Julie

Never a truer word spoken! Fab photo. Thanks Alan.

I'll be there. I'll be driving to Sanders Park. So if I can do it... no excuses Barry. See you tomorrow 👍

🤢 😲. 👍

First of all everyone remembered to put their clocks forward so leigh, John, Tim, Richard and me set off from TB at the correct time. No Moira as she was away in France eating frogs legs and snails no doubt 🤢 Not sure what happened to Mike but hope you make it out next time Mike 👍 Leigh turned up in optimistic mood in shorts. We all thought this was a bad idea. Not least because of his wrinkly knees. More about them later! No Barry to pick up this week en route as he had a family soirée to organise and host. But we did pick Steve up in the usual spot. We headed off and ended up going up that very steep hill before the lovely descent into thingymajig. I got no warning so it was a bit of a shock to the system!! It was a mixed day as when the sun came out it felt warm but in the shade it was chilly. Typical English weather. We arrived at Hillers where Chris and Dave were waiting for us. Bit of a drama as we arrived as for some reason leigh decided to hit the gravel, coming off his bike in the process and cutting said wrinkled knees and hitting his head 😲. He set off early to cook dinner for all and sundry so hope he's OK. Alan also arrived so a nice group chat was had. Most people went for cake, which was huge! Richard decided on cake and a sausage roll as he wanted some fuel in the tank. I had the obligatory tea cake, scrumptious 😋 We had a lovely ride home with Chris and dave joining us for part of it and Steve leaving us at Inkberrow. The route out and back was really nice, so thank you John. Nice one 👍. See you next time. Pics below. Warning to those of a sensitive nature, there is blood!!

Ill be there.

I'm not surprised Moira. You were on the front 99% of the time. I'll take over next time 😆.

A few old faces turned up at the start point today. Leigh was there when I arrived. He'd come to say hello as he was off to see his daughter and needed to get back home. Was nice to see him. Tim and Richard (ex new boy) arrived both with performance anxiety as they'd not been out for a few weeks. Moira of course. Mike also turned up with his wrist all strapped up and still very painful. It was really nice to see him. So nice that Moira ditched me and went on the front with Mike for a catch up. I managed to get a word with him too. Wrist problem sounds horrendous. Hopefully he will soon be on the mend and get out more regularly. Some old Beacon riders turned up too. I'd actually passed them on my way to TB. Im not showing off or anything 😆 but you got to blow your own trumpet sometime. Don't be too impressed they were pretty slow!. For those that know him Dr Dave was with them. So another old face to say hi to. The 5 of us set off and met Barry who had returned from his holiday which he had thoroughly enjoyed. Off to Clives we went. A nice steady ride with no performance issues at all. Mike and Tim decided to go a shorter ride and left us somewhere en route. Chris and Alan passed us in their car as we got to Clives so good timing for them. We sat outside as it was rammed inside but it was a bit cold so as soon as an inside table came free we all skeddadled inside. Much cosier. John and Ann arrived. So did the elusive Roger and Chris. We had a lovely chat about majorca holidays. I was told it was a lovely adventure especially the hair pin descents, heat exhaustion, long climbs, and steep hills. Not sure that's my idea of fun 🙈. Although the night time drinking and nice food sounded a bit more enticing. We set off back. Nice sunny day a bit of wind but nothing compared to what we've been experiencing lately. We took 3 scalps I think on the way back 7 in all for me so I was well chuffed. Richard left us before TB and Barry just before Stockland Green (I think) which left Roger, Moira Chris and me. Roger and Chris took off in front with our permission as we neared the Lickeys. I was very pleased to get back to my van to try and catch up with Roger and Chris but I couldn't see them in Northfield where I normally catch them. I was beginning to think they must be behind me and that me and Moi had managed to make some ground up. I was starting to feel a bit smug.... but then I saw them in the distance in Bournville already! ! Looking as fresh as a daisy 🌼. Maybe next time. Here's the pics. Can you spot the love birds??? I'll give you a clue it's not Barry and Moira 😆

Fab. See you tomorrow x

It was a pretty eventful ride overall. It was also nice over taking some random cyclist when me and Moira were on our own. I felt pretty smug about that 😂😂. It doesn't happen often!!!

