It's a record

I counted 18 riders at the start of the BBR. It may have been more .

Jaguare arrived just as we had  started to roll off and announced he had a puncture . As riders were already rolling he was left but Malc D stopped to help him but the rest of us rolled on.

We were going to do the new winter route via Tilley Lane Rushlake Green and Cowbeech.

It was so nice to have the wet roads back after the ice of last week’s BBR.

We had three new riders Celia and two from the US of A ( Gerald and Barbara). Although I did chat briefly to the American lady I did not get as far as names but she had a nice bright blue Trek with disc brakes. I do expect some bright comment on the last sentence.

Double record for the BBR, largest ever number of riders plus three ladies!

Really we should have split the group as this is a large number to keep together but our stand in leaders were Patrick and Peter Baker who had both already warmed up on the Pre Bbr so Peter lead from the front with  Patrick taking up the rear. Apparently these two are sightseeing  in Italy later in the year a mere 800k or was it miles but they have generously given themselves eight days to do it.

We spread out a bit but Peter waited at the turns . By the time we got to Boreham Street Gerald had to bale.Celia was running out of time having really enjoyed the climb to Boreham Street.  Would you believe that Malc and Jaguire caught us by then. Andy was also short of time and one more joined them to ride back. They therefore missed all the best bits of this new ride.

The ride was uneventful but nice not to be cold and worried about sliding.

With a group this size we had no choice other than Chilley farm . Malcolm C had missed a turn somewhere so there were about 15 at the cafe and we got the 25 foot table.  Some good banter when I told them about the indecisive deer that had crossed Tilley lane then changed their mind and crossed  back again to then be told a similar thing had happened to someone with a Squirrel !! . I'm sure he meant Bear.

It took a long time for us all to get served but we got going again and an easy ride back but it was 2 pm by then.

Derek