30 Santa riders out were: Beardy Santa (Roger), Armoured Santa (Clone), Bent Santa (Pol), Bad Santa (Chairman Spud), Worse Santa (Spesh), Hurry Santa (Dave K), Veggie Santa (Carrot), Angry Santa (Al), (Orange Santa (Chunk), S.S Santa (Sidge), Pregnant Mrs Claus (Hells), Sofa Santa (Tyre Kicker), Falling Mrs Claus (Tracey), Hero Santa (Pieman), CCTV Santa (Muddyryder), Lightweight Santa (Pabs), Knackered Santa (Stan), Sex pest Santa (Terry), Midnight fireman Santa (Brian A), Flying Santa (Hendy), Punctured Santa (Silvercoob), Boring Santa (Kiwi), Blue Pig Santa (Pete), Southern Fairy Santa (Rod Council), Endo Santa (Scotty), Snowball Santa (Bazza), Normally Broken Santa (Red Rooster), Sarcastic Santa (Busy Fool), Lefty Santa (Edgy) and Suit not one size fits all Santa (myself).
After a Coffee and a meet up at the services it was an icy road trip up to Llandegla only to find it closed due to icy conditions and snow, meaning it was too dangerous to get up to the trail head. Cue plan B, Delemere, after a photo stop at the car through the hedge we rocked up at the visitors centre. Once suited and booted Al kindly demonstrated (several times) how icy the car park was. A quick team photo and then after a few more falls on the ice, we were off.
Ed and Hells rightly decided to give it a miss given her pregnant condition a wise move as the number of stacks, slips and falls are too numerous to mention.
Off road traction was a lot better however certain sections hid glass like ice under a blanket of seasonal snow, a good route led by Roger as usual taking in some great Delemere single track that a lot didn’t recognise without the mud or the dark!
A great ride, some great fun including snowball fights, camera and photo stops, and a great snowy winter wonderland was the scene to greet us. The non cycling visitors to Delemere were amazed to see so many cycling Santa’s and the ride encapsulated the fun Spirit of the club, nearly everyone had a fall at some point, including Tracey that did it in full view of the club and spectators also.
Well done to all who turned out in such treacherous conditions and bah humbug to those who put in early bails! Merry Christmas to all.
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