Love this. 😂😂😂

You are correct. Im clueless so make sure you don't lose me!! I hope we're not going over the lenches again! 🤔

Moira, me John and Leigh set off from Tardebigge with Roger (no mates). Roger joined as Chris was attending a bit of a do to celebrate Ivors wife's 80th birthday. I hope they all had a great time. My mom and dad, Dave Mortimer were there too, so I hope they all had a good old catch up. So with Roger asked to keep it steady we set off on a very chilly ride. 😊 We were joined for a while by Tony who left us at the bottom of the lenches (I don't blame him to be honest). We were also joined by Barry and new boy Steve. So Richard J you are no longer the new boy 👍. Although Steve was known by most there. We all got up the lenches ok, with everyone setting their own pace, which for me was bringing up the rear as usual. But someone's got to make sure no one is left behind. 😆. As we got close to the cafe Leigh shot off as he likes a quick turn around. He had the biggest plate of tomatoes on toast I've ever seen Tea cakes and jam ran out so some of us made do with toasted hot cross buns and marmalade. Which were very nice. But not that filling so we stocked up on flapjacks and other stuff. Dave M was also waiting at the cafe for us. Chris and Alan turned up too. But weren't holding hands much to Moiras disappointment. Dave and leigh set off before the rest of the group. A nice steady ride back into the wind in places so it felt a bit cold. I had offered to take people home in my van, parked at Barnt Green, but I couldn't tempt anyone. I passed Roger on my way into Northfield and gave him a little wave, I'm sure he'd have preferred to be in my van 🙈. Here's some pictures. See you all next time.

I dont like the sound of those hills but don't worry I've stuffed my face with fish and chips so I should be ok. 👍

Great ride today. Lovely sunshine and great company. Your write up made me laugh. Having to sort leigh out was so funny 😂😂😂😂

See you tomorrow 👍. Hopefully I'll keep up with you all!

Hahaha. Well done Moira. It's a bit too windy for me so I'll meet up at BA at 11.30 😘

Yes let's wait and see Moira. Its not looking good tbh 🤞

Welcome back Moira. I'll be out, weather permitting but I'm not as optimistic of an over night improvement in the forecast 🤞

Stop it Moira! It's raining here but I'm not jealous at all. I'm in windy Dartmouth so won't be out either. A depleted Saracens by the sound of it. Enjoy the sunshine moira and I hope the creaky knees get sorted both. Saying that though my right knee has been creaking too!! Must be something in the water. Dreamt the saracens run was a 5 miler. I was fuming!! Strange what you dream about eh!! See you next week x

Yes a good ride out today, helped by a nice south westerly wind back home, which I was very thankful of. As I just managed to hang on to the wheel in front of me. I managed 51 miles the longest ride this year. Although my a*** was pretty sore. 😥 Nice pics and a lovely day.

👍. I doubt we will get rain but we might get a bit of a breeze to tackle with. 🙈

So a cold day but a few of us braved the elements. I started out in my van to meet everyone at TB. On my way I spotted a familiar figure in the lanes. Moira was getting some extra miles in. Well done Moira! I managed to squeeze past her and carry on to the meeting point. Setting off from TB were Moira, Kev the train driver, Leigh and Tim. I'm also pleased to say that John joined us for a little way. He'd left Anne in bed with strict instructions not to move far. Lovely to see you out John even for only a short time. We picked Barry up at the usual spot and proceeded to do a loop around to Broadacres. Most of us were complaining of cold fingers but we soldiered on regardless. Passing the philpotts house where we all shouted and waved but Alan was busy with his gripper rods so I doubt he heard us. Good luck for your imminent op Alan. Kev left us to do a few more miles and met us at the cafe where Lynn joined him. Tim carried on when we got to the cafe. On arriving at Broad acres we found Ivor who had decided it was too cold for him to cycle and I don't blame him there. Dave M was also there waiting for us on his bike. So the chat centred mainly around hip operations, arthritis, pelvis ops, key hole surgery and the general aging process. So a nice cheery topic. As we were leaving Mocha John arrived. He looked well it was nice to see him too. Leigh had left earlier, so it was just Moira, Kev, Dave and me setting out. Dave turned left at the top of the hill leaving 3 of us to carry on together. On getting in my van at TB there was a bit of deja vue as I passed Moira and Kev on the way back. They were going well. Probably keen to get home in the warm. All in all a good ride, fairly cold but with my 6 layers on I was quite toastie.

Thanks for the update on Anne. Wishing her a speedy recovery. It does look a bit cold, but I'll wait for your update in the morning before making a final decision. 😉

Good write up Moira. You're right I had no clue we'd done the longer route. Very sneaky of you 🙈. John you were missed, and I hope Anne makes a speedy recovery. Wishing her all the very best. Hope to see you out soon.

I'm hoping to join you. See you tomorrow