Saturday 28th May - Steve's Magical Mystery Tour (Coming to take you away.)

Following a detailed discussion, (mass debate,) by the committee, it has been agreed that our birthday boy, Mr Fitton should be given the reins this week.

Beyond the initial route out (sea front, anchor, brent knoll) the rest of the ride will be a mystery to all, not least to our leader Steve.... but a 70 is promised.

Rule of the day - 'don't go on ahead, you'll get lost'.

This ride will be a celebration of our new leader's formative years.

Itinerary:

side one:
1: Magical Mystery Tour - (roll up, roll up [satisfaction guaranteed.])
2: The Fool on the Hill - (if you get to the top too quick, you'll freeze before I arrive.)
3: Flying - (back down the other side.)
4: Blue Jay Way - (could be included on the route.... or not [it's a mystery!!!])
5: Your Mother should Know - (How you went around that corner, there could have been a car coming up.)
6: I am a Walrus - (No..... don't say it.... I'm getting up here as quick as I can [how many hills are on this route?])

side two:
1: Hello, Goodbye - (cafe stop.)
2: Strawberry Fields Forever - (pick your own.)
3: Penny Lane - (secluded toilet stops promised.)
4: Baby, You're a Rich Man - (You guys might wish to spend a penny, but I've got a full wallet to unleash here.)
5: All you need is Love - (believe me.)

Tri-Stop? anyone's guess, if we don't know where we're stopping, why should you?

Just a reminder. If you don't already know!
Food and drinks at my place 7pm. Bring an appetite or I will be on leftovers for weeks! All invited.

After months of build up to the big day it is now the morning after and, if you're like me, you might be feeling like one of Tony's tyres - slightly deflated.

Lofty and I waited patiently on the seafront for the bunch to ride through. A small group passed with some old git on the front which I then realised was Mr Burns. I think the reason I did not recognise him straight away was down to the combined age of his fellow riders which seemed to average about 96. Then I spotted Gordon, Bernie and some more of the old guard and realised my mistake. The average age was 103, not 96.

A pleasant ride to Brent Knoll where the crowds were out to welcome the pelaton. I say crowds as there were at least three people at the roadside, Jeannie, her dog and some bloke with a hedge trimmer. Personally I think that is something that should be done in the privacy of your own home.

Across the levels towards Burtle where, and I must say with great forethought, Ivan had arranged for the local farmers to be out in force waiting for the inevitable crash along Tilehurst Road but quite unexpectedly everyone remained upright. You can also tell we are a bunch of amateurs when we have to have a team tractor to follow because a team car would be too fast.

It must have been windy at the front of the bunch as Steve kept tacking from side to side to make full use of Lofty's t-shirt. After zigzagging around like a u boat avoiding depth charges we finally found ourselves in Wookey. Many irritating vehicles hampered us on the ascent of Ebbor Gorge but it was kind of Ivan to hold most of the traffic up behind. Pale Pete looked drained at the top which is quite something for 'pale' Pete. The colour returned to his face after we suspended him upside down for a few minutes so we shoved him to the front of the bunch into the wind. As my dad always used to say - it's the best way to learn.

Our joyful ride continued to Chewton Mendip and onwards to West Harptree. The red mist descended as first Aid (ha ha) and then Tony and Neil took off down the road. I started to chase and just as I was getting knackered I thought about Pete Telford - he's never around when you need him most. Wayne then shot past and a few of us latched onto his wheel. The traffic calming measures clearly don't work as Mark tried to make a meat and two car sandwich which annoyed one motorist. As I said, traffic calming clearly does not work as that driver was quite agitated.

At the cafe we celebrated Pete's birthday with lots of nice food. I had a lovely cheese and ham toastie, Artoo D2 had the special and Ivan had a....Remind me again Ivan - what did you have?

Good speeds set on the way back. I know the police use rolling roadblocks and stingers to slow fast moving traffic but it's the first time I've seen a rolling Walrus block the road as Mark sprinted for the A38.

Great day, great ride and happy birthday to Steve. Didn't really take much notice of the stats. Does anyone know how far that ride was?

Just a note to say to thanks to everyone who did the ride on Saturday.  As you are all aware it was a meticulously planned route designed to cover exactly 70 miles but no one actually managed it.  According to Strava, it was a tie between myself at 69.9 and Adrian at 70.1.  Pete came close with 69.5.  I think that everyone enjoyed the birthday celebration on Saturday evening but you didn't really eat or drink enough. I am on Butcombe bitter, black bean chilly and quiche for a week! And dried up birthday cake.

If I didn't thank you personally for all the cards and gifts then I apologise.  I was quite overwhelmed by the evening.  I even forgot to give out the prize for nearest 70 miles.  

Thanks again everybody.  I had a great day.  Now, who has the next birthday?