The Trolley Shelter Run

Sunday 6th April 2008

Riding into thick snow for the 25 mile trip to Winnall this morning was not much fun, I am sure Clive was thinking the same as he pulled into the trolley shelter minutes later. By then, most of the usual suspects have been in touch by leaving voice mails and text messages with tales of thick snow at their areas. Baldrick had even offered to bring the Landrover and his 2 bike trailer along to take us home ... and for a minute this did look like a feasible option too. The day had all the hallmarks for breaking one of our proudest records which stood for 5 years, i.e. the Thames Valley Group monthly Social Ride takes place whatever the weather. No doubt about it, discretion was the better part of valour and after a brief discussion we decided to gingerly head back for home. Don't get me wrong, the discussion was not about whether the ride should go on or not - no chance of that one happening - but whether we should wait a while before we set off, call the cavalry to take us home, run to the Tesco Cafe for a hot drink and some food or ride to Whiteley, put Clive's bike in my garage and drive him home in my Landrover. We could not even find another person there - this never happened before even in torrential rain - to take a photo of both of us huddled in the trolley shelter. As you all know these kind of photos have become a bit of tradition on wet rides. So we did the best we can for posterity and set off for the return trip. The third lane on the motorway was mostly under 2-3 inches of snow and in the other two lanes it was turning into a slippery slush but we both made it home in one piece to fight another day. Clive, for your efforts in turning up despite the foulest of conditions, you have been awarded life membership of the usual suspects club and we all look forward to a re-run of the Exmoor run sometime later in the year.