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. |
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 :-)
