Many young men of twenty and much older were gathered under the tree for the weekly Square Wheels 9am club cycle. The whole chat was about the annual club pub quiz which was a roaring success even if last year’s winners boycotted the event in protest. The Barbarian was mentioned and how his general knowledge was second to none. The 2 Oil Men were still arguing about the picture rounds and how they were convinced one of the mug shots was the Chairman but it turned out to be Morgan Freeman.
The Touring Department were under the tree in full bloom with their capes on. “You’ll not need the capes today” said the Younger Schleck. “I’ll take it off as I cycle” said the Caped Crusader “and I can take me trousers off when I’m cycling too although I need pushed along as I do it.”
The Londoner led everyone out of the Square. He was joined by Sir Alex and the Legal Drug Seller. As the Londoner led us all towards Loughgall he shared his stories of his recent time working in Barcelona and Italy and how he had to take in a trip to the Nou Camp as part of his work. “It’s not easy but someone has to do it” he said.
On the other side of Loughgall we were all treated to a big bang from The Banana Socks Man whose back tyre blew out and frightened the life out of us all as we approached Tandragee. “That’s my ride over for today” he said “I’ll phone the missus.”
Before long we were all behind the Tone and The Dentist following them through Tandragee and the aroma of Tayto cheese and onion crisps. The Continental Man and The Rushmere Man had gone ahead of us all to get the fresh scones and tea before anyone else in Scarva. Once past Scarva the peloton split in two so that those wanting a shorter run could return to the Moy for a 40 mile spin. Meanwhile about 10 others, led by Black Rod and The Duff, headed for the Brontée Homeland and Rathfriland on the hill. The whole peloton were commenting on how lovely County Down and its people were and how lucky people who come from the county must be.
The Younger Schleck was roaring out the instructions as usual as we scaled the big hill in Rathfriland. On the downhill on the other side we had to wait for The Master Carpenter, The Tone and The Dentist who missed the right turn to Hilltown because they were travelling at the speed of sound. Once we had regrouped however we all headed for Hilltown where the Master Carpenter was delighted to announce that he has now finally done the 7 sisters. He then led us to Mayobridge and on to 5 ways in Newry where the coffee stop was announced,
On the Master Carpenter’s recommendation Black Rod, The Older Oil Man and The MC opted for the chicken curry and boiled rice with a wee roast potato or 2 hidden in the tub too. This was all washed down by lashings of full fat milk. Sir Alex opted for the healthier option while it was tea and sandwiches for the Younger Schleck.
It was a lumpy exit from the city as the peloton headed towards Bessbrook for Mountnorris and then Markethill where we rejoined the main road into Armagh. From Armagh the pace increased slightly as everyone rotated the lead at the front like a well oiled machine. The Duff was handing around Jelly Babies like they were going out of fashion and The Older Oil Man then started flashing the Pastilles. The Duff was sinking gels with exotic flavours and The Legal Drug Seller wasn’t going to be out done with his go faster shots.
By the time we hit the Moy again The Legal Drug Seller had just pipped the MC to the finish. The only problem was that Sir Alex had got home quicker than everyone else and gave us the Royal Wave as he cruised past. It had been a quality spin of almost 70 miles at a pace to suit all.
The Touring Department were under the tree in full bloom with their capes on. “You’ll not need the capes today” said the Younger Schleck. “I’ll take it off as I cycle” said the Caped Crusader “and I can take me trousers off when I’m cycling too although I need pushed along as I do it.”
The Londoner led everyone out of the Square. He was joined by Sir Alex and the Legal Drug Seller. As the Londoner led us all towards Loughgall he shared his stories of his recent time working in Barcelona and Italy and how he had to take in a trip to the Nou Camp as part of his work. “It’s not easy but someone has to do it” he said.
On the other side of Loughgall we were all treated to a big bang from The Banana Socks Man whose back tyre blew out and frightened the life out of us all as we approached Tandragee. “That’s my ride over for today” he said “I’ll phone the missus.”
Before long we were all behind the Tone and The Dentist following them through Tandragee and the aroma of Tayto cheese and onion crisps. The Continental Man and The Rushmere Man had gone ahead of us all to get the fresh scones and tea before anyone else in Scarva. Once past Scarva the peloton split in two so that those wanting a shorter run could return to the Moy for a 40 mile spin. Meanwhile about 10 others, led by Black Rod and The Duff, headed for the Brontée Homeland and Rathfriland on the hill. The whole peloton were commenting on how lovely County Down and its people were and how lucky people who come from the county must be.
The Younger Schleck was roaring out the instructions as usual as we scaled the big hill in Rathfriland. On the downhill on the other side we had to wait for The Master Carpenter, The Tone and The Dentist who missed the right turn to Hilltown because they were travelling at the speed of sound. Once we had regrouped however we all headed for Hilltown where the Master Carpenter was delighted to announce that he has now finally done the 7 sisters. He then led us to Mayobridge and on to 5 ways in Newry where the coffee stop was announced,
On the Master Carpenter’s recommendation Black Rod, The Older Oil Man and The MC opted for the chicken curry and boiled rice with a wee roast potato or 2 hidden in the tub too. This was all washed down by lashings of full fat milk. Sir Alex opted for the healthier option while it was tea and sandwiches for the Younger Schleck.
It was a lumpy exit from the city as the peloton headed towards Bessbrook for Mountnorris and then Markethill where we rejoined the main road into Armagh. From Armagh the pace increased slightly as everyone rotated the lead at the front like a well oiled machine. The Duff was handing around Jelly Babies like they were going out of fashion and The Older Oil Man then started flashing the Pastilles. The Duff was sinking gels with exotic flavours and The Legal Drug Seller wasn’t going to be out done with his go faster shots.
By the time we hit the Moy again The Legal Drug Seller had just pipped the MC to the finish. The only problem was that Sir Alex had got home quicker than everyone else and gave us the Royal Wave as he cruised past. It had been a quality spin of almost 70 miles at a pace to suit all.