England : Berkshire The Exurbia Boozer ride ..... 4th FEB 2017, Final details and roll call....

[srw]

The hundred-yard stares were in evidence in the first photos of the day. I have mental images now of six-hundred yard stares.

Meanwhile we've knocked off a rather nice bottle of Douro with today's Ottolenghi, and we've just cracked open the Christmas Highland Park. I won't tell you what I've been reading because I'll get slaughtered for it.

I trust the lack of posts about the day itself is simply reflective of better things to do rather than any disappointment.

 

[Aperitif]

The hundred-yard stares were in evidence in the first photos of the day. I have mental images now of six-hundred yard stares.

Meanwhile we've knocked off a rather nice bottle of Douro with today's Ottolenghi, and we've just cracked open the Christmas Highland Park. I won't tell you what I've been reading because I'll get slaughtered for it.

I trust the lack of posts about the day itself is simply reflective of better things to do rather than any disappointment.

The Guardian is such a heap of crap these days that I don't even miss Ottolenghi or all the other twee stuff. It is a dead paper IMHO. Even Private Eye has taken to spelling the title correctly. Don't worry about reading a Lee Child/ Jack Reacher book though S - well executed writing - to match the characters!
Hope everyone had a lovely ride and the ride leader led well. Sombre faces abound in the photos.

 

[robjh]

Hope everyone had a lovely ride and the ride leader led well. Sombre faces abound in the photos.

Yes we do look a bit sombre in some of the pictures, but rest assured it didn't feel like that at the time. A really fun time was had, even if nightfall did catch us only 3/4 of the way around the ride. Beer drinking can take soooo long.

 

[Pale Rider]

The weather was a bit sombre up here for sitting out.

 

[marknotgeorge]

It started to rain just as we left the station to go our separate ways. Thanks to Kevin for organising it, and thanks to everyone else for the support and patience when I crapped out on just about every incline. I will practice for next time, promise!

 

[EltonFrog]

It was a lovely four hours (for me) I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was lovely to meet everyone. Thanks Kevin for organising the ride.

 

[theclaud]

The hundred-yard stares were in evidence in the first photos of the day. I have mental images now of six-hundred yard stares.

Meanwhile we've knocked off a rather nice bottle of Douro with today's Ottolenghi, and we've just cracked open the Christmas Highland Park. I won't tell you what I've been reading because I'll get slaughtered for it.

I trust the lack of posts about the day itself is simply reflective of better things to do rather than any disappointment.

'Today's Ottolenghi'! Off the middle-class scale!

 

[Pale Rider]

'Today's Ottolenghi'! Off the middle-class scale!

I thought it was a new shape of pasta he got from Waitrose.

 

[Fab Foodie]

 

[Fab Foodie]

Home, knackered, happy!

Thanks all for coming out on this madcap scheme. A great way to celebrate ones birthday'

The weather was fabulous, the scenery good, the company great and the ale bounteous. What more could a 54 y/o want!



Answers on a postcard....

 

[hopless500]

@Fab Foodie - can we have some names with the pics. I recognise a few but not all. Ta

 

[EltonFrog]

@Fab Foodie - can we have some names with the pics. I recognise a few but not all. Ta

In the photo where we are all seated outside.

On left with backs towards us are Peter and Phil from Abingdon Wheelers, facing them are @robjh on the left and @marknotgeorge next to him, me in the middle, @StuAff @User21629 @theclaud .

Phil, Stuaff, Robjh, theClaud,Peter, OMG, Fabfoodie, MarknotGeorge.

 

[hopless500]

In the photo where we are all seated outside.

On left with backs towards us are Peter and Phil from Abingdon Wheelers, facing them are @robjh on the left and @marknotgeorge next to him, me in the middle, @StuAff @User21629 @theclaud .

View attachment 336241

View attachment 336242
Phil, Stuaff, Robjh, theClaud,Peter, OMG, Fabfoodie, MarknotGeorge.

Thanks
I guessed which one was you correctly!

 

[srw]

'Today's Ottolenghi'! Off the middle-class scale!

...while listening to Mozart and reading the Review section of the Guardian. And telling little Tarquin to stop playing with his quinoa otherwise he'd go to bed without his camomile tea.

Enough about me. I couldn't enjoy the ride in person - what was it like?

 

[theclaud]

...while listening to Mozart and reading the Review section of the Guardian. And telling little Tarquin to stop playing with his quinoa otherwise he'd go to bed without his camomile tea.

Enough about me. I couldn't enjoy the ride in person - what was it like?

It was great. Sunny and warm and full of friends and booze. We were over optimistic about the amount of boozers we could fit in and still make it back before we turned into pumpkins, so we are saving some of them for another day, which with luck you will be able to make in person. It was a kill or cure ride for me - I've been off the bike for a fortnight with a post-lurgy chest infection I can't shake off. I was advised against riding by various non-cyclists. Anyway I reckon it did me good, even if I did have to get off and walk on one of the hills that Foodie had promised wasn't going to be there.