the_ever_shrinking_run_12_06_11

The case of the ever shrinking Sunday run - from Allan Stark

The first couple of Sundays in June have coincided with what can best be described as iffy weather. Even so a few (fool)hardy souls have managed to keep Southport jerseys visible around the lanes. Yesterdays (12 June) run started in fine dry conditions, but the forecast of bad weather moving in from the South was enough to deter most of the Southport peloton, with only Danny Burdekin and Gary Moscrop setting out from the Plough to be joined by Steve Duffell, Bill, Wally and Alan along Tarleton's 'Straight Mile'.

Steve didn't fancy a potential soaking, so nipped back home as we passed Penwortham, and Danny dropped off at Preston arena, as he'd something to do before heading home. That left a select and sociable group of four who took the wise decision to head over to Catforth for a brew, ( one of the best value brew stops in the area - with tea + beans on toast for just £4) before heading homewards via the Docks. By this stage the southerly wind had strengthened, and by the time we reached Longton it was time to 'cape up' to prevent a proper soaking -- though I guess Wally and Gary drew the short straws as Bill and I could bale out respectively for Tarleton and Leyland.

The previous week saw a slightly larger group set off from Tarleton in dull and breezy conditions, comprising Bill, Wally, Lennie, Alan, plus Dave and Paul? from Ormskirk. We were joined at Walmer Bridge by Pete Leonard, who then received a phone call from Arthur saying he was a little late but 'on his way'. He duly joined us about 10 minutes later - but so did the persistent drizzle. Dave & Paul had not brought rain jackets, so headed homewards, whilst the rest of us set off across the Fylde via as many sheltered lanes as Pete could find, towards the Cafe De Lune at Conder Green. We briefly stopped en route to shout encouragement ( hurl abuse) at Steve Duffell & Robbie Whitfield who were competing the LVRC vet's road race. The drizzle stopped after the lunch stop, and we made our way back at a sociable pace via Galgate, Scorton, Barnacre & Inglewhite, sticking to the sheltered lanes to keep out of the steady crosswind. A good run with everyone clocking up around 90 miles at around 16.5mph, and Wally breaking the 100 mile mark by the time he got back to Lydiate.

Here's hoping for warmer and drier weekends to come ( though I'll not be holding my breath -- this is the British Summer after all!)

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