“Zero percent”, that’s what my BBC app said when I looked at the chance of rain this morning but at 07.00 hrs the sky looked decidedly cloudy, even a bit black! So I checked my other weather app, The Met Office and it was showing less than 5% chance so I decided to put on my biking jeans and put my leggings in my top box. 

I’d actually set my alarm for 06.15 but it went off at 06.05 when it was still quite dark. I’m never normally up at this time so it was all new to me! Anyway, off I went to Marstons to meet up for the breakfast run, a slightly different format this year as we were eating out at the Canalside Café (also known as the Kingfisher Café) at Fradley junction. 

At just after 08.00 Vic, our leader called us all to tell us we’d be using the drop of system and the run would be just over 30 miles. By 08.15 the last few stragglers arrived, tanks eventually full of Super Unleaded and ready to go. 

Vic led us up the Henhurst towards Five Lane Ends then Six Lane Ends and off towards Newborough.  From here we dropped down into Abbots Bromley where we had to negotiate a push bike trial. Incidentally I’d not realised till today that push bikes have priority at traffic calming bollards in both directions regardless of other traffic!  On towards Uttoxeter then left towards Newton and Hixon before entering the A51 through Wolseley  Bridge, towards Rugeley, Armitage, Curborough and finally Fradley Junction.   At this point I must thank Vic for an excellent route as he had it somewhat dropped on him last minute. 

Breakfast was served at the café where we’d been allocated all the outside patio area.  In the event of rain we’d have been inside. Everyone seemed to enjoy their breakfast and even the sun made an appearance so it seems that this firs, new style breakfast run was a success. 

So, thanks to Vic for leading, Mick Waterfield as tail man on his BMW and everybody that attended. I counted 17 bikes in the car park and not forgetting Bill and June Shackleford who met us at Fradley in their Morris Minor Traveller. It was an excellent ride and once again it never rained. John Earp