23/06/13 OTB - 1.10pm

The title of this OFB will become clear at the end of the report. On a damp and drizzly morning Le Patron (Al), Rocket (Mark), Chris, Ronnie (after a short delay to go and get his winter bike due to free hub shenanigans), Tudor, Tudor’s mate James and the Lantern (Ian - brother The Candle resting following an impressive 70 mile trek the previous day) gathered outside Al’s for a trip to Maesbury picking up Matinee (Paul) and Craig on the way. But where was Vino? Unbelievably following his ripping of Copout Coppi the previous weekend Vino had cried off due to the drizzle. He was immediately rechristened “No-show” Jones! When contacted for a comment the aforementioned Copout said “Don’t mention decorating having to do each wall three times” - no I didn’t understand either! The peleton stayed together to Oswestry and then splintered on the climb towards Treflach with an unusually subdued Patron and the Lantern sliding off the back. Debutant James easily keeping pace with the main peleton on the first climb of the day. Thankfully the main bunch waited at the foot of Blodwell as Patron had remembered the bridge on the way to Llanymynech was closed so the group headed down to the X-roads at Lyncwys. At this point Craig, following his 70 mile jaunt the previous day with the Candle opted to go straight to the café. The main group then headed down the main road towards Llanymynech. Again Patron made his own pace with Lantern along for the ride. At the front Ronnie put the hammer down on the incline up through Pant. Pausing to look round and assess things he was surprised to see James sat on his wheel looking fresh as a daisy. Ron redoubled his efforts before James and Matinee took turns on the front. Tudor then blew the bunch apart by taking the pace up to an impressive thirty mph (which is faster than any car he’s sold ever managed!!!). After a refuel and a chance to dry out (slightly) at Maesbury the group headed back towards Gobowen. Tudor again flexing his muscles with a long pull on the notoriously draggy road from Whittington to Gobowen before James and Ron also dragged the bunch along. No fractures this time and the group barrelled down to Western Rhyn where Craig and Matinee peeled off and the rest of the bunch headed round the back of Chirk. The short pull up to the castle was enough for Tudor to put daylight between himself and Chris and the Rocket with the Lantern (yes I was surprised as well!) close behind. Tudor managed to hold his gap all the way home despite Chris and Mark’s best efforts with the Lantern trailing in next followed by Ron and Patron rounding things off shortly after (James having gone straight home presumably unaware of the lure of Al‘s café at the end of each ride). It was agreed by all that James’ debut had been suitably impressive and only mileage had done for him in the end and everyone said they were knackered. As always another great if slightly damp day out with the boys so a big thank you to everyone for making each ride such great fun!! The title? Well at 1.10pm Ron arrived back at Patron’s and said “ I could see the Lantern ahead of me but I couldn’t catch him”. Now I know he was on his winter bike but it still counts - that’s going on my headstone that is!!!!! Probably missing for a couple of weeks now boys as off to get some sun in Spain hopefully so go easy when I get back (fat chance!!).