It doesn’t always go to plan!

So, Wednesday is codgers and dodgers' day. The day when an eclectic bunch of riders (men and women) set off for 40 mile jaunts to quaint cafes. We prefer routes avoiding the main rides and so tend to wind our way through lanes and pass through pretty villages.

Pelsall is a pretty special club which I remain committed to even though I have moved away from the area. But, this commitment has its challenges. One of those challenges is that so many of those quaint cafes and quiet lanes are out towards Barton. Today’s route took the group to the Bank café, Alrewas, 2 ½ miles from my house. In these circumstances, because I am not one for driving all the way to Pelsall, to then ride almost back home and then ride back to Pelsall I chose to meet fellow C & D’s along the route.

Today, I set off with a plan to ride towards the starting point, hoping to get 20 miles in before meeting up. I like to make sure I cover the distance of the planned route to avoid any ridicule about avoiding the miles and the climbing. The downside is that this means an early start. Anyone who knows me well, will know that my preference is 10am starts! However, the weather was fine, warm enough for short sleeves, cool enough to avoid getting hot and bothered. And so off I went on my solo ride to meet fellow comrades. The only way out of Barton was the

2 mile drag, climbing to Yoxall on cold legs before joining the A515 to Kings Bromley, then down to Fradley, across to Whittington before heading towards Shenstone, the planned rendezvous point. My pace was good, only slowed down near Weeford by tractor that parked across the lane! So, once around that obstacle I fancied my chances of reaching the top of Stonnall before meeting up, 23 miles under the belt for me, and 4 miles into the ride for the rest. I had estimated that I would see them rolling down the high street at about 9.45. 9.55 came and went and no group in sight. I checked the route…I am waiting in the middle of Main Street (off shoot) however the route planned took a left turn at Alan’s bike - whoops…. perhaps they snook past behind me, in stealth mode. Do I stay or do I go? It cannot possibly have taken them this long to cycle 4 miles. I decide to go with the hope that if I pedal quickly, I can catch them.

Long story short, I arrive at the Bank having done 40 miles at the top end of the pedalling capability. Nope, I didn’t catch them up and they were not at the cafe. Shall I ride back towards them and add another few miles or sit in the sunshine with an iced latte? Having opted for taking a seat with an iced latte, I waited for them to appear. 10 mins or so later they arrive, having had a mechanical at the start point they were late setting off. Anyway, not all was lost, my solo ride bagged me a few PB’s and best efforts and I managed 40 miles.

In true codgers and dodgers' style we sat around chatting, tried a few selfies before asking the young server to take a photo that actually captured all 6 of us. I offered to plan next weeks route (in a different direction to Barton which makes it more appealing to drive to start point in Pelsall). Bob and I play with What’s App location sharing in an attempt to be able track the group and avoid missing each other on future rides - only to be thwarted by the crap phone covered in the countryside. We enjoyed an extended coffee stop, in the sunshine whilst waiting for egg on toast for Bob and Martin which took an extraordinarily long time to arrive. Were we worried about the wait? No, because we are the codgers and dodgers with time to spare.

Story by Sal cycling.