On Tuesday the 13th of December, the Wild Bunch set out on the weekly wrinkly ride from Joe's house for the inaugural Xmas lunch at he Green Man at Marholm. . . . .

These  rides are often eventful and humorous and this one proved to be no exception.
 
As the intrepid group set off, John Savill brought proceedings to an abrupt halt by a rear wheel puncture, no more than 10 yards from my front door. After wrecking to tyre levers, we eventually replaced the inner tube only to suffer a pinch flat. We solved the problem by lending him a spare rear wheel, eventually hitting the road 30 minutes late.
 
We were further delayed by the first of Dave's 'comfort' stops as we approached Peakirk. The rides are often punctuated by such necessary pauses by every member if the group at some time or another, Annette being the only exception to this rule. As the seven riders organised themselves into a well drilled, smooth moving TT machine into the teeth of a ferocious 13mph wind, considerable progress was made through Northborough, Maxey, Barnack and Ufford.
 
Having scaled the hill in a disjointed rabble, the peleton quickly re-grouped to form a determined bunch on the final leg to the tavern. I deemed it prudent to dispatch Annette ahead to carry straight on the main road to Marholm to secure tables and seating, whilst the rest of us turned left down Hillywood road, right into Broadwheel Road into Helpston, before turning right again to tackle the fearsome climb of the Heath road.
 
As we hit the early gradient of about 3%, Dave began to move backwards. With Steve and Richard setting an infernal pace, Gordon and I manfully trying to hold their wheels. It fell to John to drop back and guide Dave up the final steep part of the climb (6%) . Steve and Richard reached the cross road first; Gordon and I were 100 yards behind when we noticed that Dave and John were nowhere to be seen. We waited for several minutes and with no sign of them, feared the worst. We assumed the severity of the gradient had taken it's toll on Dave. Gordon decided to go back down the hill to investigate. I stayed put. Still no sign of them. When Steve came down, I joined him in the search and found them in a bemused state about halfway down the hill.
 
I appears that owing to my oversight in not informing them that Annette had gone ahead, Dave and John had become alarmed at her absence, and had ridden all the way down the hill into Helpston, and then riding all the way back up to inform us that some terrible fate must have befallen her. I don't think I managed to convince Dave that it all went to help to improve his general fitness and that he would thank me in the years to come. I'm told the swelling in my groin region will subside in time with no permanent damage.
 
With Richard and Annette getting the drinks in and securing accommodation, we settled down to a convivial lunch during which we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by John Broughton who was there for family reasons.
 
The only other incident of note as we wend our way back to my house for coffee and biscuits, occurred on the cycle path over the railway bridge adjacent to the Brotherhood roundabout. As we approached the sharp dog-leg right, necessitating the lowest gear available, I was out of the saddle and away, with a view to getting home to put the kettle on. I was only faintly aware of a mild disturbance behind me as I crested the brow and plunged down to Lincoln Rd and home. It is alleged that as I had reached the apex of the sharp bend, Dave had tried a tricky overtaking manoeuvre on my inside, reminiscent of his glorious road racing days. It only resulted in his becoming over familiar with metal railings and a sharp brambly hedge. He assured me that the minor abrasions and small tears in the sleeve of his winter jacket were of no consequence, and that all things come to those who wait!
 
After coffee, tea and biscuits, we parted company vowing to repeat the whole enjoyable experience next Tuesday. Vive les wrinkly rouleurs.
 
Pictured from left to right: Steve Brooks, Gordon Marsh, Dave Stanbridge, Richard Roach, Annette Ippolito, John Savill, Joe Ippolito/John Broughton 

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