The week in rides

It's been a busy week, both on & off the bike. I cant believe it's almost monday morning again.

This week I lead my first Rough Stuff Family Friendly ride. It's usually just Brian's & his family on these (they're on holiday), but I thought I'd try a new route and give leading a go. I expected nobody would turn up. I had one rider - Geoff came over for the sedate 13 miles between Towneley Park & Gawthorpe via the canal, by the River Calder & back on the Padiham Greenway.  Geoff's great company on a ride & with only one other in tow, I didnt really feel like I was being a ride leader. At least there weren't too many mishaps...

Geoff's picture of Gawthorpe Hall

Towneley Park

The other major event this week was the official opening of the Preston Guild Wheel - there was a charity bike ride to mark the opening of the 21 mile circular greenway.  I put my name down to marshall.  I managed a lovely 25 mile ride there in the sunshine, met up with some Rough Stuffers for a brew & a gab, only to end up riding the last ten minutes to my marshal point in some mean rain.  Cycling in rain is alright when you're prepared. But standing around pointing for 3 & a bit hours with no shelter is a bit bobbins.  Happily most riders seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the route despite the weather. Two young boys had done 4 miles on scooters and said they were doing the whole loop; I wonder if their parents knew.
I didnt quite make the full ride home. Suffered a puncture almost half way, which wasnt far from my other half's house, so ended up cutting my planned 50 miles down to 38, but given the weather, I didnt mind too much.


Photo highlight of the week was...

sending S through a water splash that was much much deeper than we'd bargained for. Oops.

I also managed some rides to visit friends in various bits of the county too for brews and food.

Phew. Couldnt have packed much more into this week. I need a day of rest, cant tomorrow be sunday markII ?!

Hope you managed to pack some great variety of rides into your week too :-)