Sat Club Run to Aqueduct Marina

Thank you to the stalwarts of this ride for graciously waiting at South Park for an extra ten minutes or so - a function of my inability to recognise that to get there from our first aid course in Hurdsfield would take >0 minutes.

Twelve riders set out and within the same number of miles were reduced by 50% (maths students eat your hearts out) after one or more heavy showers and I found the mantle of ride leadership thrust upon me by default of my Garmin ownership. The six riders that remained enjoyed a dry ride back, although, without hesitation I deviated the return route to avoid any repetition of our outward lanes, or because I or my Garmin lost the route at that critical Newcastle Road South interchange. What did I care? I was drunk on the heady wine of having enjoyed not only soya milk with my tea at the always excellent Galley cafe at Aqueduct Marina but a choice of vegan cakes as well. All my Christmases had come at once.

By extraordinary coincidence the revised route went within a few hundred yards of my house and my companions seemed to know where they were going anyway as I bid them a cheery farewell to forage for dandelions for Harrington our pet rabbit (limited edition photos and character licensing opportunities available from his agent). My pre-dandelion average speed from home to first aid course to park to cafe to home - 15.0 mph. Post-dandelion average 14.9. Compute the net drag effect of two dandelions (large) carried on the handlebars of the bike of one buffer >65 for approximately 500 imperial yards. Show all your workings. 10 marks.

Chris

Cafe diehards: Andy, Dave, Jack, Joe, Nigel. Supporting riders acting as pacemakers for first leg: Dave H, Simon C, Steve P, Andy B, Roger W and welcome back Janet H.