Saturday 21st January 2017

A great turnout on the cobbles for the A ride on a cold day, 7 riders set off with varied intentions of early baths and such like. Off out up Marshaw at a reasonable pace towards Trough, then left back towards Lancaster up the gentle side of Jubilee Tower. Two riders were going well and jousted to the top, another two in close pursuit, again jousting, I think this set the tone for the day, apologies if anyone was out for an easy day!! A couple peeled off to do their own thing after the run towards Caton. Littledale was abandonded as a bad idea due to lots of lame excuses so we carried on to Hornby as a team pursuit, some (me) hanging on to wheels to get through the headwind, thanks Boz, Paul B, Paul W etc . Easy section through Gressingham up over towards Borwick, then a right towards Hutton roof, here the wheels came off, my plotted route suggested we go through a farm so we carried on the road adding extra miles to Whittington, then up over another climb, oops, where more legs and egos were stretched, but a great descent pity the roads were greasy. We found the plotted route again and made our way to Arnside where the fun of finding food started, we were pretty starved, due to a long first section, cold, and hills. Café’s full we went to the pub, discussing the merits of beer and lifts home, however we were well behaved, had coffee, tea and some decent jacket spuds and on our way escaping the ex pro footballer wanting to share his wisdom of current wages. Relative calm route home through Silverdale, Carnforth, the Kellets, where the thought of home speeded legs up again, hang in again time, back to Halton and Caton , two peeled off to Lancaster leaving the last few miles back to Garstang at a steady pace. Mileage depends on when Garmin started, mine 4 miles in, so a guess at 77 mile, 6335ft, 3 gels, 1 Jacket spud and a great time. Thanks all see you out soon.