A dull and cool day met us at the legion this morning, with a healthy throng of eager riders pitching up as usual for the 2 runs. The long one headed off to Prees, whilst the short run was to head off to the Ice Cream Farm via an as yet unknown route.
Alan announced it and said that although it was published as flat, we’d whizz up through Kingsley and then up Overton Hill. Thanks. I’ve just popped out on 82″ fixed (okay, unconventionally large for a winter training gear – Dave Fearon where are you when I need the backup on why this is a good gear?).
“Flat, Alan said…”
We headed off and up through Kingsley, then left and down towards Frodsham, and, as suggested, left and up Overton Hill. “For the record Al”, I said, “I hate you”. as I wound up the gear to get some cadence for the hill ahead. I think my heart rate maxxed out near the top. I couldn’t see.
“Flat, Alan said…”
All went well after that, and we forgot all such claims of the horizontal. A pleasant run got us to the ice cream farm, with no problems other than a couple of unshipped chains along the way. Chatter and banter aplenty. It’s worth noting that there was a handsome moustachio’d cyclist amongst us today. His name escapes me…
It goes without saying that Alan won the sneaky sprint to the cafe, given that the road contains no inclines and is decidedly.. whats the word…? This made him first in the queue of course for dinner!
We queued and ordered our usuals, with fine deserts and hot beverages accompanying. Whilst queuing, a not insignificant voice, with a slight Liverpudlian twang shouted “Eh Ady, Al’s got two pieces of cake”. Of course, by the time that I exited the queue, all evidence of this was gone. JW, did however manage to grab evidence of the latest misdemenour.
Off the wagon... again...
Before we left, I did question Al about the shape of his stomach and whether it was a bit rotund following his dinner.
“Flat, Alan said…”
I should now mention that our excellent leader for the day was Woody, who managed to get us all there in good time, without shelling anyone off the back.
He did seem a bit eager to get back though, and announced that he needed to return quickly, as he ‘had a lot of ironing to do’. Of course, no-one made any inappropriate jokes or laughed in any way at this, and when asking for advice, the club demonstrated the best way to iron all manner of clothes. If you loook carefully at the photograph, you can see the universally superb ironing actions being demonstrated.
This is how you do it Woody..
It’s also worth noting that he then changed his mind, and indicated to me that he only had two garments to iron. At least I think that is what he is indicating (see left of pciture)?
Alan had better advice for the end result required of his domestic endevours of course…
“Flat, Alan said…”
A slightly more spritely return from the cafe saw some speed up and down hills, and the obligatory romp up Whitegate saw me try and keep some momentum in my gear, and a subsequent attack by Silver, Wood and first time out new girl Rachel, who did a sterling job in keeping up with the frenetic pace. Wood took the prize, with me wheezing up behind, and Rachel and Silver close behind. Alan blamed his poor performance on something not being something. Can’t remember what….
A great day out again. Cheers all.