Offshore Cycle Haven
Yesterday evening's expedition was one of the centrepiece events of the MEMWNS calendar - our annual visit to West Mersea Yacht Club.
Fortuitously (or possibly intentionally on our part), OD was away in French France so we had a relatively civilised peloton in attendance. The Hustler, our resident class warrior, was also otherwise engaged so no repeat of his infamous dirty protest of 2016.
The evening began early for me with a dinner date with the rejuvenated Jiber. Can there be anywhere more romantic in Witham than the beer garden of the 'Spoons ?
We arrived at Spa with time to spare and were soon joined by Jem, Tena Man, Pugwash, Hotblack and, eventually, Huggy. Clearly, Jiber's tidal spreadsheet said something very different from the actual tide table as he set off at a furious pace. Jiber's paceline held for a while but by the time we reached our offshore destination it had split into two middle-aged men and an old man showing off at the front and the rest of us.
It was a little cloudy on the horizon for us to catch what would have been a beautiful sunset but it was still a very pleasant evening to sit by the waterfront with a beer in hand. Quite what the flag officers of the YC (who were all there for a committee meeting) made of our little group I do not know but I may yet find out if they took exception to Tena Man wandering around with his top off. Not long after we arrived, we were joined by Tomsk. He had made a two and half hour journey over only to stay for one drink and head back.
We sampled Flying Carrot by Mighty Oak and Southwold by Adnams and, in a controversial "seaside rules" apply choice, Adnams Dry Hopped Lager. Needless to say, the Lager walked the Quaffers' Choice Award. That's another committee I might have fallen foul of then
We discussed Huggy's lighting and gearing options for PBP and how hard he is having to work at the moment. On Monday Huggy worked for fifteen minutes more than his contracted hours and he didn't even take his full lunch hour. I don't know how he does it. Jiber and his technical working group then entertained us with a fascinating discussion on his chainline. That only left a short time to look at plans for Holland.
The half mile ride home just seemed to fly by.