showmethecakes Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:27 am
It has been a while since we had a ride report so thought I would treat our dear departed friend Martin with something to read during his period of rehabilitation!
Firstly I couldn't be bothered to ride up to Priory as the group would be passing along the Cote de Weston and I could pick up the ride there. As it turns out this was a good decision as I took pity on my trusty steed and at 8:30 decided to clean off what remained of the farmers field it had collected during Thursday's solo ride. It also meant avoiding any more enchanting encounters with our friendly pensioner motorists. I thought my nan and I had an agreement. A free cup of tea and a lottery ticket to take out the Burns. The job was clearly only half done so I might have to run to two lottery tickets next time to get the job done properly!
Anyway, finished the big clean up at 9:00 and set off only to remember I was going to check my tyre pressures in view of the long ride. So I turned back, put a bit more air in them, and then arrived at the sea front with minutes to spare! Slotted in on the front of about 18 riders before picking up two more in the form of Jeannie and Paul S at the Anchor.
The group stayed pretty much together as far as Bridger where it all fell apart with some heading for Cannington via Spaxton, some unwittingly joining the long ride for another mile or so before realising the others had gone to Cannington and then deciding to abort on Enmore and make a dash for th canal cafe. So much for Ivan's short ride option of Pines.
The first finishers at Pines were tempted to abandon there and then in view of the rather fetching young ladies serving in the cafe. Pete made some excuse about heading in to 'get some more liquids'. He clearly got more than he bargained for and I can only assume he'd been given a free savaloy which he'd tucked down his shorts for later.
Ivan did the decent thing by riding up last, giving us all the virtual bird, and carrying on to the top of Cothelstone. On the approach to the descent we considered whether or not Ivan was of sound mind when he suggested taking it easy down the hill. They say insanity is close to genius. Now I wouldn't like to suggest which it was but there was a lorry parked on the apex of the first left hander which we all successfully negotiated at much reduced speed followed by a rather sketchy right hander that looked dry on the approach but hid some rather slimy leaves in the shadow of the trees. Confident that all was now right with the world we accelerated down the lower slopes only to be thwarted by a flood across the road.
Onwards and upwards towards Elworthy where we picked up a tri something who joined us for the ride over the top and down to the crossroads where we regrouped. The magnificent seven then rode into town for tea and buns - or in Ivan's case a 'light bite' of sausage, egg and bacon bap with a cake on the side!
After enjoying the pleasant sounds of this rural retreat complete with pneumatic drill and through traffic, the magnificent seven left having raped and pillaged the cafe. Within a couple of miles of Wiveliscombe we had already lost Steve and pulled over to wait. Pete decided now was a good time to have a slash but Steve appeared before Pete had let the rabbit see the bushes. I wouldn't say we didn't care but Pete is a fit rider and we were confident he would catch us as we chain ganged it at 25's into Taunton. We finally took pity on him and pulled over to wait.
It was the usual battle through the Taunton traffic and in view of the shortened daylight hours we decided against a second stop, a decision I instantly regretted as we blasted up the A38 back towards Bridger. Ivan offered a second stop in Riders which Pete seemed keen on but no-one else wanted the hassle of calling the ambulance to get him surgically removed from his handlebars.
The quick tempo continued most of the way home although we lost Neil somewhere along Accomodation Road. Hope you got home safely Neil.
Stats wise it was a 80 to 90 miler at an average of 17.5.
Next week it's the sequel - The magnificent seven rider again.