Club_Run_Ribchester_18_May_14

Third Sunday of the Month goes to Ribchester

It was a healthy(ish) looking fourteen strong peloton that set off from the Plough on Sunday 18th May at 9.15am and it was already a warm, bright and sunny morning as the B Group riders took to the road. Today was the longer ‘third Sunday’ ride, led by Alan Stark, and we were heading for Ribchester.

With the notable exception of Chris ‘I had a bit of a late night’ Stone the group was pretty chirpy from the off. Bill Lloyd took to the front, despite still recovering from a relatively recent fall that had caused injury to his shoulder and broken a few ribs. Bill guided us in the early miles through New Longton, on to Lostock Hall and Walton le Dale. Earlier we’d caught a brief glimpse of the A Group riders as they passed us back in Longton headed north to Preston. We suspect they’d been hanging on to our wheels down the by-pass.

As we left Walton le Dale and headed up the hill the peloton was stopped in its tracks by a crunching sound which came from Maddy Scott’s bike. The front derailleur, caught by a chain link, had come away from the frame. Despite his late night, Chris Stone took control and soon had us back on track, albeit with Maddy stuck in the small front ring for the remainder of the ride.

The group settled again and quietened down as we embarked on the steady climb through Mellor and on to Top of Ramsgreave. Here we paused briefly in the pub car park - Spread Eagle (that’s the name of the pub not what most of us where like after the climb) taking in the view. By now the sun was hot and the fast decent to Ribchester with the cooling breeze was welcoming.

Lunch followed at Potter Barn café. The arrival of fourteen cyclists all at once seemed to fluster the staff a little and the prospect of some having egg as well as beans on toast was all a bit too much. We were eventually served to everyone’s satisfaction and in the end the owner wanted photos with us all for her Facebook page!

After more photos and overcoming a general reluctance to move from the café, it was Alan who led us out of Ribchester up to Longridge and through Goosnargh and Woodplumpton to Preston. A puncture (Maddy again!) held us up briefly in Preston then it was Col de Penwortham and home (mostly) via the by-pass.

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A lovely ride on a fine day and great fun. Thanks to Alan and to Bill. Looking forward to the next ‘third Sunday’ run.

Peter Scott 20/05/2014 Slideshow pictures Michael Lloyd.

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