Geoff_and_Lads_on_the_fiddle_07_10_12

Geoff Lovelady and his Lads on the Fiddle 07/10/12

This annual ride of 55 miles is also called The Brian Rourke Ride as he used this route as a training ride and like the Bill Bradley is quite hilly with 4400ft of climbing. It starts(and ends) in Stoke on Trent, through Cheshire and Derbyshire and back to Staffordshire.

This year I had my sons Matthew and James with me doing this route for the first time and did'nt see any other of SCC members(even super Vet Ken Davies cried off choosing Sorrento in stead) We set off in fog and very chilly conditions but the atmosphere generated by plenty of other riders from far afield was as good as ever.The fog thinned at Congleton and at Macclesfield gone to alow the sun to show and welcome as ever.

The Cat&Fiddle starts here and for about 7 miles of steady climbing. At the top my chest was sore(have had a bad cold all week) and nothing in my legs.Superb descent down to the A53 and a turn right towards Leek rewarded with another 2 mile climb over Axe Edge and now sharing the road with Scamells,Leylands,Thames Traders and Bedfords on a vintage commercial rally and that was nice to see.The next 3 to 5 miles is a drop into Leek --a constant 45mph freewheeling buzz if ever there was one---thats where the Peleton went past!!

The route then takes a B road and a few more leg testers. The sign saying 2.75 miles to Burslem (and finish) was very welcome as my usual dose of cramp was hovering.Today a long standing ambition was achieved --doing a cracking ride with both sons in wonderful weather.Thanks to Highonbikes for the Cliff bars they certainly helped us on the way.

Just a sour note though was the number of empty Gels littering the roads in some very nice countryside--that does need sorting!

Geoff,Matthew & James Lovelady

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