I'd been having a laugh painting this little Gnome, and thought he would make the ideal "Pin Up" for our Christmas Ride, so came up with these 3 posters for each of the Champs to use for their Rides. We were allowing for around 24 riders but unfortunately this year, several of our regular riders were unable to join in due to other Friday commitments, or, sadly colds, and Covid. (it's not gone away 😞) But we managed a lovely group of 14 today, setting off in the 3 groups.
After some bitterly cold and also wet days recently, we were very grateful for sunshine and 8 degrees. Each ride was around 25 miles.
JILL SET OUT FROM FBC
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| Kim, Jill, Claire, Hazel H at FBC. |
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| They stopped of at Hurst Pond |
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| Angels and other festive figures by the pond. |
SUE AND HAZEL SET OUT FROM CANTLEY
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| Hazel, Amy, Sue and Amanda T |
ANNE SET OUT FROM WOOSEHILL
I was on the look out for Christmas Decorations, and spotted this pretty Wreath just opposite the pond in Shurlock Row.
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| Photo by Jill of Anne's group arriving at Dinton. |
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| Photo by Hazel H. |
We arrived at the cafe just after 11 to find Champs Sue and Hazel Adams already there with their group which was Amy and Amanda T. I had walked to Dinton in freezing weather last weekend, and asked the cafe to reserve us a table. They don't book tables but I had phoned to confirm our numbers this morning, in the hope that they might oblige. Sue sorted some tables together anyway. (Plenty of seating outdoors!)
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| Amanda O |
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| Photo by Amanda O |
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Sandra had pinched her husband's Xmas jumper and
poked some light through. Looks great. |
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Lynne, Hazel A and Sue. Hazel had to dash off soon after this so missed our whole
group shot outdoors unfortunately. |
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| Lots of chat of course. We were quite noisy! |
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| Amy, Martina, Gill, Claire |
Then outdoors for a saddlecam selfie shot by the lake.
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Claire, Kim, Hazel H, Amy, Sue, Jill, Amanda T, Gill, Sandra, Amanda o
Lynne, Martina, Anne. |
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| After 3,2,1! |
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| Time to head for home. |
Jill headed off for FBC with her group. My ride was just back to Woosehill, but it was such a nice day that I decided to ride a bit further with Sue, since she had planned to cycle to Shurlock Row before heading home. Some ladies headed home or to do some shopping, but Martina, Amanda O and myself joined Sue and Amy for a few extra miles.
We rode much of what we had already done but in a different direction. All good until we got to the pond at Shurlock Row. Martina had a flat. 😞 It was well down, but she decided to pump some air in to see if she could limp home. It worked, for about a mile, infact having ridden with her for quite a few years now, I have never seen her move so fast. 😂💨💨💨
We pulled over again on The Straight Mile and I suggested the rest of them just carry on, and I would stay with Martina. More air. We also discovered that her spare inner tube was completely the wrong size, so now she knows to get another one. Another 2 miles before we stopped in the Hurst Lanes.
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| 3rd lot of air... would she make it home? |
That was enough to get her over the motorways and back home to Woosehill. Phew.
Thanks to all the Champs and riders who joined the Rides today. It was good fun. So nice to see you particularly those I don't see so often. There will still be a handful of rides this month, (weather permitting) but for those not out again, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and Healthy and Happy New Year.
