The final ride in this years series of Challenge Rides brings the total distance up to 100 miles.
Five riders were up at the crack of dawn for the 7am start at Whalley bus station. Setting off on very quiet lanes with thick mist lying low in the valleys, we headed north through Pendleton and Downham, Gisburn and Wigglesworth before stopping at the Singing Kettle in Settle for an early morning bacon butty.
We continued north towards Helwith Bridge before turning west through Clapham and Bentham, Wray and Claughton before stopping again at Bull Beck picnic area neat Caton for lunch.
Suitably refreshed, we left the road, using the cycleway into Lancaster, and on to Glasson Dock where a very welcome ice-cream stop awaited.
Back on-road, we next headed south towards Garstang, and the Toll bridge at Cartford before turning back east through Inskip Broughton and Longridge. In Ribchester we faced final climb of the day up past Marles Wood and then the final descent back to Whalley
Congratulations to all five riders:
- Pete Bradford
- John Yardley
- Jim Cooper
- Mick Stone
- Mark Clegg
... and a special mention to Mick Stone for being the only rider to complete all four of this years Challenge rides.