Ride Reports
Saturday 1st December 2018
B2 Ride Report – Clitheroe (Not) - Steve Hopkinson
The forecast was for rain most of the day and increasingly heavy later on, and for once, unfortunately, they got it right. I was the first to arrive on the cobbles, and there I was sheltering under the arch, hoping that no-one would turn up. However, a few hardy (foolish?) souls arrived in drips (sic) and drabs.
The published route was to Clitheroe, but with only two other B2 riders, Luke and Dave H, and none of us showing any great enthusiasm to do the full route, we held a one-time referendum and Roots café was the chosen venue. We were joined by Phil M and Rick W, so the five of us set off into the wet stuff, along Dimples and Lydiate Lanes to Bilsborough, through Woodplumpton, taking the scenic route to Roots, although it was difficult to see much through the murk and rain-spattered glasses.
We were all soaked and cold by the time we arrived, but the café was as welcoming as usual, serving us with all-day breakfasts, fried eggs on doorstops, sausage baps etc. The conversation was varied and touched on such topics as how Michael Cain likes his toast and the man who invented Durex. Who said men only talk about women, cars and football?
Suitably refreshed, we reluctantly headed outside, where the rain was persisting, and set off towards Catforth, St Michaels, looping back towards Garstang via Lancaster Road and Nateby. This must be almost the first ride I’ve co-ordinated where I didn’t lose anyone!
It was still raining when we got back, but despite the weather we all covered just over 30 miles, with my Garmin recording an average speed of 14.7 mph. We still managed to climb just over 200 meters!
I was surprised that we encountered so many cyclists, as daft as us to be out on a day like that, but I suspect we all felt quite self-righteous by the time we got back. Did we enjoy it? …mmmm….
The published route was to Clitheroe, but with only two other B2 riders, Luke and Dave H, and none of us showing any great enthusiasm to do the full route, we held a one-time referendum and Roots café was the chosen venue. We were joined by Phil M and Rick W, so the five of us set off into the wet stuff, along Dimples and Lydiate Lanes to Bilsborough, through Woodplumpton, taking the scenic route to Roots, although it was difficult to see much through the murk and rain-spattered glasses.
We were all soaked and cold by the time we arrived, but the café was as welcoming as usual, serving us with all-day breakfasts, fried eggs on doorstops, sausage baps etc. The conversation was varied and touched on such topics as how Michael Cain likes his toast and the man who invented Durex. Who said men only talk about women, cars and football?
Suitably refreshed, we reluctantly headed outside, where the rain was persisting, and set off towards Catforth, St Michaels, looping back towards Garstang via Lancaster Road and Nateby. This must be almost the first ride I’ve co-ordinated where I didn’t lose anyone!
It was still raining when we got back, but despite the weather we all covered just over 30 miles, with my Garmin recording an average speed of 14.7 mph. We still managed to climb just over 200 meters!
I was surprised that we encountered so many cyclists, as daft as us to be out on a day like that, but I suspect we all felt quite self-righteous by the time we got back. Did we enjoy it? …mmmm….
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