Inevitably as the days get shorter and colder, so do the rides, and after some heavy snow during the week, it was looking increasingly unlikely we'd get a ride at all today.  We were peasantly surprised to wake to a fine morning, and after leaving Whalley the light cloud that there was soon lifted to reveal a cold, but sunny day.  There was no snow left on the ground, but the hill tops were still all white in the distance, making for some great views.

Heading out through Great Mitton, Chaigley and Walker Fold, we soon arrived at Chipping for an early lunch at the Cobbled Corner.

After lunch, we headed further west, in the direction of Beacon Fell, before turning south, and into Longridge, where we stopped at the Little Town Dairy for afternoon coffee before returning via Ribchester, Dinckley and Old Langho.

Published: 22 November 2016

Despite serious overnight thunderstorms and ominous skies 8 riders turned out at 7am to tackle our 100 mile Challenge ride, our first in many years. From Whalley the group climbed through the Pendleside villages of Wiswell, Worston, Downham and Rimington, crossing the A59 at Gisburn. By the time we reached Settle all the riders were ready for breakfast, and pleased they'd covered 27 miles before our normal start time. Skirting the edge of the Dales at Austwick and Clapham the group then turned south west through the gentler Lune Valley. Fortunately the weather held dry with light or no wind and we made rapid progress towards Lancaster having covered half our distance. The excellent off road cycle paths took us to the Millenium Bridge at Lancaster and on to Glasson Dock for another feeding station.

The homeward route was mercifully flat crossing the Fylde to Garstang, Great Eccleston, and Inskip. The group split a little around Longridge, but following the short last climb at Marles Wood the 100 mile mark was reached around Old Langho, and all riders completed the ride by around 7pm. Congratulations to Lee Holden, Peter Bradford, Dorothy Altham, and John Yardley for completing their first 100 mile rides. Also completing the ride were Mark Clegg, Jim Duerden, John Ramsden and Harry Taylor.

Published: 02 September 2016

Sunday, 24th July 2016, saw 19 riders from Burnley and Pendle CTC and Blackburn and District CTC set out from Whalley bus station on our 100km challenge ride.

Our destination today was Knott End, heading out on familiar roads through Ribchester and Longridge where we took the B5269 to Broughton, Elswick and Great Eccleston. It was a dry morning, with just the chance of the odd shower in the afternoon. Once the terrain had flattened out, as it does as you head towards the coast, the pace picked up, and we soon made our way through Pilling and over the Toll Bridge at Cartford.

We then headed up through Stakepool and on to Knott End were we had a well earned lunch at the Knott End Cafe, just escaping a heavy downpour. After lunch, the rain had stopped, and we enjoyed a good view over the River Wyre to Fleetwood's North Euston Hotel and Lighthouse where we could hear a brass band playing at the launch of their new lifeboat.

We then headed around the coast taking the coastal path for a mile or so, with Heysham powerstation clearly visible across Morcambe Bay.

Heading back inland through Nateby towards Garstang, and the clouds were gathering. Waterproofs were donned, the rain stopped, and the waterproofs came off again. A process which was repeated several times as we passed through Inglewhite, back into Longridge and on to the finish by the bridge over the Ribble at Ribchester.

A big congratulations to all those that finished.

Except, that wasn't the end, we'd set off in Whalley, so we had another 7 miles to ride back home, so our 100km turned into about 110.

Published: 26 July 2016

Taking a departure from our usual stomping grounds, in weather that we hope to get for the rest of summer, our ride for today started at Holme Chapel, heading down through Todmorden into the market town of Hebden Bridge.

Our route was to take us over Cragg Vale, made famous in the 2014 Tour de France, the longest uninterrupted ascent in England, rising almost 1,000 feet in 5.5 miles.  Respect for this climb could be seen all along the road surface where fans had written the names of famous cyclists, Wiggo being a prominent feature.  Other noticeable additions were kilometre markers across the road. I'm not sure whether knowing how far we still had to climb helped, or hindered.  

Once at the top we took a well deserved rest by the edge of Blackstone Edge Reservoir, before the long descent through Littleborough to Hollingworth Lake for our scheduled lunch stop.

After lunch we returned through Littleborough before heading north back towards Todmorden, where the medium and short distance riders parted company.

The short ride heading over Sharneyford into Bacup, and then returning to the start via Deerplay moor.

Those on the medium ride, turned right towards Mankinholes and Eastwood, past Yorkshire's answer to the New York Flatiron building (see photos), before dropping back into Hebden Bridge along the canal towpath for coffee and cakes at "The Electric Bike Den" (where we did not succumb to the charms of the electric motor!.)

Refreshments over, and as temperatures reached almost 30 degrees, we headed for Church Lane and the "ascent" to Blackshaw Head (even electric assist wouldn't get you up here!), before returning to the start along the Long Causeway to Mereclough and Cliviger.

Published: 06 June 2016

The stunning spring weather brought out 15 riders to the start of our Beginners ride. Some were completely new riders whilst others were returning to club cycling. We left Langroyd and quickly got onto the quiet lane behind and above the main road at Foulridge with fine views of the Craven valley. Emerging at Kelbrook we had to do tackle some main road through Thornton in Craven but turned off by the Tempest Arms onto a lovely quiet lane to Elslack and the Broughton estate. Crossing over the A59 we climbed over towards Gargrave with fine views of the western end of the Yorkshire Dales.

An extended and welcome break was taken at the famous Dalesman cafe in Gargrave before returning, in increasingly summer like temperatures, via Bank Newton, West Marton, Barnoldswick and the canal bank to Foulridge. We just tipped the 20 mile barrier.

Next Beginners ride Saturday 4th June 10.00am at Spring Wood car park near Whalley.

Published: 09 May 2016

Well, the end of March didn't go out with a whimper. We were treated to a varied mix of weather for our run out to Cobble Hey.

Setting off from Springwood Car Park in the bright spring sunshine, we knew we were in for a mixed day, but were hoping for the best. Six of us rode out through Whalley and Mitton before heading over Hodder Bridge, up through Chaigley, around Longridge Fell, and up to Chipping.

Carrying on through Bleasdale, the weather took a change, waterproofs were donned, but we carried on regardless, battling rain and hail.  By the time we got to Cobble Hey, however, it had cleared up and we had started to dry out..

We were joined at Cobble Hey by Ray, Jim and Jackie, who had started out late, but had battled the elements to catch up.

It rained again over lunch, but seemed fine when we left on our route to Longridge. We were mistaken, we now had to endure rain and thunder almost until Longridge, when the sun again made an appearance.

Heading down to Ribchester, turning left once over the Ribble, and up our favourite hill, we were met by a glorious view of Pendle Hill in the distance. Bathed in sunshine and covered in hail, under low fluffy white clouds and an ontherwise clear blue sky.

It all goes to show, we can still have a great ride, whatever the weather.

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Published: 27 March 2016