showmethecakes Sun Feb 12, 2017 2:45 pm
Thought about getting the summer bike out. After all, it had been dry for a few days and despite low temperatures it was forecast to be dry again. A snowflake then drifted past the window and two seconds later the summer bike was back in its hermetically sealed chamber as the last post sounded.
Despite the odd flake it was a reasonable turn out on a cold day. Mishaps were miraculously avoided on the slime section of the A370 but there were two casualties at Yatton. Unknown to all Nick had turned back due to illness and Pete had gone straight on into Yatton, neither were seen again!
One jockey had a refusal at Kenn Moore. Allegedly suffering from ASS (Automatic Shifting Syndrome), Ivan turned back for home and the comfort of his motorcycle.
By Wraxall the weather was no better and about half the group opted for the direct route to Gatcombe Farm. The more foolhardy bunch headed up Wraxallberg for a high speed loop via Ashton Court and Long Ashton. At the top the snow had settled and the temperature dropped to minus numbers. Another slimy decent was negotiated through the woods and we all safely gathered for tea and buns.
Burns made a guest appearance having dropped Mrs Burns off for cocktails in Bristol. Just as we decided to leave Ivan appeared astride his large throbbing machine. After a couple of minutes admiring his equipment we set off and once again the group split with most taking on Belmont Hill with the minority heading down the cycle path to Nailsea.
At the top of Belmont Neil and I had decided to head to the left and then go left along the main road for a few hundred metres before turning right down 1 mile hill. Steve suggested the alternative was to go to the right and then go left to Portishead. What then followed was everyone belting down Beggar Bush Lane which was not what anyone had in mind!
A good old fashioned rant down the A369 was promptly followed up with a 'Let's take it easy now' followed by a slightly more low key rant to Clevedon, but a bit of a rant nonetheless.
Martin had an emergency ball count when his chain slipped in Yatton. Look on the bright side Martin, that's a few more ounces lighter. A taxi driver decided it was a good idea to try to pass 8 cyclists around a bend and then couldn't understand why he had annoyed a few of us before we set off back down the A370. Surprisingly we all stayed together to Puxton.
OJC: 4?, TTCR: 7/10 (could have been 7.5 if they actually put up a menu).