Fuelling is everything

Mr CP came in non lycra to the Chapel on Saturday, we were all most upset not to see the latest bike purchase but provided we clean the roads and order no rain, he might bring it to show us soon. So the real riders headed out to Somerton and onto Langport, pleasantly surprised at the lack of flooding, to reach a very high River Parrett and the delightful Bridge Bakery and Canteen by it’s banks, just over the bridge and on the left on our way out of Langport. Very hospitable staff, super speedy service and we might just have picked up a new recruit there too. All that and a long bench table in front of a massive window overlooking the river and our muddy wheels - what’s not to like. Dr L and Mr TW had to shoot home for the puppy, allowing Mr SI to lead Mr PT and Mr KL astray on the lanes through to Mulcheny and Long Sutton. But we all ended up heading home through the longer than usual flooding at Bridgehampton by the end of Yeovilton - well the bikes needed a wash anyway.

Sunday was drier, thankfully, for the 6 who met on the bridge. Usual Chaingang route out to Glasto, then main road to Wedmore and up to Cheddar; MsJPs first climb of the infamous gorge, and Mr KLs first in 20yrs or so. At the top we headed DOWN Glider Hill, fast, and along to the climb up Ebbor Gorge, just to check the legs were completely empty. We rolled into the Priddy Good Farm Shop at 12.15pm only to find service had finished, so turned tail quickly onto Wells via the Old Bristol Road, and straight to Loaf - bacon sarnies all round, some cakes to finish the refuel and caffeine of course. Not sure if we overfuelled though as the climb over Stickleball seemed particularly tough on the way home. An excellent ride, chapeaux to Ms JP, Mr KL, Mr DC, Mr Trims and Mr TW (oh and me!)