Having pre-booked some interesting-sounding food for lunch at The Chequers, Cutnall Green (Wagyu steak & ciabatta sandwich, anyone?), 14 riders (plus John McG, who intended a shorter excursion) set off West on a cloudy Spring day on a route originally devised by Nigel B. for December 2018, but cancelled due to bad weather. After agreeable limbering-up climbs on Weatheroak (up the easy way) and Fiery Hill Road in Barnt Green, a steady, rolling pace and relaxed mood was maintained via Bourneheath and Broom Hill until Dobes Lane, just SW of Chaddesley Corbett when, in a flurry of bikes and bodies flying laterally across the lane, Judith & Angela sustained ride-ending injuries following an interlocking of handlebars
. Space blanket was deployed, first aid administered and motorised assistance summoned, with injured parties and steeds despatched to Solihull General where, we learned later, a fracture to the point of the left elbow was diagnosed for the unfortunate Angela to add to the unpleasantness of a severe skin lesion. We all wish her a swift recovery from the surgery. A little shaken by this, but not over-stirred, 12 made the few miles onwards – on a now truncated route - to The Chequers for a slightly tardy arrival where a fine lunch was had by all, Bob being notably well pleased with the Japanese-style meat treat he had ordered.
After the morning’s discombobulating events, remounting did not occur until after 2pm, but under now sunny skies the march of time did not weigh heavily on the group as we progressed Eastwards through Wychbold, Upper Bentley, Tardebigge, Agmore Road and Alvechurch – shedding a few riders en route – before once again tackling Weatheroak Hill, this time from the West, led to the summit not for the first time by the flat-barred mountain goat that is new member Noel. Once conquered, the residuum were appropriately led back to RLE by Nigel, whose excellent route this had been. He and I wound our way back to our respective inner city neighbourhoods with a little over 60 miles under our belts.
