cafe hoppers http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 Cafehopper's Update 1 http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1748179.html Cafehopper's Update 1 Monday 31 August 2009: Cafehopper's Update 1

Dave Kenny Lowri, Anne & Glynn @ Thustustan Sea view with cyclist Lets go Llanymynach overspill Merf and Glynn Bruce joins the gang No mudguards! Peter & Irene having a The Walrus? Zapata? Decision time Time out Brucie Cutting Steve the Garth Train time Dave Ec' & Chris Trains 'n' boats 'n' bikes?

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]]> Mon Aug 31 2009 Chris Jones http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1746501.html Small Change (for Chris) “Where shall we go today?” “Southport, I know a good café in Southport”. That café’s been closed for thirty years. But Chris remembers feats of strength on Southport beach –or was it Rhyl? Lads in woolen bathers make a human pyramid, Tease the girls; lark round. Off the bike, he’s dapper, Suited, hair slicked back –every inch the gentleman. Gaunt nobility; the five o’clock shadow a dim memory now. Taciturn, reserved – a private man, generous, humble. Without the bike, he’s like a fish… He yearns to escape to the rhythm of lanes. No more floundering. How many bikes did you say? Seven. Groaning and complaining, strangers to lubrication- They are tamed by an elegant energy. Shrunk inside his “Fibrax” shirt, Faded, pinned together at the neck, He launches into life’s traffic, Immune to bustle, immovable. He’s done “the knowledge” –every rutted lane And twisted track; an old companion. Our compass; our friend. When there’s deflation, he’s there –but silent. His, the hand that steadies the bike, proffers the pump And folds the tube, neatly -just good housekeeping, I suppose. Once in almost ten years -over `beans on white’- Spurred on by God knows what, He regales us with tales of youth. Colliers’ fortnight’s in ’53- a “Boy’s Own” adventure. Chris, Glynn and Dai; hobo’s sleeping in the goods-van. And nights under canvas; happy time –time flies. Aboard the DC 3 – “Silver City Airways”, then, “Where’s my bloody bike?” Colour draining from his face, he peers inside the fuselage. And sees… Nothing. By rail to Roma; eternal city, built on seven hills. Another episode unravels. “Get him, Taffy!” That’s all it needed; A girl, a bar, a quarrel and the carabineri. The American ducks –a new found friend. Arms that swung the hammer and hefted coal explode. ”La Dolce Vita”, is bartered for something harder. But faultless manners work their charm. The Colosseum holds his gaze- “nice when it’s finished.” He’d read about it in the Comic; crits and primes and palamares. Simpson’s flair for clowning or perhaps Coppi’s natural grace Drew him to Fat Albert’s, behind the Café den Engel, But a crash deflated continental aspirations. Returning to the colliery they gave him grief. Chris told the foreman he could stick his job… How many miles have we travelled now? A dull glint, hooded eyes flicker –quick as a school-kid he pockets the copper. He shadows us; spinning, and when we let up –as we must, He pulls alongside, mudguard rattling and chain rubbing. Looking straight ahead, he speaks, “Can’t hang about, Pal.” And then he’s down the road. Alun Jones Thursday 27 August 2009: Small Change (for Chris) _Where shall we go today?_ _Southport, I know a good caf_ in Southport_. That caf__s been closed for thirty years. But Chris remembers feats of strength on Southport beach _or was it Rhyl? Lads in woolen bathers make a human pyramid, Tease the girls; lark round. Off the bike, he_s dapper, Suited, hair slicked back _every inch the gentleman. Gaunt nobility; the five o_clock shadow a dim memory now. Taciturn, reserved _ a private man, generous, humble. Without the bike, he_s like a fish_ He yearns to escape to the rhythm of lanes. No more floundering. How many bikes did you say? Seven. Groaning and complaining, strangers to lubrication- They are tamed by an elegant energy. Shrunk inside his _Fibrax_ shirt, Faded, pinned together at the neck, He launches into life_s traffic, Immune to bustle, immovable. He_s done _the knowledge_ _every rutted lane And twisted track; an old companion. Our compass; our friend. When there_s deflation, he_s there _but silent. His, the hand that steadies the bike, proffers the pump And folds the tube, neatly -just good housekeeping, I suppose. Once in almost ten years -over `beans on white_- Spurred on by God knows what, He regales us with tales of youth. Colliers_ fortnight_s in _53- a _Boy_s Own_ adventure. Chris, Glynn and Dai; hobo_s sleeping in the goods-van. And nights under canvas; happy time _time flies. Aboard the DC 3 _ _Silver City Airways_, then, _Where_s my bloody bike?_ Colour draining from his face, he peers inside the fuselage. And sees_ Nothing. By rail to Roma; eternal city, built on seven hills. Another episode unravels. _Get him, Taffy!_ That_s all it needed; A girl, a bar, a quarrel and the carabineri. The American ducks _a new found friend. Arms that swung the hammer and hefted coal explode. _La Dolce Vita_, is bartered for something harder. But faultless manners work their charm. The Colosseum holds his gaze- _nice when it_s finished._ He_d read about it in the Comic; crits and primes and palamares. Simpson_s flair for clowning or perhaps Coppi_s natural grace Drew him to Fat Albert_s, behind the Caf_ den Engel, But a crash deflated continental aspirations. Returning to the colliery they gave him grief. Chris told the foreman he could stick his job_ How many miles have we travelled now? A dull glint, hooded eyes flicker _quick as a school-kid he pockets the copper. He shadows us; spinning, and when we let up _as we must, He pulls alongside, mudguard rattling and chain rubbing. Looking straight ahead, he speaks, _Can_t hang about, Pal._ And then he_s down the road. Alun Jones

