Hilly, scenic 102 km (63 mile) forum ride, Whalley, Sun 6th May (?)

[Svendo]

Have fun guys, I'm off to work now until sunday afternoon plus I'm still a bit too sore for long rides at the moment following recent unwanted body-road interfaces.

 

[ColinJ]

I tried to video the '40%' climb from Harlech station to the castle

A motorcycle-eye view which hints at, but doesn't quite manage to capture the severity of it ...

Can I take someone's number just in case there are any issues tomorrow morning (problems with sticking my bike on the train for example)?

I'll PM you mine.

Can I also check (as the route is circular and so difficult to tell on a Garmin which direction we are travelling) which way we are heading out of Whalley. Is it Clitheroe Road, or Mitton Rd (past the station)?

Mainly anti-clockwise, so Clitheroe Road out, Mitton Road back.

Colin do you want a lift? Could pick you up say 9.30 from salem community center, just let me know before 10pm tonight.

I've PMd you Andrew, but yes please!

Have fun guys, I'm off to work now until sunday afternoon plus I'm still a bit too sore for long rides at the moment following recent unwanted body-road interfaces.

I've missed that - more than once - yikes! I hope you are okay?

I've bought the loosest Ron Hill Tracksters I could find to keep my legs warm tomorrow. I have a pair of old shorts to wear underneath of which I have ripped the outer right leg to take the squeeze off the painful vein. I reckon I've confirmed that my recent leg problem is a circulation one and not joint damage because jumping about chasing a frisbee and leaping over streams in Wales was fine, but sitting in cars, trains and coaches wearing only slightly tight trousers was really uncomfortable. I should probably buy myself a kilt for cycling in, in homage to my half-Highland ancestry. Could be a bit disturbing in strong winds though ...

English woman tourist to Scottish man: "Is anything worn under the kilt?"

Man (indignantly): "Och no madam - it's all in perrrrrfect working order!"

 

[potsy]

Carb loading on lettuce just like the weather jinxes, though mine has a kebab on the side

I'll meet Colin and co in the car park and ride down with you, don't want to get lost before the ride starts

 

[kiwi-Sal]

what time are we starting the ride then if Colin your getting a lift in?
snack wise....I have one dark chocolate orange flapjack, carb drink and museli bars oh and one gel pack left.....that should get me through the day.

 

[400bhp]

what time are we starting the ride then if Colin your getting a lift in?
snack wise....I have one dark chocolate orange flapjack, carb drink and museli bars oh and one gel pack left.....that should get me through the day.

My train arrives at 10:04. No harm in setting off when the last man arrives I suppose.

Snacks - nah, not for me.

 

[ColinJ]

I've just unfettled my bike back to old chain, old rings and old cassette on the grounds that I really don't want my gears slipping on the steep climbs and the old stuff didn't slip and my mixed set of old and new does. I'll literally grind what what is left of the old transmission away while I get order some new chainrings and then I'll swap over to all-new kit which is what I should have done in the first place!

what time are we starting the ride then if Colin your getting a lift in?
snack wise....I have one dark chocolate orange flapjack, carb drink and museli bars oh and one gel pack left.....that should get me through the day.

It will probably take close to 45 minutes to drive over, park at Spring Wood, get the bikes ready and ride down to the cafe. Actually, I'm now wondering if some people haven't noticed my post about the cafe, in which case I ought to stay at the car park until 10:30 to make sure and only then nip down to the cafe ...?

Let's stick to meeting at the cafe (or Spring Wood first) and setting off at 10:30-ish to allow time for everyone to arrive. People sometimes turn up unannounced at the last minute.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Sorry guys I've gotta cry off due to a minor family crisis. It's been bubbling under the surface for a few days but I was hoping for a work round, (hence getting the CAAD fettled), but I've not been able to arrange it.
My mate can't get there either without me.

Have a great day and ride safe

 

[potsy]

Shame that smokey, see you on another one.
That means it's me and Colin bringing up the rear again then

 

[smokeysmoo]

Shame that smokey, see you on another one.

I'm pretty gutted tbh but what can you do. All part of life's rich tapestry as my Father would say.

I will get on a forum ride, I will, I will, I will

 

[Ajay]

I won't be on the ride today, but you guys have a good one without me!

 

[ColinJ]

Blimey - they are dropping like flies ...

Sorry you won't be able to make it, smokeysmoo and Ajay - we'll see you later in the year, no doubt?

 

[potsy]

here but very

 

[kiwi-Sal]

Looks like a great cycling day! see you guys there.

 

[DCLane]

Enjoy today's ride - hope to join you again sometime soon.

 

[potsy]

Turned out very nice, bit chilly on the descents but some decent bright weather really.
50+ miles and a small piece of chocolate shortbread
Just had time to upoad 1 picture