Boxing Day having been so misty and cold, some members thought that the 27th would have to be better and met at Maisemore Bridge for an impromptu ride. Unfortunately it wasn’t! Being less misty but more cold didn’t put them off the plan to try an unfamiliar cafe so they set off north on a route carefully planned to stay clear of flood water, for some riders had electrically powered gears; one even had an electrically powered bike! Familiar roads to Gadfield Elm and Pendock then less familiar (or did they just look different in the mist?) ones to Berrow and Birtsmorton. The cold detered two from continuing through the Longdon Marshes. They made a beeline over Rye Cross to Hollybush and the cafe. Another followed, having paused to say adieu to his son and lost sight of the main group in doing so. Pity he didn’t leave the puncture kit with his son though, for he punctured at Pendock and had to call for back up. An appointment with the picture house swept another away and three more baulked at the sight of the Marlbank Road up to the Malvern Hills. So it was that the final two arrived at Marlbury Café and found a table reserved for them by their clubmates, already enjoying bacon bagettes from the “Chef’s Day Off” menu.
A swift run home through Dymock and Newent followed, the only stop being for a gentleman’s comfort break at a gated field entrance. Too late the gentleman saw the sign warning of site monitoring by CCTV!
Thanks to the Vice Captain for inspiring us all.
MT