Although there's a cold 15-20mph N wind to battle against from the Blue Egg to Maglia Rosso, at least it is expected to be dry.
The flip side, of course, is that we'll ride like pros on the way back, refreshed from the cafe stop and the wind in our sails! Just as a club run should be - hard out and easy back!
8.30am prompt start outside the 3 Tuns....can drivers please get there a little earlier so that we can load up extra bikes and leave on time.
Last minute food supplies available in the village or at the Blue Egg Cafe
Look forward to seeing you all Saturday - HAPPY DAYS!
Tried to keep hydrated and finished off 2 bottles. Followed instructions about drinking a litre per hour, but still feel dry.....maybe I need to drink more?
Excellent ride in pastures new
A ride of two halves, gusty head wind out, rolling hills back
Pirate singing coming on well
Will have to try harmonies soon
Tricky first stage from Blue Egg to Maglia Rosso via Long Melford and Lavenham. 35 miles @ 15mph into a 20 mph headwind with 30mph gusts and slashing rain. Took a while to warm up as 5C at start into that cold northerly wind! Total Eclipse all day in the murky conditions. Spirits not dampened and plenty of singing and positive vibes by the Pirate Barber Shop Singers chased the rain away. Hits included 'Walking on Sunshine', 'Singing in the Rain', 'Pitter Patter Raindrops', 'I'm Going to Barbados', 'Oh, What a Beautiful Morning', 'Bring Me Sunshine', 'Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head', 'I've Just Blown in From the Windy City'... a few amused residents in the local hamlets who must have thought a plague of screeching cats were coming along the road! It was like listening to Des O'Connor's greatest hits! Then we lapsed into a few rugby songs, unmentionable here to protect the innocents, in anticipation of the forthcoming game at Twickenham. Anyway, the singing chased away the rain clouds!
Long Melford probably looks better without the wind and rain, but Lavenham was scenic, as we sat outside the lovely Guildhall in the picturesque market square for a well-earned 5 mins breath-catcher. Then onward into the hurricane, traversing single track lanes and scarcely a car in sight, finally reaching the Maglia Rosso and hot food and coffee. Well-rested we then headed south for the Blue Egg, with the wind behind us and helping us traverse the rolling countryside. The Bullet found he not only had a second wind, but an eighth, ninth and even tenth wind! There was no stopping him until the magical properties of Rennie worked wonders.
Working together as a group, we all arrived safe and sound back at the Blue Egg. Second stage was 27 miles @ 15mph. Total for the day 62 miles @ 15mph with 3000ft of climbing. It felt harder.
Summary? Great to be out with friends on new roads, plenty of laughs and banter. It would be so easy to look at the prospects of a damp and blustery ride and decide to stay under the duvet, but we all pulled together and had great fun. No one left behind, all looking out for each other. Tremendous spirit and camaraderie, which I guess what it is all about. Thanks guys.
Body has now recovered with the aid of Guinness watching the rugby
It was a great day I think I will give the double beans on toast a miss next time
Looking forward to the next adventure thanks to john d ,James,Nick and john d for your assistance it's great when a team pulls together
I think we may have got sun stroke if we had gone out today
TC
I think, on balance, that mild sun-stroke would be preferable to hypothermia!
Spent the day on the east Kent coast today visiting family. Overcast, drizzle, 20mph winds off the grey North Sea. Returned home to blue skies and dead calm.
Comments
Will go with original plan for Saturday ride.
Although there's a cold 15-20mph N wind to battle against from the Blue Egg to Maglia Rosso, at least it is expected to be dry.
The flip side, of course, is that we'll ride like pros on the way back, refreshed from the cafe stop and the wind in our sails! Just as a club run should be - hard out and easy back!
8.30am prompt start outside the 3 Tuns....can drivers please get there a little earlier so that we can load up extra bikes and leave on time.
Last minute food supplies available in the village or at the Blue Egg Cafe
Look forward to seeing you all Saturday - HAPPY DAYS!
Fonzie Dutchman
Be sure to bring thermals tomorrow.
