Well what a day that was.
An early start from Sawley Abbey saw us heading up towards Bolton-by-Bowland, it was a chilly start, with dew still in the fields, but we had been promised a glorious day, and we weren't to be disappointed.
Form Bolton-by-Bowland we took the Hellifield road, then on through Otterburn to Airton, then Winterburn to Hetton, to get us on the road to Grassington, and the Grass Woods road all the way up to Buckden.
The idea was that we'd have a short brew stop in Buckden, availing ourselves of the village shops famous hot Sausage Rolls - but it was shut, so we had to make do with our own supplies. It was only a short stop anyway, with 30 miles on the clock, we still had a long way to go.
Leaving Buckden we took the Causeway and the long hard climb through Bishopdale, before dropping down to Aysgarth Falls for our proper lunch stop. After viewing the falls, famous for their roll in the Quarterstaff fight in the film 'Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves', we found a nice spot for our lunch. It was at this point that Roger produced one of his enormous home made Cornish Pasties, and revealed that he'd actually brought two, one the tea later!.
From Aysgarth the terrain was a little gentler, which was good, as we all had tired legs from the mornings efforts. We took the back road through Askrigg to Hardraw to avoid the climb out of Hawes, but were then met with a strongish headwind all the way down to the Ribblehead viaduct. We were planning on continuing to Horton in Ribblesdale, and a brew stop at Blind Beck, but as it was already 4pm, we weren't sure she'd still be open, so decided on an Ice Cream stop at Ribblehead.
Carrying on and the going was easier, down to Horton in Ribblesdale, Helwith Bridge, and then over Stackhouse Lane to Settle. A lovely blast down the Rathmell flats to Wigglesworth, and then virtually downhill all the way back to Sawley down Forrest Becks.
A staggering 88 miles round trip from Sawley with 6300 feet of climbing, more for the others, with Roger topping an amazing 121 miles by the time he got back home.
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Today was the first of David Tinkers new "Cycle and Natter" introductory rides, designed as a gentle introduction to our club, over a 15 mile circuit including a cafe stop.
Nine of us left Whalley Bus Station at 9am this morning, including 2 new riders and one returning member.
Heading out via Billington and turning down Elker Lane we took the quiet country lanes to Ribchester and the Potters Barn for our morning stop. Where we had a varied "Breakfast" with some members having Toasted Fruit Loaf and others Sausage butties.
After a relaxing "Natter" we retraced our outbound route to Gallows Lane and then turned up towards Hurst Green.
Approaching Great Mitton we turned down Mitton Road and made our way back to Whalley.
Well done to our new riders - we hope you enjoyed your day, and we see you again soon.
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August Bank Holiday Weekend and that means one thing - it's time for our 100 in 8 challenge ride.
The plan - 100 miles, in 8 hours ride time - so we're allowed food stops along the way, but the day wasn't without it's challenge.
Leaving Whalley bright and early - 8am! we set off out through Mitton and Bashall Eaves to Waddington, and up the Grindleton Grind, through Bolton-by-Bowland and looping round Hellifield Road up to Wigglesworth.
It was along here that we hit a small delay.... I say small. The farmer was moving his cows from the farmyard across the road into the opposite field. Except about 30+ of them decided they didn't want to go into the field, they wanted to come and say hello to us instead. So we're heading up the road, with 30+ cows coming directly towards us (and it's a narrow road too!).
Having worked out they weren't supposed to be coming our way, Roger's farming experience sprang into play and we suddenly became cow herders, turning them round and sending them back!.
Moving on, we rode into Settle for a breakfast stop in the 3-peaks bike shop (seems to have been a regular stop over the last few weeks). Then over Stackhouse Lane, and across the top of the Forest of Bowland through Austwick, Clapham and Wray before dropping down towards Lancaster and our lunch stop at Bull Beck picnic area.
After lunch, we joined the cycle path to the Millennium Bridge in Lancaster and then followed the Lune down to Glasson Dock. Turning south at Glasson to Cockerham and then Nateby to the Toll Bridge at Great Eccleston where we had our third rest break and finished our picnics.
The final leg took is through Elswick and Inskip, through Broughton and into Longridge, and finished with that nasty climb out of Ribchester up Marles Wood, and back to Whalley.
Grand Total - 102.2 miles @ 13.2mph - the 100 was completed in 7:36 - well within our 8 hour target!.
