Wall to wall sunshine!

Yes, that's the forecast for this weeks' Wednesday ride. Maybe a bit cold early on but with only a light E wind, we are promised good riding conditions.
Planned café stop is Farrington Gurney. We got free tea last time but don't leave your bike by the fire doors!
Route out is that old favourite: Toll road, sea front, Bleadon, Loxton, Webbington.
Priory for a 9.01 start. Don't be late!

Well, we did have plenty of sunshine as forecast and yes it was a tad on the cold side,  -7c to be exact on the way up Cheddar!   Only 3 brave souls (or fools?) turned up at Priory.  We abandoned the toll road route because of possible ice and met Keith on the sea front.  
Apart from being hit in the face by ice particles from the breath (or something) of the rider in front,(Yes! Seriously) the freezing temperature was not an issue as mainly dry roads allowed us to remain upright.  There were the odd slippery patches around but nothing unseen.  
All went to plan until we crossed the A39 near Chewton Mendip when some of the lanes began to be a little icy but with care were passable.   Now, not being fond of articulated trucks trying to suck you off as they pass too close at 60mph we left the A37 south of Ston Easton to approach the café stop from the east.  MISTAKE!  Just rolling gently down Langley's Lane towards the A362 the road suddenly morphed into the Cresta Run.  Tobogganing on 2 wheels is not something to be recommended.   I tried to remain as upright as possible, no brakes, no movement of any kind and somehow managed to get through about 50 yards of sheet ice to some grip.  Behind me I heard that unmistakeable carbon clatter as Jim went down and then shouts as Pete slithered into him!  Keith managed to remain upright.  Someone said it was because us old gits run with soft tyres??  Draw your own conclusions.  
Pete suffered a split shoe and some scrapes but Jim was not so lucky, landing heavily on his arse and elbow at which time he did know the difference between them.  

Wounds were licked at the Farm Shop and blame was obviously apportioned solely to the route organiser, as is right and proper whenever anything goes wrong.  Tea and sympathy were dished out to the sufferers and they seemed to make rapid recoveries as we rode the short way home via West Harptree and Blagdon.  

No ice was broken in the making of this ride.