12/01/14 0900 – La Taverna.
for our 10th ride we clocked up a very cold ride of around 45 miles. Right from the off the roads were frosty and icy so great care needed to be taken, after an initial start getting caught (typically) in temporary traffic lights most of us were off.
The roads were fine through Ryton, Down to Wylam had a few patches then everything was rideable until just before stocksfield.We had our first casualty of the ice. A rip to the shorts and a scuff to the bike and we were off again.
We took the main road as a diversion to Corbridge as that would probably have been safer for the run and less icy, a long push into Corbridge fragmented the group a little and we eventually met back in Blanchland at the cafe and set off in two groups home after a cuppa. One of the group had to be rescued by car due to aggravating a sports injury from a few days ago. Other than the early ice spill, the ride went with out any major concern.
The first group sped back to La Taverna at quite a pace, although cold managed to increase their average. The back group took their time on the icy roads and realized just how cold it was out there.
a great turn out for such poor weather, and everyone in high spirits and enjoyed defrosting after the ride in La Taverna.. and finally… great views on today’s ride. right on Blaydon’s Doorstep.
A very Icy