This report is me and from Keith since I was not allowed to ride bikes for a week following a small op to the back of my neck (and for those who assume it's a brain transplant, you are probably correct). My part is this:

I woke up at around 8:30 and looked out to find drizzly rain. "Oh, not too bad", I thought, followed by "Bugger - I've got to use the car".  A quick breakfast and I was ready to go. I even remembed to take a bike-bike radio so i could listen in. Got to Poplar to find three bikes waiting and Pete having his normal ciggie before joining us inside. I did wonder why we weren't in the comfy seats, but as you can read below, it soon became obvious. The rest soon joined us and we all set off - me first in the car. At this point, I found that I should have checked the radio - it didn't work. Oh well, never mind. At least I was in comfort with the heated seats and windscreen wipers (he he he). Of course, being in a car, I was held up by traffic, in particular two enormous tractor-trailer combinations that no car could pass. OK - time to stop since I could see the bikes in the background. I pulled over and took a few pictures as they sailed past.

A quick reset of the sat nav and I was now on the quickest route to the Ponderosa. Which was nice (in a car). I arrived about 30 minutes before the bikes and spent the time chatting to other bikers and admiring the FJR sidecar combination (not that I want one, but it was a good eat of engineering). The others soon arrived (time passes quickly when you are having fun) and we went in for some well deserved pie and mash. The normal banter ensued until we were ready to go. After taking pictures of them all leaving, I headed home to the warmth of a cuppa.

Keiths part is this:

Woke at 8am to slight drizzle but enough to don the baby grow water proofs that have recently been acquired.

 

So it was off from home at 09:20 for a 20 mins jaunt to Poplar2000 via Lymm & arrived there at 09:40 to find i am the 1st. Well i thought i would hang about and get photos of thise arriving. There was the 1st problem, although the camera was brought along to record the ride, the SD card was omitted. DOH! So it was off the M'c D's for a sausage Mcmuffin & Coffee.

 

Garry was 1st to arrive and not far behind him were shall we say, young ladies scantily clad. Seats changed to enjoy the view then along came Peter, Tony, Alan on 4 wheels as he is under strict orders from the doctor not to ride/wear a helmet for 10 days, Phil along with the only pillion for the day, Nicola and bringing up the rear was Mark SPF. So after a brew and a chat it was off at 10:35.

 

Alan took off 1st in the car followed by the biking fraternity. We took the M56 to the A49 and found Alan a couple of miles down taking a couple of action shots. From this point it was right along the A534 (after missing the initial turn, i blame the satnav) then back along the A41 to Whitchurch. Then we took the A525 to the A539 then to my 2nd cock up, yet again i blame the satnav, she said right at the roundabout but should have said "Turn left then right at the roundabout" well it is a womans voice....Anyway we reached the Ponderosa to find Alan waiting to snap some more shots. The skid lids were stacked in the boss's car then off for the nose bag. Steak & Kidney pie chips peas & carrots for most drinks and chats & mickey taking.

 

We then said our good byes to Alan and photos of our departure and headed to the horse shoe pass down the A483 to the fuel station to feed the bikes with gas then it was of to Whitchurch. At this time the heavens had decided to see how good our waterproofs were, it rained, hard. In fact it was relentless all the way home. We took the roads through to Nantwich - Sandbach - Holmes Chapel - Chelford - Knutsford to the Poplar 2000 services.

 

It was a good ride as no B roads were touched (you live & learn). The weather could not be helped but everyone seemed to have enjoyed the run & 163 miles consumed

 

Just a few pointers to a few of he people who came along. Phil, make sure you do your pocket up in future or you will have a pocket full of water. Mark, sort that pigging radio out. Nicola, less of your smutty comments, off air. We need to know what is happening when you get home. Me, do your bloody water proofs up properly you dope & lastly Tony (The Escort) take your hand off your hips when your riding, it's just not right, people are talking about you.

 

Looking forward to the Pancake run now Hopefully this will not be as wet. The route we took was this: