Unfortunately, the weather forecast for tomorrow morning is consistently wet and windy.
So, to avoid anyone turning up and finding themselves lonely, I think it better to cancel the group ride tomorrow at this point.
Fingers crossed for next week.
There is a question mark over the weather, but in case the weather isn't too bad, here is the proposed route for this Saturday's club group ride. If the weather is bad, i.e. raining and windy, feel free to bail.
Meet up at 8:30am, outside Priory School.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3025893677172149548?v2=true
Unfortunately, although the weather may be passable, there won't be a café stop this Sunday. I've checked the usual café stops and they all seem to be closed on New Years day.
Meet up at 9am, outside Priory School.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3043585423652067718
Unfortunately, the weather forecast is not too good for this Saturday morning.
But, providing it's not hosing down at the appointed start time, we may be on for a club ride. However, I won't be offended if it is, in fact, raining the proverbial 'cats and dogs' if no one turns up. This is, after all, not supposed to be a hard core cycling event. Personally, it's not about getting wet, it's about group safety.
So, trying to be positive, here is the proposed route should the weather be favourable. Meet up at 8:30am, outside Priory School. I have ridden most of this route recently, and it is mostly not particularly muddy. Although, at this time of year, who knows by Saturday.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3025893677172149548
Incorporating the Sweets "Mince Pie Run"
As there won't be any Sunday club ride this week, I thought we could try a slightly longer, but incredibly flat, Saturday club ride this week, to take advantage of a free mince pie (with a purchased drink), at the every popular 'Sweets Tea Rooms'
Feel free to get into the spirit of Christmas with whatever appropriate cycleware and lighting scheme you fancy. You don't get many chances to wear that elf cycling jersey you bought that sale some years ago, with or without tinsel accessories.
Currently, the weather forecast is dry with some breeze from the south west; which I'm hoping will be giving us a push home.
If there was a unanimous agreement, I do have a similar length, but lumpier, return route. If there are enough people turn up, we could always split the groups for the less/more lumpier alternatives.
As usual, meet up at 8:30am, outside Priory school
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Here is the proposed, flatter, route -
https://www.strava.com/routes/3035809702991375234
And the alternative with lumpier return -
https://www.strava.com/routes/3033654155510909708
With an eye on the weather, and more specifically the risk of ice, here is the proposed route for this week's Saturday club group ride. Unfortunately, if the road conditions are on the sketchy side, on the day, then we may need to cancel the ride.
Meet up at 8:30am, outside Priory School.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3025893677172149548
Here is the proposed route for this week's Sunday club group ride. With the possibility of mist/fog for Sunday morning, we'll keep to the usually better, quieter, roads this week. Not particularly warm, but it is December.
Meet up at 9am, outside Priory school.
If I were to suggest some practical advice, it would be layers and lights.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3013353760117633434
Café stop week. Our choice of venue is limited at this time of year, but fortunately, Rich's is a good choice.
The weather is forecast to be on the chilly side, but no fog or precipitation is forecast with only a light breeze. Layer up and we'll be good.
Meet up at 8:30am, outside Priory School.
N.B. I'm planning a ride for two weeks time - Christmas Eve - to do the traditional 'Mince Pie Run' down to Sweets (free mince pie with bought coffee). This will be slightly longer than the usual Saturday ride, but as a bonus, we can accumulate some calorie credit for our Christmas indulgences!
https://www.strava.com/routes/3035804469649787232
Here is the proposed route for this Sunday's club group ride. I've tried to avoid potential muddy sections, given the amount of rain we've had recently. I'm not aware of any on this particular route, but there are a number of roadworks that have sprung up recently, so there's the potential of a small possibility of a deviation from the planned route - as is often the case.
Meet up at 9am, outside Priory School
https://www.strava.com/routes/3033656369135706352
Here is the proposed route for this Saturday's club group ride.
Meet up at 8:30am, outside Priory School.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3005588745652898020