovely holiday Julie see you next Sunday . Saturday’s are nice for a change but the traffic is far worse so back to Sundays .

See you in the morning John quite like Saturday for a ride x

Poor Dave no one got him a tea mean buggers aren’t we but he didn’t say that’s our excuse. Think the sun must have got to Julie as Tony wasn’t out today it was Steve the newbie 😜

Yes Saturday not Sunday as it gives rain Sunday . Since most of us who regularly go out on a Sunday were there today we decided it was better to go out Saturday instead. The venue Riverside Cafe Evesham. 9.30 am Saturday 30 April at TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴‍♀️

Four of us set off from TB John , Tim , Julie and me . We picked Barry up in Feckenham. A windy ride out for the famous 5 . Nothing really to report. Barry carried on and didn’t stop at the Cafe think he was under orders from Lesley 😜 It was very quiet when we got to the View think it was 11 am so quite early . We got served quickly too. There was much discussion as to which way to go home as I wanted to avoid Redditch. We put our faith in Julie who was adamant that she knew a nice way home. So off we set Julie on the front . All I’m going to say is third time lucky apparently the road she was looking to turn left on has moved !!!! Between Tim and John we got back unfortunately via Redditch then Weatheroak . Still a bit windy on the way home too but the sun was out. I got back home at 1320 even Mark said that I was early . On looking at my phone I had a text from Chris P at 1154 am asking where we were ? I could have asked Julie that question but she wouldn’t have know 🤣 Sorry Chris and Roger that we missed you at The Cafe . Some photos below to prove we were there honest 🤨

Lets go to The View at Wooten Wowen . Barry / Steve we will be coming out via Feckenham up to the Ridgeway and out to Alcester . Now you might or might not remember last time we were there Julie said that she knew a different way home so we followed her but it soon became obvious that she got herself lost and Mr Pardo had to step up and get us home . Now Julie assures me that she can remember her way back so we’ll give her another chance 🤪😫 no pressure 😝 9.30 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

You little fibber I didn’t tell them to leave you .🤥 A lovely ride always better when the sun is out 🤩 I did get a bit of glare off the back of John’s very white legs at one point 😂 .

An early post as I’m out tomorrow. Easter Sunday a difficult one as the one’s that are open are busy . So we are going to the Garden Centre at Spring Ridge Crowle . They are open I’ve rung and checked . I have even booked a table in the tunnel where we normally sit for 6 - 8 people at 11.30 to 11.45 . It’s booked in my name Moira from Saracen’s cycle club so if you get there before me you can bags the table. Barry /Steve we will be going out via Priest Bridge then past Philpott Towers so Christine we can pick you up from home no excuses Alan can drive there to meet us . We will go out via Bishampton. 9.30 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

The nice weather brought everyone out including a couple of faces we haven’t seen for a while . Firstly Kevin Rogers who has been on on his push bike since February and he was annoyingly quick 😝 . But he did sit on the front most of the way so glad he was there.x Then Chris Thompson turned up haven’t seen him for a couple of years on the bike . Lovely to see you out .Chris don’t leave it so long for the next time x The rest of us starting from TB John , Tim , Bev , Leigh and me . We headed out to Feckenham where we picked up Barry and Steve so that made 9 the most we’ve had out for ages . Unfortuatley we lost Leigh on the steep hill towards the Ridgeway he stopped for a phone call then turned right at the top and we’d gone left . Luckily he did turn up at cafe 10 minutes after us in good spirits 🤪 After rearranging the tables in the cafe causing mayhem we settled down for refreshments. They were quick and tasty. Off we set Kev still on the front almost immediately we lost Leigh again to another phone call he didn’t want us to wait so we didn’t 😂 Julie I hope it’s sunny in Tenerfie. A lot better today no wind . Bev and I had to strip a layer or two before starting back . Glad we did as it got quite warm on the warm home. Just over 60 miles for Bev , Kev and me most I’ve done this year . A great ride , lovely weather and good company . A few photos below .

Tomorrow looks good the wind has calmed down thank goodness 😅 . The Potted Pantry ( I think that’s what’s it called ) in Blackminster. Barry / Steve we will be heading out via Feckenham so normal place. TB 9.30 am 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴

oh your cake looks yummy 😋

From Sanders Park the famous five set off John , Leigh , Julie , Bev and me . I had a text from Steve saying it was too cold for him . Actually it wasn’t too bad when we set off it was 2.7 degrees according to John’s garmin and it got up to 4.7 degrees before we hit the cafe. Nothing exciting happened on the way out . We luckily found a table inside. Leigh made it without mishaps today. As we were tucking into our tea cakes Terry Dunsbey came into the cafe . A Saracen member since 1952 now not riding . He lives in Bewdley so popped in to say hello. Terry you literally missed Chris P and Roger who came in a minute after you left a shame you missed Chris. We asked and you do not owe any club subs so that’s good for you . Leigh left just as Roger and Chris arrived. We decided to be sociable so we waited for them to take on refreshments before riding back together. Apart from that whopping big hill out of Bewdley straight away a good but hilly ride home. It got really warm on the ride home I think it went up to 7.6 degrees but joking aside it was warm Bev was stripping off 😝 Nice to go that side for a change. A few pictures below and one of the Bridge which Julie insisted I take. And last but not least this little Smurf 🤣

I thought we’d go to Bewdley in the morning as we haven’t been there for a while . As the wind is from the west we should have a tailwind home 😆 For this week only we will be meeting on the car park at Sanders Park so Barry you can drive there to meet us no excuses for not coming out our way for a change 😜 It will be a 9.30 am start as the clocks went forward last week . 9.30 am Sanders Park car park 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴 Opps forgot to say Riverseide Cafe just incasr Chris and Roger come too .

Sounds like you had a lovely ride and great pictures too . I actually rode yesterday on a mountain bike with dodgy gears did 20 miles some off road too. When I got back I cleaned 3 bikes including the chains and fly wheels god they were dirty just wished I’d paid more attention in John’s garage then I might have been able to fix the gears ( no chance really ) A couple of pictures below nice to have a change of scenery and lovely weather . A nice lunch after too x

Julie I would have gladly got into your Van if only you’d parked it in Blackwell when my legs went.☹️ A good ride nice to ride back with Chris and Roger . Lovely to see Mick too and Leigh very briefly . It’s my week to say my legs are hurting .

The weather looks sunny and the wind light 🤞🏻So thought we’d head out to Clive’s at Cropthorne where we can sit outside in the sun and admire the view. Barry/Steve we will be going out via Flying Horse Lane , Priest Bridge , Inkberrow …… so hopefully see you on the way. Julie we will be coming back to TB . 10 am TB 🚴‍♀️🌹🚴