There’s been quite a lot happening since our last newsletter. The clubroom meetings restarted following the hiatus of the pandemic. Club rides are continuing each Sunday, covering a wide range of our local area. We’ve introduced beginners rides for those who want to try group riding. Our two annual time trials have both been held and some of our members have ridden in the Triennial Veteran’s rides this year.
Each Sunday morning we set out from either Whalley bus station, Ribchester car park or Brownhill roundabout and head off for a day’s ride. Thankfully the weather hasn’t really affected these recently and so we are generally reaching the destination as per the schedule. A few highlights of this Spring are;
Darnbrook – Always a tough ride as there’s quite a lot of climbing involved but the clarity of the day made the effort all worthwhile.
Blackpool – Out across the Fylde to catch the ferry to Fleetwood and then follow the coastal cycle path to the classic seaside town. Another day with perfect weather.
Hebden Bridge – Another challenging ride with plenty of climbing. After lunch at Hebden, we made our way over to Oxenhope, having a look at the K&WVR.
Rivington Pike – We threaded our way through Blackburn, seeing sights you don’t often get, before eventually ascending Rivington pike. The return was via roads even our secretary hadn’t used before.
As you can see, we try to cover all points of the compass with our rides and include all abilities. Why not come along one Sunday and see for yourself something a little unusual?
The first Sunday of each month, from April to October, we are having quite short rides for those who’d like to try group riding. They start at Whalley bus station and last about 4 hours and include a cafe break along the way. This month saw the group leave Whalley and head towards Ribblesdale, taking in an easy bit of rough stuff and a stop at Gardenmakers, near Wigglesworth. Not only did we have some come along for the first time but a few old hands joined in to share their cycling wisdom!
Each Spring, we organise two time trials. The 2Up is in May with the SpoCo in June. Although the entries have been down this year, those who have raced have had a good competition plus there’s always tea and cake back at the race HQ afterwards.
Every third year, Cycling UK organises 100 mile rides for the over 50s. These are run by various member groups around the country and this year saw four of our members riding in the Chester & North Wales event. Interestingly, the four of us were only riding two bikes. You guessed it, we were on tandems. Although 100 miles is quite a decent ride in anybody’s book, this one is broken up into manageable 25 mile sections with very civilised food breaks at Overton, Four Crosses and Ellesmere. This event has been held most years and so the organisation is a fairly slick affair. Groups of 8 or 9 set off at 10 minute intervals, each with a leader from C&NW to guide you along. We should’ve had our third break in Overton but the village had it’s water supply cut off after we’d been in the morning. Amazingly the organisers managed to arrange for us to have the break in the market hall in Ellesmere at very short notice. Even though they won’t read this, a huge thanks to the volunteers who helped arrange it all.
