Alton revisited…

Six set off to Alton, most had been before but 1 rider was to experience the post lunch climbs for the first time. Uncertain of the weather and dressed in a variety of outfits to reflect the individual optomism we headed out to the lovely Milwich! 


Sailing past the Green Man and on towards the hills, pausing only for minor maintenance and sadle issues we made good time and arrived at the idylic Travellers Rest, it was a race for the loo and then time to relax in the sunshine and enjoy an early lunch. 


Don made a very generous donation to sponsor the team, for which we would all like to thank him.

Refreshed with tea and toasted sandwhiches we headed out for the climb and the journey home, our route taking a variation to the norm on a short section of the A50 (it was quick and a little un-nerving for those of us who appreciate our mortallity)!  A long short cut at Amerton brought us to the A51 and the Dog & Doublet, back on the more familiar lanes towards Sandon and home. 


Approximately 60 miles for most riders, who were all impressed by Dons performance on his new fixed wheel bike! 

The Keeno’s wanted a little more and tagged on the Tixall, Hayward, Walton loop for an extra 10 or so miles.

Bike ride meeting report

For the ride to Llandudno, can we meet at 5.30 for photos etc for a prompt get-away at 6.00 – we have along way top go.


The lunch stop is at Lake Vyrnwy, can you take whatever you would like for lunch to the start where there will be cool boxes to store it, there may also be other goodies and a hot cup of tea courtesy of Jane and Mike who will meet us there with their support van.


Luggage: can you either take your overnight bag to the start where it can go on the ‘Yes’ van or get it to Jackie’s or Pete’s by the Friday evening and this can then be put in one of the support vehicles the night before.


Dinner is booked for 9pm and a roast dinner is being put on by the hotel, if you haven’t done so already, can you let Jackie know if you would like beef or chicken.


More info soon.


It’s not far away now folks.

Meeting

Hi Guys,

Just a quick reminder that the meeting about the 'big ride' is on Friday 22nd July, at 7.30pm in the coffee shop at the Swan, you don't have to drink coffee though!

If any one wants to make a night of it, there is live music in the garden there that night too.

See you then.

Cheers Jackie x

Ironbridge and Alton mk2

After the soggy 60 miles to Ironbridge last week, this Sunday sees our last 'long' training ride where we are off to Alton again.


As it's quite a way with a “few nice little hills” as Russell would say, the start time has been brought forward to 9 o'clock.


See you then.

Your chance to ride at the Stafford Town Centre GP cycling

On the 4th of July there is pro cycle racing in Stafford town centre.

Before the pro race gets underway the crowd get their chance to be part of the evening’s cycling as the inaugural Lupus Lap takes place. The Lupus Lap is a 1 lap sportive. All proceeds will go to locally based charity the Hibbs Lupus Trust. We believe it is the World’s shortest sportive. So why not take part in this unique event, do something worth while and ride the same course as some famous names. To find out more and enter the Lupus Lap head to staffordgp.co.uk/lupus-lap

The Brewood charity ride

Most of the riders this week completed a challenge before the 7.00 am meet at the Wildwood. Pete and Paul were unsure till the 11th hour if they would have bikes to ride and Jackie set off from home in plenty of time, but the small matter of a bursting tyre, had her turning tale and pushing her bike home. A brief delay whilst Becky got her devoted husband to bring her forgotten energy drink and 5 were off, bound for Brewood and its 2012 Challenge.

Not just 1 devoted husband in the BBC!... Andy had leapt to the rescue, repaired Jackie’s bike AND driven her to Brewood, her challenge was back on. Also joined by Steve and John, 5 became 8.

A prompt and efficient start at 9.00 am left us in the capable hands of Mr Marsh, who confidently switched, turned and sent us straight over according to directions. Not one wrong turn, well done and thank you Steve.

The route was beautiful, strangely familiar in many places. The odd cheeky hill but nothing too challenging and each one was smoothed away with a nice cup of tea and a cake. Back into Brewood, baked spuds and a brief debate on the anomie of society today. Left us all just desperate to cycle home.

Cyclists today covered between 63, 87 and 100 miles.

Guest riders in the rain...

Steve and Rick joined us on Sunday for what was to be a short but very wet ride. 


Heading for ‘The Tea Pot’ via Tixall, Haywood and Bower Lane, persistent rain turned waterproofs into wetsuits. After lashings of tea and hot chocolate, we climbed up to Pie Green, looped back round to Spring Slade and across to Brocton, up Walton Lane and home to drip dry and enjoy a hot bath.


Fingers crossed for better weather next weeks Brewood Challenge. All riders will be meeting at the Wildwood at 7.00am to cycle to Brewood before enjoying the all new 100K route (no Wrekin & no Ironbridge ) but don’t worry, it promises plenty of hills.


Eunice