The runs list of thé Nelson section of the €.T.C. was perused last Sunday morning with great interest by a large number of cyelists with the result that about 30 riders met at Fence Church at 9-30.
We left Fence and proceeded by way of Whalley and Chipping to the abode of one known to cyelists and ramblers as "Toffy” Jack, and there we had lunch. Having satisfied our ravenous appetites we abandoned our bicycles and became ramblers. It was a glorious afternoon, one of those which October borrows from May, indeed, if it were not for the approach of winter; early autumn would be almost as alluring as spring. We went through the gate opposite our lunching place and footed it along the cart track that led us by way of several farmsteads, rustic bridges, and to the ivy-covered church of Bleasdale. The trees everywhere were tinted with burnished gold, a gold which would tax the efforts of any artist to reproduce. We rambled on until we came to a point where we were over-looking Bleasdale; here we branched to our right and the climbing began. It is usual when climbing to divest onself of all articles of clothing which are not necessary for warmth; to-day was no exception, pullovers and coats, both good friends of the past, rested over our arms. After about half an-hour’s strenuous work over peat, bracken and heather, we reached our goal — the summit of Fair Snape Fell — conscious of the joy of achievement and a glorious view. For a short while we sat on the cairn to recover our breath and exchanged gentle ironies on the manner of each other’s ascent, and then started across the ridge to the neighbouring Parlick Pike. The view from the ridge was very fine; the coastline from Morecambe Bay to the Ribble estuary was clearly visible (the member who said that he could see someone lighting a cigarette on the top of Blackpool Tower - was slaughtered and buried on the spot). At the foot of Parlick Pike nestled tree surrounded Chipping, and Jeffry Hill, Pendle Hill, Ingleborough and Whernside dominated the landward horizon, whilst Clitheroe Castle could be plainly discerned in the wooded vale of the Ribble. We paused awhile to admire this view, and then having trampled victoriously on the cairn at the top of Parlick Pike, began the descent. The descent was swifter, but far more hazardous than the ascent; some ran down, some tried to - but finished up by rolling, whilst the majority stumbled down at walking pace. The last mile and a half proved to be very interesting; we jumped rivers and skirted ponds on the way back to “Toffy” Jack’s, where we again became cycligts. . A few of the younger bloods made short work of the remaining miles to Chipping where tea was ordered, and the rest of us arrived as the sun was sinking midst a blaze of splendour, in the west.
After tea, lamps were: lit, and we traversed the innumerable byways that lead to Whalley, to meet again old friends and club-mates, for where, outside. the cycling fraternity, will you find such a spirit of comradeship? But time passes quickly and at 8-30 we departed for home under a star-lit sky with that joyous feeling which comes from a day’s healthy exercise in the open air.
"SPRINTS"