The CER annual ride to the Christmas lunch was due to start from The Gallery at Hawarden, but the predicted 65mph winds put paid to that for many members. I was due to lead the ride today but as the winds down at Parkgate were gusting to 45mph, I thought better of it & went back to bed. A number of riders set off from home, were blown back/over/sideways by the gusts and returned from where they came. But the high wind and rain did not stop our two hardiest riders, Ray & Mike G from braving the elements to arrive at The Boat House, Parkgate from Hawarden looking rather bedraggled after only 12 miles: nor indeed Dave H and Roy cycling direct from Chester. All four deserve a medal. 
Photographs by Clive Albany and Bryan Wade
Paul W, Trevor, Steve, Roy, Ray, Mike M, Mike G, Martin, Liz P, Liz D, Jim, Dave M, Dave P, Dave H, Clive, Bryan and I met in the bar for pre-prandial drinks followed by an excellent Christmas lunch. We also had the very, very unusual spectacle of the highest tide for some decades right outside our window; this drew visitors in to watch the residents of the marsh being eaten by the flying predators outside. You can see evidence of the storm’s devastation on Wirral coastal places that we often ride past.
Thank you all for making the job of organising the lunch so painless, by paying your deposits and choosing your menu promptly.
BMac
We'll done Brian. Many thanks for organising such a successful event despite the weather.
ReplyDeleteBrian: Many thanks for organising the event the food was lovely. Thanks also to Bryan for his spare wine. They were able to sustain me on my return home. Arriving at Shotton station I discovered there were no trains running, so I had to cycle back home with a headwind all the way, twice I was nearly blown over. I was able to observe the flooding in Rhyl, which made me feel the situation I was in wasn't so bad. Any ideas of using the coastal cycle track was abandoned as large sections were covered in rocks and shingle. I eventually arrived home in Rhos on Sea just as I'm a Celebrity was beginning, having covered just 70+ miles for the day. Again many thanks.
ReplyDeleteHell's Teeth Mike I thought you and the others were heroes riding to the lunch!! Wonder you didn't get "sectioned" out riding back home in that!!
DeleteGlad you all enjoyed it. My pleasure. Brian
ReplyDeleteA kind comment I received was: "Best Easyriders Christmas Lunch I can remember!! Excellent food, service and company......"
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