RSF Tandem Guild Wheel Run

The tandem has had it's first proper Rough Stuff Fellowship ride. It has been christened (though still doesnt have a name yet).
Our RSF winter rides tend to be more in the Western areas of Lancashire (where it's a bit flatter) to avoid any adverse Pennine Winter Weather that might make a winter ride need to be cut short.  Although west Lancs winter rides can be very muddy, which can feel a lot like hill climbing... not on the Guild Wheel! The 21 mile route is well surfaced and signposted, so anyone can enjoy the route. 
Stephen & I have done the GW a couple of times already, so to make things more interesting we cycled to and from the meet, making a 45 mile round trip.

The lunch stop near Catforth

cyclists infront & more behind

For a cool, grey Northern day we had a great turn out and there were smiles for the whole ride.  Finally someone from my work took us up on the invitation to join a ride and I'm pleased to say that she was still smiling by the end. Phew.

Brian's pic of us all

One rider had come all the way from Derbyshire for the day! 

Other riders had cycled from Chorley and Southport. Cycle routes to the Guild Wheel are great from all directions (Sustrans mapping shows the National Cycle Network routes)

Brian's pic of S, me near the Docks

Brian's pic of W Lancs lanes

we said our goodbyes

After a leisurely few hours, we took the tandem back to the hills.  Last time we tried an off-road route home, which was not rideable on the tandem, so we tried a new route (to us) following part of the Lancashire Cycleway and were rewarded with some beautiful evening sunshine.

Lancashire Cycleway

It's slightly uphill

sunset looking towards Ribble Valley

End of Summer mini-tour

This week's been so busy at work, I've not had chance to post about last weekend's mini-tour.  A sign that weekends are for making the most of and I'm long overdue a holiday.

Last weekend S & I had our first mini-tour. We joined with some other cyclists for a trip up the coast to Morecambe. The forecast was for dry weather, so we took a big chance and packed very very light. I had everything in one of those sandwhich cool bags bungeed onto my pannier rack (yes, I really need to invest in actual panniers).

We hit the coast and followed the promenade through Blackpool to Fleetwood where we filled the little ferry that took us over the tidal estuary in two loads. Not because our group was so massive, but because the ferry is so small.
It was a fast ride up to get to the ferry in time - the last run is based on the tide times so we pushed it all the way. Some fun bits racing up the coast path, but it did feel increasingly hard as we neared the ferry.

Knott End Ferry + Bikes

Our 4o'clock lunch stop! Knott End Cafe is brilliant - maybe that was because I was in need of food, but I actually think it was amazing. Cheese, apple, chilli & onion chutney toastie. Mmm! Good combo.

We skirted the flat lanes through North Lancashire villages over the Lancaster Canal near Glasson and followed the cycle path up the River Lune into Lancaster.  This is a lovely town, but no stopping today - we headed straight for check in at the b&b on Morecambe's front.

The Lancaster Canal - Glasson Branch

Lancaster

Ian's pic of his riders arriving. The Midland Hotel behind us.

After checking in and showering to reinvigorate ourselves, we hit the town. There was an end of summer seaside festival on so a lovely happy atmosphere was everywhere - fairground rides, an openair pop concert and a firework display. We had a lovely tea at McThai's (bargain Thai food and good portions - ideal after a day in the saddle) and then found a bar that was timewarped to the 80s - very cheap, still decorated like a pub you'd see on Only Fools and Horses, the locals in there were all friendly and I'll certainly go back.  As I fell asleep after drinking the equivalent of a bottle of red and some tia maria, I had a slight worry that when I set off in the morning, I'd be riding all of 5 mins before wanting to throw up...

But no need to have worried. I felt fresh as a daisy- not a touch of roughness at all.

Day 2 was slightly slower, phew! We headed inland to skirt the Trough of Bowland over gentle hills and through village lanes in some rare British summer sunshine once it broke through the clouds.

The Lakeland Fells over Morecambe Bay

 We followed the NCN6 south through Scorton and down towards Barton and headed for the Preston Guild Wheel for a final cake stop and where S & I would leave the group to head back home. A final 13ish miles of uphill & the discovery of some lanes that we will be exploring this weekend.

River Ribble

 A lovely weekend's riding that certainly took our minds off how busy work has been lately.

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 :-)

Preston Guild Wheel RIde

Today we took advantage of a rare dry day to ride a new regional route that's due to be officially opened next month, The Preston Guild Wheel which circumnavigates the city http://www.prestonguild2012.com/guild-wheel

We set off on the Witton Weavers Way and I ventured into areas I'd never been before.  A lovely ride through the borough of Blackburn with some beautiful undulating roads and lovely little villages towards Preston.

Darwen Tower from Pleasington

We headed for the newly opened nature reserve at Brockholes which links a number of cycle routes and is where we joined the Guild Wheel.  We went anti-clockwise, which in terms of hills was possibly slightly more challenging than the other direction. But there was a good mix of ups & some cracking downs. The paths are in great condition and it's a pretty route.  Some glass is already on the trails, and hopefully it wont get worse. Thankfully no punctures.

Some of the signs were missing and it took some skillfull detective work and the use of some phone apps to be sure we were on the right track.  I imagine all the signs will be in place for the opening in afew weeks time.

A coffee and cookie at the docklands about 3/4s of the way round the wheel helped keep us going for the last 15ish miles back home (spot the boat bicycle)

Preston Docklands

The cookie certainly helped on the last few miles drag back up into the Pennines.
Really looking forward to seeing which route the NCN6 will take betweek Blackburn and Preston once it's finished, but for now, the road will have to do.
.