Cycling Convergence

Three routes, one lunch stop. That was the plan last saturday.
Our cycle club's family-friendly saturday riders were doing their ten miler along the reservoir, Ian's A-team riders were coming about 25 miles on the road from West Lancs and we decided to do the super good fun off road downhill to meet both groups.
The torrential rains had loosened the stones on our path, so we didn't zoom quite as much as usual just to be on the safe side. But it was still hugely great fun.  Alas when bouncing along my cyclometer bounced off my bike never to be seen again...

Since last riding along The Goit, some work has been done to improve the surface - where it used to be like cycling through inches of treacle, now there were very few muddy patches, even after all the rain we've had. A track that once worked my thighs more than any other bit of flat, now had me sailing along putting in little effort.

no more mud - look at the lovely surface

a lone duck

Anglezarke Reservoir from Healey Nab

There was a bit of a delay getting to the lunch point when one of the paths ended up being closed for maintenance, but we heaved the bikes over the wall and into a field (that some other cyclists doing the same ensured us was also a right of way...).  I did have my trusty OS map in my bag so could have changed course, but it was already 12o'clock.
We made it to the lunch stop in time to meet the short ride riders and piled down pie chips and peas at Rivington Hall. And then waited. And a little more waiting. Just as we were about to set off back, Ian's group rounded the corner. They'd been delayed by multiple punctures.  Well now I'd have a bit longer to digest my mound of food at least.

We joined the A-team riders for the next few miles - some of us broke off to take a steep off road route, the others carried on road. Lovely views at the top and Blackpool Tower could be seen on the skyline.

Ken makes every hill look easy

Yes that is a balloon on the bike!

Some lovely swooping hills before a tea break at a rather undulating cricket club at White Coppice. We rode another few miles with the group before making our way back home on the Leeds Liverpool Canal.
A lovely days riding with great company is one of my favourite things to do at the weekend.