No Pie and Peas Evening Run

It was at a committee meeting one dark evening last winter that I volunteered to lead the pie and peas run. Obviously at that time we’d no idea it would be just a ride out as no food would be available.
As it was my first time as leader I’d planned the route of approximately 30 miles to last around an hour to get us back to the club by about 8.15 pm for the food and decided to keep to this route even though it was now just a chat and a drink afterward.
I was away on holiday last week and surprised on my return to find one of the roads of my chosen route was now completely closed and the other had temporary traffic lights and part of my original route was covered in loose gravel from the heavy rainfall.
I decided to do a last minute route change which in the event took us to the Shell garage at Five Lane Ends then left towards Barton and after a few miles a right turn into Dunstall Lane towards the Forresters Arms and Hoar Cross Hall.
Then on through Abbots Bromley towards Uttoxeter before making a right turn into Quee Lane to Marchington Woodlands before coming out on the B5017 and right turn towards Draycott in the Clay.
Straight on through Marchington Village and out past the prison over the roundabout towards Tutbury, then a right up Hanbury Hill past the Cock Inn Pub. My initial route was to head back towards Anslow and turn right down Hopley Road to the Acorn but due to yet more road works which I only discovered that night when riding to Marstons club. I decided to take an early right turn back to the Shell garage at Five Lane Ends, then first left and straight back to Marstons so cutting out the roadworks.
I was relieved that everyone made it back apart from Doug Lowe who had a rear puncture but he actually arrived back on his bike whilst we were still chatting on the car park.
Thanks to everyone that took part. It was a good turnout with 17 bikes on a lovely sunny evening. Special thanks to Andy Roberts for checking the route beforehand with me and riding ‘Back Man’ on the night.
Thanks, John Earp.

A nice report from John Earp and some photographs below from Mick Dughan, Andy Roberts and John Earp. A really enjoyable ride on a perfect summer evening. I think the dog enjoyed it too as I could hear it barking most of the way around.😉 Eddy