The Old Git's Friday gang head to Cheddar. 37

Not very wise to go out today!  The forecast puts the temperature outside as minus 2 degrees.  Not good.  Went out regardless and met up with three other OGs at Tescos and  rode out to Worle to pick up another one near Worle and a sixth on the road between Puxton and Sandford. I think by now the temperature was more like one degree below and felt like it. The aim, initially, was to go to Cheddar Gorge but that was fairly flexible. See how the ride pans out.

Shute Shelve Tunnel.

By the time we got to Winscombe on the Strawberry Line, I had to confess that I was feeling the cold and was struggling a bit. The suggestion that they carry on and I would go back to Weston was met with, "let's go and get a cup of tea and decide from there."  We went into Winscombe to Charlotte's Tea Room and it was closed!  Had to wait nearly ten minutes for it to open and after a cup of tea, a sit by a heater, I felt more confident to carry on.  We got back on the Strawberry Line and aimed for Axbridge and Cheddar.  It didn't feel any warmer unfortunately!  Stopped for a 'posy' photograph at the the entrance to the recently refurbished Shute Shelve Tunnel.  Going through the tunnel, resisted to temptation to whistle and sing in case we disturbed the resident bats!

On the outskirts of Cheddar, we had a change of plan. One of us diverted to go home, the rest turned south to Wedmore where we had another necessary cup of tea at an exorbitant cost in the only tea room of many that seemed to be open.  A captive audience. Met a couple in there from Weston who help to organise world wide cycling tours that seem interesting.  Cheddar today, Vietnam or Albania tomorrow. Perhaps not.

The sun came out for the remainder of the ride home which helped a bit and I clocked up 37 miles today.  Pleased with that considering I was about to give-up (that should never be an option).