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Four of us left Gisburn bright and early today for an epic ride over Kingsdale and Dentdale.
Heading up through Rathmell towards Settle, then via Lawkland and Austwick to Clapham for the first brew stop of the day. Leaving Clapham we took the main road to Ingleton, to speed things along and get the bulk of the climbing out of the way before the afternoon heat.
After turning right out of Ingleton and up towards Kingsdale, David-L left us leaving myself, David T and Roger to tackle the climbs up to Dent. Kingsdale has spectacular views, and we even got a sneak preview of the clubs new arial support vehicle at the top!. (see photos)
After a picnic lunch in Dent car park, nicely shaded under a large tree, we turned towards Dentdale, and the pull up past Dent Viaduct.
Dropping down to Ribblehead, we stopped to replenish our dwindling water supplies, before stopping at Blind Becks, where the temperature was approaching 38 degrees!. We needed a well deserved break from the sun, and some tea and cakes!
Mostly downhill from here, we dropped through Selside to Horton in Ribblesdale, through Helwith Bridge, and over Stackhouse Lane back to Settle and the return via Rathmell.
... and... with the heat... My Jelly Babies had melted into a right sticky mess!. - Disaster!
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Five of us out today for the medium ride over Tatham Fell, past the Cross of Greet.
Leaving Gisburn and heading out the usual way through Rathmell, then up through Eldroth, and past Clapham Station on to the road to Bentham. Then, to ease the oncoming gradient, round to Wray for lunch outside Bridge House Farm, where they had Swings and a Roundabout to distract us from the climb ahead.
After lunch we tackled said climb up to the Cross of Greet for amazing views of the Three Peaks. After a short recovery stop by the Cross, we carried on to Slaidburn for well deserved Coffee and Scones, before returning via Bolton-by-Bowland.
Amazing day!
Incidentally, the Cross of Greet is listed as a Grade II listed building: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1163268 even if it more resembles a Grade II listed rock-with-a-hole-in-it. Obviously we treated if with appropriate respect.
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One of our favourites today, a ride out from Whalley to Knott End. It's always a good ride when we get to the seaside, you really feel like you've been somewhere.
Taking our usual route out via Ribchester and Longridge, then onwards through Broughton, taking in part of the Guild Wheel. Next on to Cartford Bridge, and up past Wardleys Creek (The tide was in for a change!) to Knott End for a picnic lunch on the sea wall.
It was a nice day, the tide was in and there was a mild westerly wind. Normally we'd then head up the coast to Pilling before heading back, but then somebody suggested getting the Ferry across to Fleetwood...
After the short crossing we then headed down the full length of the Fylde Coast to Lytham. The mildish westerly wind hitting the coast where it was deflected north, into something a little stronger, making the south bound flattest part of the ride into the hardest part of the day.
After ice creams in St. Annes, we finally turned back inland, through Kirkham and back to Broughton finally retracing our route back to Whalley.
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With the exception of one ride last September, this was our first official club ride since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, in March 2020!. It's hard to believe, that, as a group, we've been effectively closed for over 12 months.
It was great to meet up again today with seven of us setting off from Whalley under a cloudy sky, even with the prospects of rain on the horizon.
Arriving at Chipping, around 11:00am, and the clouds thickening, we decided that our scheduled destination, to look at the bluebells at Calder Vale, was probably not that great an idea if we wanted to avoid a soaking, so decided on an early lunch and loop back via Longridge.
It didn't rain though, so we divered to Inglewhite and a group photo to mark the occasion, by the monument there.
Heading back through Longridge, we even managed an outdoor brew stop at the Potters Barn in Ribchester before returning to Whalley for 3:30pm.
Overall, 37 miles covered, which is respectable for our short rides, and better than we expected at the outset.
We're now looking forward to more of the team returning next week on our next ride.
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- 100 Mile Challenge Ride - 25 August 2019
- 100km Challenge Ride - 14 July 2019
- WWI Centenary Ride
- 100 mile Challenge Ride - 1 September 2018
- 100 km Challenge Ride - 15 July 2018
- Wirral Way - 1 July 2018
- 50 Mile Challenge Ride - 10 June 2018
- 50 km Challenge Ride - 20 May 2018
- 25 mile Challenge Ride - 5 May 2018
- Midweek Ride - 15 March 2018