ChrisP

Thanks for posting Bev hope to join up in the future. Will probably be starting a months worth of radiotherapy in the next couple of weeks

Many Happy Returns to Hilary another year. love Chris

Be aware of Shimano crank delamination on Ultegra and Dura Ace chain sets. I thought my Ultegra set was to old for this problem. While out the other week but fortunately within a couple of miles from home. I was climbing over the canal bridge in Lifford Lane and the crank came apart I managed to get home one legged. Pleased to say Northfield Cycles sent it back to Shimano for me. After a few weeks wait a replacement set was returned. A complete Ultegra set cranks and new rings. Luckily didn't fall of when it broke.

After many years of planning and posting destination and routes for the runs. Plus the excellent reports with pictures etc. Our organisers have decided it was time to stand down and pass the baton on, a difficult act to follow. Our thanks go out to them. Unfortunately we have no volunteers at present to take it on. The meetings will still be at Tardebigge on Sundays 10:00 o'clock start maybe earlier if the summer comes. Those present will need to decide on Cafe stop and route. Also noted the lack of posting on the Club Website myself being guilty. There is generally lots viewing. Lets all try a little harder. I know the club is shrinking but hope we can keep things going as the rides with good company are always a pleasure. Hope to meet up on the road soon. Chris P

Note! Sean has updated some of the web site and you maybe need to log back into the site.

Moria has posted on the watts app page 10 am start from TB heading for Bishamton Note! Sean has updated some of the web site & you wii probably need to log back into the club site

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year. I hope the sun returns and we can get plenty of miles in next year. Best wishes to all. Chris & Hilary

Hi John have you forgot it’s fry up Sunday

Roger & I set of at 10 good job we had lights on more like night. Got as far as Northfield and felt a few spots in the air. Continued to the lights outside the baths no need to go in more water on the outside thinking of all the washing we’d have to do ( or reprimand we’d get ) staying out we turned left for home.

Another Sunday winter ride. Great weather no wind about rather gray and cool. Set of with Roger almost 3degs glad I put the winter clothing on. As we climbed up the Lickeys temperature dropped to 1.5 and clouds getting lower. We pressed on heading towards Alvechurch by Redditch heavy drizzle descended and temperature dropped to 0.6 . Thinking of home we turned left up Dagnelend road with the thought of not going to far out. We finished with a loop back via Earlswood drizzle and low temperature most of the way although it did get back up to 2.8 in Stirchley. Hope Tuesday is better.

Sorry to announce the sudden death of Pat on Friday. As a social member of the club she regularly attended our lunches and club dinners. R.I.P Pat Chris & Hilary

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The funeral for Pauline will take place on the 30th November 2:00 pm at Redditch Crematorium. Dress informal. No floral tributes. Donations to British Heart Foundation and Motor Neurone Disease. For details of refreshments after service please call me.

Sad to announce the death of Pauline yesterday Sunday 5th November aged 92 A long time member of the Saracen along with her husband Allan. She was a regular attendee at social functions and helping hand at club events. Our thoughts go out to her children Lesley, Phil and Terry, also grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be sadly missed. Chris and Hilary.

With Roger back on two wheels we set of for a social day at Tonry estate. The ladies took a tour of the grounds, picking up some horticultural tips along the way from Jenny. Ivor and Pete soon followed to discuss pond life. After the tours time to relax with lots of tea and extra large teacakes. Plus plenty of jam not those silly little pots. The ladies table probably discussing when to prune your roses. Not sure what Moira is holding.. As mentioned Alan is giving Barry an in depth lesson on Ebike tuning with a little help from friends. All good things come to an end time to head of home. A big thank you to Jenny and Steve for a great lunchtime break.

2 more Roger and me

An early start for me 7:30 leaving home. No Roger today still recovering from his fall. Tess picked me up and we set of up the M6 & M52 to the start in Brewood about 10 mile north of Wolverhampton. With little traffic on the motor ways we were there by 8:30 for a 9 oclock start. Numbers no signed on bikes ready sort out drinks and grub. Ready to go. Open road ahead. The route took us through the lanes to Bridgnorth. The bridge leading to Severn Valley Railway. Leaving Bridgnorth we took the road to Highley which started a long climbing stretch. Great views either side of the road. Haven't been through Highley for many years. Further on we turned for Bewdley then dropped down the lane to Arley to cross the railway then the river. Time for a break before climbing up to Shatterford. Eat them quick before they melt. Last feed stop before the finish. An interesting route with over 3700 feet of climbing great countryside wonderful weather good company plenty of happy cyclists. Just need to catch up with my beauty sleep now.