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]]> Thu Aug 27 2009 February Rides http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1657995.html February Rides Monday 23 February 2009: February Rides

Sleap Airfield: George in The Talgarth Sleap Airfield: Glynn & Anne Sleap Airfield: Unscheduled Stop Sleap Airfield: Waysiders Sleap Airfield:Chris Sleap Airfield: Graham's Bike-lift Sleap Airfield: Entering Through the Back Door Sleap Airfield: Chaos Rules Sleap Airfield: Cleared for Take-off Sleap Airfield: Formation Team Sleap Airfield: Fly-past Sleap Airfield: Fire Engine Sleap Airfield: Taxiing Sleap Airfield: Windsock Sleap Airfield: \barnstormer Sleap Airfield: Flying Leather-necks Sleap Airfield: A Time to Muse Sleap Airfield: Des Res Sleap Airfield: The Waiting Game Sleap Airfield: Mere Sleap Airfield: Talgarth Eureka: Kenny da nose Eureka: Graham Eureka: Marin Eureka: Kit-bike for Peter Eureka: Dave fettles Eureka: Dave Eureka: Andy Eureka: Glynn & Merf Eureka: Mike Eureka: Andy Griff Eureka: Anne Eureka: Water-side

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]]> Mon Feb 23 2009 December Rides http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1622378.html December Rides Tuesday 9 December 2008: December Rides

Walk Mill: John sniffs the Cafe Walk Mill: Walk Mill: Big wheel keeps on turning Walk Mill: How's that for tea? Walk Mill: Merf eyes the scones Walk Mill: Watching the river flow Walk Mill: God speed the plough Walk Mill: Yew know what its like Walk Mill: St Chad's, Farndon Walk Mill: Sir Roger de Barton snoozes on

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]]> Tue Dec 9 2008 November Rides http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1607234.html November Rides Thursday 6 November 2008: November Rides

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]]> Thu Nov 6 2008 October Rides http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1597136.html October Rides Saturday 18 October 2008: October Rides

Penley Cafe (by Gareth) Elvis queue (by Gareth) Silence at Elvis (by Gareth) Judgement of the pudding (by Gareth) New Cafe (by Gareth) Holt Sunshine (by Gareth)

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]]> Sat Oct 18 2008 September Rides http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1579145.html September Rides Monday 15 September 2008: September Rides

Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Llanymynach: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: Nantwich: New Brighton: New Brighton: New Brighton: New Brighton: New Brighton:

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]]> Mon Sep 15 2008 August Rides http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1579116.html August Rides Monday 15 September 2008: August Rides

Halkyn: Halkyn: Halkyn: The Dee Halkyn: Flint Castle Halkyn: Halkyn: Halkyn: Halkyn: Halkyn: Halkyn: Halkyn: Halkyn: Savage sheep? Halkyn: Halkyn: Halkyn: Halkyn: Daniel Owen Halkyn: Daniel who? Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Teapots Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh: Maesbury Marsh:

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]]> Mon Sep 15 2008 July Rides http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1547503.html July Rides Sunday 20 July 2008: July Rides

Nantwich: Gwersyllt Nantwich: Bikes Nantwich: Sunshine Nantwich: Kenny Nantwich: Cholmondely Castle Nantwich: Marina Nantwich: Marina Deeside: Shelter Deeside: Chris Jones Deeside: Railway Bridge Deeside: Anne on her new bike Deeside: Riverside Cafe Deeside: Bike path Deeside: Approaching Saltney Ferry

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]]> Sun Jul 20 2008 March Rides http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1470548.html March Rides Wednesday 5 March 2008: March Rides

Valle Crucis:Glynn & Anne climbing to Rhos Valle Crucis:Lowri climbing to Rhos Valle Crucis:John climbs into Penycae Valle Crucis:Glynn catches the bus Valle Crucis:Dave ignores the Valle Crucis:Flora Valle Crucis:Bob sucks a lemon Valle Crucis:Panorama Valle Crucis: The Dee Valle Crucis: Valle Crucis: Dinas Bran Valle Crucis:Just deserts Valle Crucis: Valle Crucis: Graig Arthur Valle Crucis: By Dinbren Gates Valle Crucis: Anne enjoys a hot chocolate Valle Crucis: Medieval Capitals Valle Crucis: Air-conditioned premesis Valle Crucis: Towards Eglwseg Valle Crucis: With a flower Valle Crucis: Roundabout Valle Crucis: Llandegla Moors Valle Crucis: Bwlchgwyn Wem: Wem: Passing Wem: Passing The Raven Wem: Maltings Cafe Tattenhall:Holt Church Tattenhall:Holt, Roman Pillar Tattenhall: Holt Church South Door Tattenhall: Waiting Tattenhall: Monument Tattenhall:Near Carden Tattenhall: Stretton Mill Tattenhall: Wiggles Tattenhall: Francis Lane Gobowen: Ken prepares Gobowen: Debate Gobowen: Rhosddu Gobowen: A5 Rendezvous Gobowen: Satanic Mills Gobowen: Hi Gobowen: Towards Gobowen: Riverside Gobowen: Bridge Gobowen: Out of the valley Gobowen: Near the top Gobowen: High jinx at Betty's Gobowen: Dave Gobowen:

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]]> Wed Mar 5 2008 February Rides http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1463146.html February Rides Friday 22 February 2008: February Rides

Chester; Nantwich; Nantwich; Nantwich; Nantwich; Nantwich; Nantwich; Nantwich; Sleap; Sleap; Sleap; Sleap; Sleap; Sleap; Sleap; Sleap; Sleap; Sleap; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Caffi Florence Loggerheads;

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]]> Fri Feb 22 2008 January 08 Rides http://cafehoppers.fotopic.net/c1437474.html January 08 Rides Monday 7 January 2008: January 08 Rides

Tarvin Sands; Tarvin Sands; Tarvin Sands; Tarvin Sands; Tarvin Sands; Tarvin Sands; Tarvin Sands; Tarvin Sands; Tarvin Sands; Tarvin Sands; Tarvin Sands; Tarvin Sands; Chester; Chester; Chester; Rainy Day Riders *12 & 13 Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Loggerheads; Chirk & Beyond; Chirk & Beyond; Chirk & Beyond; Chirk & Beyond;Chirk & Beyond; Chirk & Beyond; Chirk & Beyond;

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]]> Mon Jan 7 2008