July 2001

It had to happen sooner or later, a nice wet Sunday that would mean I’ve nothing better to do than write this humble tome. A lot has happened since I last put pen to paper, so you will have to excuse any slips of memory I’m afraid.

Mike & Dani’s run at the end of April was well attended even though the weather tried to catch us out. We ate our butties in a pleasant bit of woodland whilst trying to shelter from the snow! Lunch was followed by a little digestif puncture repair.

As a complete contrast we later enjoyed drinks in the garden of a pub whilst pondering the mysteries of British weather.

Unfortunately we overstayed a bit at the pub and this meant that we were a bit late back to Mike and Dani’s and so were unable to enjoy Dani’s home baking though I believe that Sandra and David helped them out the following evening.

The impromptu run which started from Petes Eats proved rather popular, probably something to do with Petes breakfasts. The day stayed warm and dry as we wound our way through Nantmor to Plas Brondanw gardens, picking up Les and Hazel along the way.

Of course we couldn’t pass through Beddgelert without an ice cream stop!!

We arrived back at Petes just in time for tea and so the inevitable happened and this was a first even for me. Two meals in the same café in one day - unthinkable!!

The trip to Normandy couldn’t have gone more smoothly. We had perfect weather, more like August than June, and fantastic accommodation.

The cycling was sublime and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves in museums, lakes, and French supermarkets.

Evron proved to be a brilliant destination and base so full marks to Les for suggesting it in first place.

The new boulodrome proved to be a real challenge to all and sundry who turned up for the Summer Garden Party. I was personally challenged by controlling a simple BBQ, my apologies if your sausage was a bit charred.

Martin entertained us all merely by disappearing, even during the ad hoc pop quiz presented by your very own Phil Jupitus double!!

Martin fortunately recovered sufficiently to enable him and Julie to catch us up at the next days lunch stop at Glynllifon after which we all successfully ascended the Drws y Coed before returning to Bodawen and attempting to finish that which hadn’t been eaten the night before.

Yet another BBQ and excess of alcohol had to be endured on the camping weekend at Llanbedrog.

We had a great time putting tents, some would call them marquees, up in a gale on the Friday night. Geof casually announced that he hadn’t pitched his since 1996 and we could tell!!

Welcome to new members Mike and Chris Simpkinson who turned up for this meet even though Mike had his leg in plaster. I suspect that Chris had heard of our drinking habits and Mike didn’t have a choice in the matter.

Saturday dawned mediocre but cleared up as we headed to Aberdaron for crab sandwiches and paddling. Some even went swimming!! The bids for this years "best undressed in the outdoors" prize began here!!

Once back at the camp site things started to quite literally hot up, in fact we nearly set the borrowed mess tent on fire, with the lighting of BBQ’s.

Once more we ignored the lessons of the past and ate and drank too much for our own good. It was commented that it was a good job Martin was not around as we would have a bit of a job finding him this time!!

Someone, I think it was Sandra, even instigated party games. Musical chairs with live a-capella music had to be seen and heard to be believed.

Sunday dawned grey which was a good job as the last thing most of us needed was bright light. Pass the Anadin please.

A veritable mass, 25 at last count, descended upon Doreen and Barry Lindsay’s home in Criccieth where we enjoyed a lovingly prepared lunch with plenty of tea and cake for those with space to fill.

We made a little space on the way back to Pwhelli so we could stop at Cadwalladers for ice creams and then a quick sprint back to the camp site and a final dip in the sea before heading for home.

Many thanks to the Coleman family for a superb weekend. We reckon that around 28 members turned up for this meet including Pat and Ken Brown who, of course, cycled there and back. Ken told me they used to do it in a day twenty years ago and they wanted to see if they could still do it, as good an excuse as any.

The first batch of fleece tops were distributed to their proud new owners on the camping weekend. If you still wish to acquire the cycling worlds answer to Coco Chanel’s little black number then get in touch (01286 870653).

FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS

The 29^th of July is Sandra and David’s run from Rhuddlan library car park at 10am. 30 to 35 miles and BPL (bring packed lunch).

As usual no run in August, enjoy yourselves wherever you end up, but be sure not to miss the, by now, traditional ice cream run with Gerald and Sue (01978 310602) on the 9^th September.

Now this may seem a bit previous but we have to start thinking about Christmas Dinner venues. With more than thirty diners it gets so you have to book early.

Following the success of last January’s Youth Hostel meet I’m thinking of doing another. This time we’ll be going to the Peak District, Bretton YH is fave’ at the moment. The reason for planning this early is to get you all thinking about it cos’ this time we should commit to Rent a Hostel. This way we get the hostel to ourselves and we pay a little bit less per head.

Bretton has 18 beds and is close to Eyam, better known as the plague village, so lots to look at in the event of bad weather. It’s also within easy riding distance of the infamous Grindleford caff , Stanage Rocks, and, for the kids, the Donkey Sanctuary at Wormhill..

SEE YOU ALL SOON