Re: Sunday Ride 30 December 2012

[ValleyMan]

Mr and Mrs ValleyMan were fashionably late as usual, but were greeted by an unusual and unexpectedly large turnout. The ‘off’ was delayed unnecessarily as I had to fend off a number of frankly puerile comments, rather than address the matter in hand – a rather flaccid back tire.

The line-up included Andrew ‘Too busy to cycle/get a proper job/ButcherBoy’ Rees, Roger, Flapjack (released by the Environment Agency from his very important job of pointing out the blindingly obvious), Morganite on his new steed, Gary in his customary winter get up of shorts…, new recruit Pete from Ludchurch, Jonathan, Smurf and Nigel Bev.

The route masterminded by Huw took us to a pre-planned café stop in Tenby via Crosshands, Creswell Quay, Carew, Milton Hill and Pembroke Castle. Along the way we gained two, Nick Brown and Dan at Martletwy and lost one, Smurf who had apparently lost his computer. My excuse for not waiting for him was that I had not even noticed he was at Bloomfield (distracted by tire etc.) and so how could I have realised he had gone? Not sure what the other 11 excuses were…

We were honoured once more to be joined by Nick; this was his second successive club ride (despite his presence on Thursday, the turnout for the ride was pitiful, just 4 of us, but improved significantly at the Ivy Bush that evening). As Nick hove into view, there was a clattering of gears as everyone changed down to up their cadence. Roger was on the point of unclipping one leg and Gary had to be restrained from leaping off his bike to perform The Plank.

As we climbed up from the Quay, it was clear that Huw was suffering on his super slick LOOK 675. The frame might well have been light and stiff, but came with a standard Shimano groupset. The extra effort required to manually change gear was taking its toll.

As we headed along Lower Lamphey Road we came across the Aces Sunday ride, all two of them. It appears they have developed a collective form of agoraphobia that keeps them locked away in the Bowling Club on Sundays.

Flapjack, with his insider knowledge, was taking no chances and turned up with balloon tires that I understand he got at a good price from NASA when they wound down the moon buggy programme.

In what is becoming a worrying trend, we managed to stay together for the most part. However, there is always an exception and we were treated to the rather unedifying and juvenile sight of Roger trying to race Nick up several hills. Roger’s principle tactic appeared to be to try and force an overtaking Nick into the path of the oncoming traffic. However, there were no surprises at the eventual outcome; ‘at least he is used to coming second’ muttered Andrew.

Nick left us at Penally to a sigh of relief as we all relaxed and dropped back to a sub 100 cadence. However, top student Dan continued to spin his legs like the Road Runner; in the developing gloom, the high vis stripes on his leggings began to resemble a Catherine Wheel.

As we rolled into Tenby and down to Dennis’ Café on South Beach the heavens opened. Proprietor Mike kindly let us put the bikes in his back shed before forming an orderly queue for teas, coffees, teacakes and a beefburger (you know who you are). Andrew’s scowl only lifted when we decided it was probably time to head off back to Narberth.

There was a parting of the ways at Kilgetty as Flapjack and Jonathan headed straight back up the main road and we continued to Stepaside then up the interminable drag to Ludchurch. By the time the back markers got to Lord and Lady Rees’ Palace, Andrew was nowhere to be seen, so off we went to Narberth.

There was a final splintering of the now depleted peloton at Princes Gate with the Valley Road contingent turning left, Roger right and the remainder straight on.

All in all a very enjoyable group ride. 41 miles covered at an average of 12.6mph. Let’s see if this enthusiasm will be sustained into the New Year.