Words by Chris P , Pics by Simon, Edits by Pete
Crew: Dr S, Phil, Dunc, Butty, Lee, El pres
Weather: started warm, but soon turned cold.
In The Castle : Alex ‘Brompton boy’ Strickland and the McDermott brothers.
Route: Phil’s original plan was upto cat, danebower, chumby, forest. But on reaching the Cat the advanced party received a distress signal. Someone who shall remain nameless, but who had been on his knees all day installing underfloor heating, was struggling with the ascent and was going to turn back and head straight to the forest. As Pete wasn’t there to urge us to fcuk ‘im, the team rejoined their fallen comrade, and did a shortened route through the forest. Good decision as by this point the weather was windy and cold with a capital F.
Butty took control in the forest and led us down some impossible mud slides, and 3 offs ensured, Dr S sustaining a sprained thumb.
Notes: Interesting bike storage at the castle, had us manoeuvring around building sites, cars, steps and broken sofas to get to the beer garden. Alex ones on his first bike ride to a TNR gathering since his shoulder injury. He sensibly brought his fold up Brompton, a TNR first i believe. Castle staff extremely welcoming and helpful, food and beer fantastic. A TNR first, but not last. There was an old fashioned ‘bar is closing bell’ rung at 11, and a last orders bell ten mins before. A consideration for future visits!
Notable discussions : Butty’s promotion, Pete Mcdermott’s musical skills, the Donald, Dr S and Phil’s houses, prostates, bossy children. Despite Butty’s kind offer to spend his pay rise on an AoE, we called it 3 pints good and headed for home.