A 'tropical high' of 6-7C expected at noon, but accompanied by 20mph Artic blasts.....
......Wind chill factor will therefore make it feel more like 1C!
Cap'n on the front for the first leg. I'll navigate from behind in the chart room.
Swap places for charge south.
Shivering Dutchman
Balmy Sunday missed for the Bullet
Lots of work for him !
Cars to meet 3 tuns 8.15am to load etc
We have a convoy
Rudder duck to suicide jockey
Tony the Bullet to become Tony the Icebreaker
Can someone buy some sausage rolls from Crumps for the convoy?
Shiver me timbers Dutchman
Have to partake in cafe fry up instead :-)
CP
It makes you feel a bit light headed
Recovery tomorrow
CP
Agreed Cap'n. Very light headed indeed.
Tried to keep hydrated and finished off 2 bottles. Followed instructions about drinking a litre per hour, but still feel dry.....maybe I need to drink more?
Please don't drink and ride, folks.
Thirsty Dutchman
Time to set sail
CP
Leaving in 5 mins! Excited!
FD
A ride of two halves, gusty head wind out, rolling hills back
Pirate singing coming on well
Will have to try harmonies soon
Look forward to the next one
Cotswolds bound
Cheers
CP
Great fun today. Good to see you all again.
Tricky first stage from Blue Egg to Maglia Rosso via Long Melford and Lavenham. 35 miles @ 15mph into a 20 mph headwind with 30mph gusts and slashing rain. Took a while to warm up as 5C at start into that cold northerly wind! Total Eclipse all day in the murky conditions. Spirits not dampened and plenty of singing and positive vibes by the Pirate Barber Shop Singers chased the rain away. Hits included 'Walking on Sunshine', 'Singing in the Rain', 'Pitter Patter Raindrops', 'I'm Going to Barbados', 'Oh, What a Beautiful Morning', 'Bring Me Sunshine', 'Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head', 'I've Just Blown in From the Windy City'... a few amused residents in the local hamlets who must have thought a plague of screeching cats were coming along the road! It was like listening to Des O'Connor's greatest hits! Then we lapsed into a few rugby songs, unmentionable here to protect the innocents, in anticipation of the forthcoming game at Twickenham. Anyway, the singing chased away the rain clouds!
Long Melford probably looks better without the wind and rain, but Lavenham was scenic, as we sat outside the lovely Guildhall in the picturesque market square for a well-earned 5 mins breath-catcher. Then onward into the hurricane, traversing single track lanes and scarcely a car in sight, finally reaching the Maglia Rosso and hot food and coffee. Well-rested we then headed south for the Blue Egg, with the wind behind us and helping us traverse the rolling countryside. The Bullet found he not only had a second wind, but an eighth, ninth and even tenth wind! There was no stopping him until the magical properties of Rennie worked wonders.
Working together as a group, we all arrived safe and sound back at the Blue Egg. Second stage was 27 miles @ 15mph. Total for the day 62 miles @ 15mph with 3000ft of climbing. It felt harder.
Summary? Great to be out with friends on new roads, plenty of laughs and banter. It would be so easy to look at the prospects of a damp and blustery ride and decide to stay under the duvet, but we all pulled together and had great fun. No one left behind, all looking out for each other. Tremendous spirit and camaraderie, which I guess what it is all about. Thanks guys.
FD
Hey, Bullet, have you seen the weather today?!!
FD
It was a great day I think I will give the double beans on toast a miss next time
Looking forward to the next adventure thanks to john d ,James,Nick and john d for your assistance it's great when a team pulls together
I think we may have got sun stroke if we had gone out today
TC
I have a full bottle if we had done today
Still with the wind " pain is weakness leaving the body "
Unfortunately has not worked for me
Meant the beer worked quickly watching the rugby though
CP
I think, on balance, that mild sun-stroke would be preferable to hypothermia!
Spent the day on the east Kent coast today visiting family. Overcast, drizzle, 20mph winds off the grey North Sea. Returned home to blue skies and dead calm.
Jinxed Dutchman
Hope to see you soon
Pete2cold4sunscreen
FD