First thing congratulations to Barry's daughter. Well it looks like a very relaxed club outing not to far out from home. Seems we all got home before the rain arrived. The storm John had arrived in Bournville about an hour ago. So Billy no mates had to go out alone again today. Roger is nursing he's injuries after falling down a hole just below Leach Green Lane below the Lickey's on our way home on Tuesday. Fortunately nothing broken just the removal of some skin and some bruising. The most distressing thing the holes in his top. Tess is also recovering from a Saturday night wedding celebration she attended. Decided to set of in a Solihull direction for a change then do a tour of Warwickshire. Continuing out to Hampton in Arden which meant some road diversions due to HS2 works. Ended on the boundary of Coventry. Rode on past the old Massey Ferguson site which is now a large housing estate, made my way to Kenilworth. Passing on through the village to turn down a lane heading for Beausale this is well used by cyclists in both directions. Almost last the phone this time. Legs still feel good Norton Linsey next. Bearley Next. Think it's time to head for home don't want to catch the rain. Through the lanes to Ullenhall only one problem ahead after passing though there. Forde Hall Hill. Got back before the rain a good day for riding again. Only 25degs today no wind about Hope you enjoy the ride.

Roger and I met up as usual on the corner of Bournville Lane. Note the limp flag on the pole, that's a good sign. Roger rolling up. Todays destination The Garden Shed Cafe Wellesbourne. Trip out via Earlswood, Lowsonford, Norton Linsey and Hampton Lucy. The road dropping down to Hampton Lucy, Roger speeding ahead on his noisy wheels. Looking across the fields towards Stratford. Time for refreshments. These must be the biggest tea cakes ever. Our return ride took us past Charlecote Park. And the Garden Centre we used for our audax. We carried on passing near Snitterfield and through Wilmcote. Again Roger of ahead and passing Mary Arden House. I think he's spotted the pub at the junction. We finish of retracing our route near Earlswood. A great day for riding warm no wind about. Shorts and short sleeve top on. What more can you want.

Yes what a great day for a bike ride is it the summer at long last. Decided to try a new café at Clifton upon Teme called The Apple Tree Kitchen. Not far from the Cob House Fishery near Martley. Tess joined Roger and myself after 2 solid weeks at work plus call outs. We set of in the cool arm warmers and gelits on. This would be a 70 mile round trip with 4500 feet of climbing. We went out via Holt Fleet, Ockeridge, Shelsley Beauchamp. First sight of Abberley through the trees. As thing are warming up time to remove excess clothing. Just after leaving Holt Fleet. Nearly dropped the camera To continue. Getting closer crossing the river Teme near Shelsely Walsh. A useful signpost. Our first view of the cafe in the Teme Valley. A few pics around the cafe. Tess's mum and Lotte plus Otto drove out to join us for a sit in the sun with great views from the cafe. Also refreshments. Mustn't forget Otto. Might know there would be an old Morgan as we're so close to Shelsley. Could have stayed all day as it was such a nice place, but time to head home. Dropping down to Belbroughton nearly back only Dayhouse to finish. This was one of the best cafe's I've been to great views good food made better with the weather. Small set back climbing back out of the place but well worth the ride.

Started out 15 mins earlier today then try to catch up with Moira and Co at the cafe. Decided to take the straightest route, which meant using the A38 to Worcester then after crossing the river head of through Callow End. With a tail wind we made very good time and reached Clives just as the others were arranging the seats. Roger leading the way up to the Common. A view over to The Malvern Hills. You can just see them above the hedge. Just to show he didn't lead all the way. The Magnificent Seven setting up camp. In the distance that RR. Having past Tuesday runs watering hole Revels at Defford a glimpse of Bredon Hill the other side of the fields. Moira and E power Chris shoot of up the road when I'm struggling with the camera. Is Alan having trouble with the pace, as he's picked up the wrong bike leaving home. This one has no power pack. Is he trying to wave me on or a cry for help. Or was he telling me to move out of the way I'm coming through. The break was short lived Moira's legs gave up as she tackled the railway bridge climb. Roger and I followed John and Moira on the long route home via Droitwich, this gave us Dayhouse climb to finish the day of. This gave us almost an 80 mile ride. Haven't been that far for ages. Great to ride with the group for a change weather ok not to windy could have coped with more sun but you can't have everything.

Sorry we missed you today, you must have been going the opposite way as we approached the café turn coming from Welford. Yes a great day on the bike pity the wind was a little annoying on the way home. Also no teacakes!!!! but the croissants and jam made up for it.

Hope to see you there

With the usual reporters resting today thought I'd better fill the space. With Roger back from his holiday we met up for a little exercise. We set of in a Tardibegge direction and caught up with Ivor and Pete by the golf course on their way to Broadacres for breakfast, we past them with a cheery good morning, they didn't turn up the power must have wanted to save the batteries for climb up the Lickeys on the way home. We continued on our way to Bidford then make our way to review the Railway Carriage. I'm pleased to say it is a vast improvement than the last time I visited. We ordered a tea and a coffee which came in very large cups plus teacakes and jam. Excellent service. As it was warm we sat outside but it was good to see how the inside has improved. A couple of pictures for the ladies who haven't visited yet. A great day for a ride, almost felt like summer might be coming getting to 20 degs on the way home. Roger and I managed our longest ride this year just over 65 miles.

11 to early for me to catch you at Bewdley have a good ride.