September 2002

THE WAFFLE !!

The last days of Summer have been remarkably fine but there is no doubting the chill in the air once the sun descends and once again I’m forced to wonder where the time went.

Last years Christmas dinner seems like only yesterday and we’re already organising the next one! But more of that later.

The club journal is improving slowly and is beginning to spawn some laughable skits on the website discussion board. Some wisecrack enquired as to the significance of the four oven-ready chickens hanging off the tandem on the cover of the latest edition.

If you don’t know what we’re talking about go and look now.

The matter didn’t end there as a respondent went into a detailed explanation of the annual tandem ‘chicken run’ and how they were planning a vegetarian option!!

If the Journal continues to prompt such reaction then perhaps that isn’t such a bad thing.

RUN SHEET UPDATE

On Sunday 10th October David and Sandra Price will be leading us on a run to Llangernyw. Meet at Eirias Park for 10.30 departure. Lunch will be taken at the Stag Public House in Llangernyw.

Mike and Dani Wheatley have moved their run to Sunday the 17th of November. Meet at their place for 10am with lunch at the Pen Y Bryn in Upper Colwyn Bay, apparently there is a picnic site nearby for self-caterers.

CHRISTMAS DINNER AND PRIZE GIVING

The venue for this years lunchtime soiree is The Saracen’s Head Travel Inn, Cerrigydrudion. The booking form is with this newsletter so please complete it and return to us ASAP and we can let the venue know exact numbers well in advance. Closing date is the 17th of November. There will be a run before hand, probably in the direction of Llyn Brenig, and we shall sit down at 1pm prompt.

All this means it’s time, once more, to get your nominations in for the, now customary, post dinner prize giving. You can nominate anyone within the club for anything you like, bearing in mind that there will be minors present at the presentations! Please contact yours truly with your nominations or feel free to surprise one and all on the day.

OTHER NEWS

SLAIDBURN Y.H. is filling steadily so please get your deposit to me if you want a bed rather than a bit of lawn!!

LLANBERIS Y.H. is the venue for the national New Year meet. We are in the process of devising and writing route sheets with Alan and Jean. It would be great if we could show concerted support for this event. Watch this space.

RUNS REPORTS

WHAT YOU’VE MISSED - By Luke Stevenson

The impromptu run in August dawned decidedly grey and damp though this did not deter the usual suspects who appeared through the murk to sally forth.

Clare sported her new Velo brolly which gave the whole venture a very empire feel. Indeed the ascent and descent to Cwm Penanner in worsening rain brought to mind tales of the great gamers and the Khyber Pass.

Having failed to find any signs of ‘The Devils in Skirts’ or ‘Bungitin of the Burpas’ the girls decided to make their own entertainment by playing sardines in a phone box. The menfolk stood outside in the rain!!

The rain had stopped by the time we reached Bala for a leisurely refuelling stop. Much tea, toasties, and buns later we tackled the road up to Arenig, the rain still holding off. At this point Les and Hazel headed for home, the temptations of cycling on Eurosport too great to resist.

We had plenty of time to relax at the Pont yr Afon Gam cafe. The young couple running this establishment are ripe for a time and motion study.

Unfortunately, our rear tyre had also decided to relax. I tried resus’ in a bid get us over the final few miles but we had gone beyond that stage and emergency surgery was the only recourse. Were we going to miss the Chocolate House yet again?

Gloves were donned, the patient laid down and, with the smell of chocolate gently wafting, a rapid innertubectomy performed.

We did reach the hallowed hall of Choccy in time and parted with extortionate amounts of money for hot choccy and cake. Expense aside it was a fitting end to a very pleasant day out.

Vyrnwy - The Support Ride - By Mark Whitehouse

After several attempts, Clare and I finally led a run where the sun shone all day.

Luke and Becky joined us for the ride from Corwen to Lake Vyrnwy to meet up with the main ride being led by the Lewis’.

The ride to the summit of the Milltir Cerrig is a bit of a slog so we cheated and took a rough track from Llandrillo, which gave us lovely views of the Berwyns.

The rapid descent to Llangynog for a cake stop was followed by a few more undulations to Lake Vyrnwy.

We joined the main group, the Lewis’, Jo and Mark on solos, Chris and Mike, and the Philips family on there first club run, for lunch at Mandy’s tea shop.

Lunch was leisurely and quite riotous, so no change there then.

Rhiannon led us off for yet another circuit of the lake, her legs a blur on her very own solo cycle, with occasional assistance from Graemes’ helping hand (literally).

We left the group, continuing around the lake, whilst we climbed the Hirnant with buzzards for company. This road was relatively free of traffic so we had an unhindered descent to Rhos - Y - Gwaliau and on to Llandderfel for yet more cakes!

More pleasant lanes along the upper Dee brought us back to Corwen.

Many thanks to the Lewis’ for inviting us to join their ride.