New Boots & Panties

Well- after about five years of talking, it seems we're finally going to get new shirts. Well done Mr R for getting off his backside and taking this on.

Of course, this does throw up a number of potential issues- not least of which is the shirt design. Despite being designed by committee, somehow the original shirts turned out pretty well (the odd typo not withstanding- Kieth!) but we did get bogged down with individuals providing their own logos (or not). Whilst not being superstitious, it may be wise to resist that this time round as, with the exception of the Old Sun, none of the businesses featured is still trading. We probably need to keep this fact away from any potential sponsors!

Furthermore, new shirts will mean, for the majority of us, choice and choice brings a need for decisions.
Which of us has not been through the excruciating exercise of getting ready to go out with the "Uvver 'Alf"? We grab whichever jeans and tee shirt are clean (or least dirty) and then sit and wait while they decide what to wear. This can take several hours while they try on the entire wardrobe because a) they have a choice and b) they're worried what everybody else will wear.

Over the years, we've proved that decision making is not our forte. Witness the annual fiasco of agreeing tour dates or even selecting dishes for the Xmas meal. This can take weeks and half of us still forget what we ordered when we get there.

Will we now be ringing around on a Tuesday to see which shirt everybody is going to wear on Thursday? Who will be arbiter? Will anybody who wears the wrong shirt be forced to ride a different route or sit on the other side of the pub? Perhaps we'll have to have separate whips for the ale.

Then there'is the matter of accessories. Again, taking the lead from the Uvver 'Alf, will we not need new shorts and shoes to go with our shirts? If so, remember Mick's recent advice and buy black not red shorts!

There's so much to worry about; I 'd go and contemplate this over a coffee, but I'd have to decide between cappuccino, latte, espresso, Americano............

Fall Out

With the nights drawing in and a decidedly autumnal feel to the weather, we have come to the end of yet another seasons riding. A few of the guys have manged to get out over the weeks since the tour- Mick, Loren & Keith keeping going to the last- but Thursday rides have now finished until April. It's been one of the best summers I can remember, despite the weather. We've had some memorable rides and the club has been rejuvenated by new members and a few returning old faces. It would be good to see even more riders joining us in the spring.

We're planning a ride on 12th December before Christmas dinner at the Jolly Coopers- watch this space for details- and the mountain bikers will continue to ride pretty much every weekend throughout the year. (If you want details email chedge@hotmail.co.uk)

Posts will be less frequent but I'm working on (unreliable) histories of the club & past tours and a review of the season. The odd MTB review will be thrown in for good measure so please keep visiting the site and don't forget to have a look at some of our advertisers.