Despite serious overnight thunderstorms and ominous skies 8 riders turned out at 7am to tackle our 100 mile Challenge ride, our first in many years. From Whalley the group climbed through the Pendleside villages of Wiswell, Worston, Downham and Rimington, crossing the A59 at Gisburn. By the time we reached Settle all the riders were ready for breakfast, and pleased they'd covered 27 miles before our normal start time. Skirting the edge of the Dales at Austwick and Clapham the group then turned south west through the gentler Lune Valley. Fortunately the weather held dry with light or no wind and we made rapid progress towards Lancaster having covered half our distance. The excellent off road cycle paths took us to the Millenium Bridge at Lancaster and on to Glasson Dock for another feeding station.
The homeward route was mercifully flat crossing the Fylde to Garstang, Great Eccleston, and Inskip. The group split a little around Longridge, but following the short last climb at Marles Wood the 100 mile mark was reached around Old Langho, and all riders completed the ride by around 7pm. Congratulations to Lee Holden, Peter Bradford, Dorothy Altham, and John Yardley for completing their first 100 mile rides. Also completing the ride were Mark Clegg, Jim Duerden, John Ramsden and Harry Taylor.
