CTC Cambridge

Thursday 21 December 2023 

Greg reports: "It's just so embarrassing", writes Russell, being made to pose in front of some lame Christmas Tree.

"Stop acting up", commanded Greg to his recalcitrant steed. Can a bike behave like a teenager? Russell had decided to go all huffy as he insisted in being in charge of writing a ride report for the Solstice Shenanigans. So here goes – a blog post written by a bike!

Russell, at the start in Haslingfield

First along was Micky, Phil's rather swanky and clean winter ride. I call it Micky because he is, er, "Taking the P". At least there were two of us so now we'd have a ride out even though the weather was decidedly against us: a drizzly and fierce Nor' wester lay ahead.

Mickey

After some further moments of posing we were eventually joined by Rudolph, with Nick on board (festive name here – geddit?) Unfortunately Rudolph was suffering similar indignities to me as Nick had dressed him overall in Xmas baubles. Really, can't these people just oil us, clean us and respect us? Perhaps we need a BLM campaign – Bike Lives Matter...

Rudolph

Whilst I sulked with Rudolph and Micky, along purred Eva. Who? Yes Eva – Eddy's electric bike – Eva Eddy – battery powered (yes the naming protocol is a little tenuous at times....just say both names together quickly).

Our select group was completed by Susan aboard Oates.....since she is simply going on a Trek (tho' with a better outcome, one hopes!) We duly set off with myself in the lead. This seemed a bad idea as my engine (Greg) was huffing and puffing as we laboured into the wind – gusting up to healthy 41 mph apparently and bang on the front light!

HW

At Bourn we espied some old friends bearing Adrian, Mike and Averil and gave a hearty 'Hi' as we went by.

As we laboured on the long haul up to Great Gransden it was clear that we were in a Bet365 moment – 'When the fun stops, Stop'. Instead of the advertised Abbotsley loop a command decision was taken to head direct to Waresley. This turned out to be fortuitous since we were soon joined by the City Slickers. The convoy was now significantly enlarged as we all arrived at the garden centre at the same time.

For some attention-gaining reason that is beyond me I have to suffer the humiliation of being alarmed when locked up – a piercing screech telling all that the alarm is set. No other bike suffers this indignity but if it amuses 'The Old Man' I guess I will have to endure. Alarm set they all went indoors for coffee – glad that the venue was well able to cater for circa 20 arrivals all at once – some had ridden but others had come for the 'Seasonal Craic'.

Queueing

Seasonal craic

Meanwhile we had a conflab outside. We decided that Susan had been banging on all morning about how Oates had a fine set of new tyres. Oates was less enamoured of these – he felt them a little tight and they required stretching. Thus it was that we engineered a puncture for her to discover when they came out from coffee. As is common amongst these guys there was much earnest advice giving and looking on – whilst Mick C did all the work. Where Susan had fought and struggled to deal with the tyres his well-practiced mechanics fingers were able to do the job in no time.

Quick Tyre Change

We were soon all inflated and back on the road. And what a wizz we had. Now we know why Eva has such a smug look since this was like being turbo boosted for the rest of us! The howling gale was now a gentle aide – driving us back in record time and the sun even made an appearance – Happy Days! So it was that we took our owners out for a morning in the fresh air. I only hope they use the Xmas break to remove any unnecessary decorations (looking at you Nick!) and give us all a good clean and oil up (get to it Greg!)

Greg