Dave has been planning for today’s ride over the last month but even he has no control over the weather, so although we have been enjoying beautiful autumn weather over the last few weeks the journey up the motorway to the Ribble Valley is distinctly wet! The ride start point is Whalley Abbey where Dave has arranged pre-ride refreshments at the café. Here we meet up with Tony and Jonathan Small who have made their own way to the Abbey. Then with everyone present its time for the off in light rain and with a heartfelt farewell from a local resident!
Dave leads us off at a steady pace past the impressive medieval church at Great Mitton heading for Hurst Green through the grounds of the impressive Stonyhurst College. Here we stop to admire the architecture while Glennys records the moment. Then looping back we re-cross the River Hodder and skirt around Longridge Fell before a comfort stop in Chipping. This pretty village and its cyclist’s café deserve more attention than we have time for today: perhaps next year? Turning northeast we head uphill until just before Wild Boar Park, Dave punctures. While a small group watch with encouraging remarks the puncture is fixed and we are off again. Riding quietly along at the back of the group I am struck by the peace and tranquillity of the area: even the sheep and cattle seem more relaxed than those on the Cheshire plain. It’s not hard to understand why Dave loves the area so much. Then we leave the ridge for an exhilarating swooping descent down to Burholme Bridge. By the time we make Dunsop Bridge it is 2.00pm so we stop at the café for a tea/coffee and cake. While Dave rings ahead to warn our lunch venue that we are running late the rest of us take the opportunity to chat, and with seven guest riders joining us from groups across the C&NWCTC area there is much to talk about. The ride to Waddington takes us through Whitewell with the river below us as we ride through the valley before turning uphill to Cow Ark past Browsholme Hall where, with only 10 minutes of riding before our eagerly awaited lunch stop, Jonathan punctures. Eventually arriving at the busy Lower Buck pub in Waddington at 3.45pm we are given a warm welcome and are relieved to find that food is still being served. It may be late but this is truly an inspired choice: an excellent range of cask ales from which I choose the Black Cat (its great to have the opportunity to try a good traditional mild) and a range of delicious home made meals to choose from. One couldn’t wish for a better stop.
Dave leads us off at a steady pace past the impressive medieval church at Great Mitton heading for Hurst Green through the grounds of the impressive Stonyhurst College. Here we stop to admire the architecture while Glennys records the moment. Then looping back we re-cross the River Hodder and skirt around Longridge Fell before a comfort stop in Chipping. This pretty village and its cyclist’s café deserve more attention than we have time for today: perhaps next year? Turning northeast we head uphill until just before Wild Boar Park, Dave punctures. While a small group watch with encouraging remarks the puncture is fixed and we are off again. Riding quietly along at the back of the group I am struck by the peace and tranquillity of the area: even the sheep and cattle seem more relaxed than those on the Cheshire plain. It’s not hard to understand why Dave loves the area so much. Then we leave the ridge for an exhilarating swooping descent down to Burholme Bridge. By the time we make Dunsop Bridge it is 2.00pm so we stop at the café for a tea/coffee and cake. While Dave rings ahead to warn our lunch venue that we are running late the rest of us take the opportunity to chat, and with seven guest riders joining us from groups across the C&NWCTC area there is much to talk about. The ride to Waddington takes us through Whitewell with the river below us as we ride through the valley before turning uphill to Cow Ark past Browsholme Hall where, with only 10 minutes of riding before our eagerly awaited lunch stop, Jonathan punctures. Eventually arriving at the busy Lower Buck pub in Waddington at 3.45pm we are given a warm welcome and are relieved to find that food is still being served. It may be late but this is truly an inspired choice: an excellent range of cask ales from which I choose the Black Cat (its great to have the opportunity to try a good traditional mild) and a range of delicious home made meals to choose from. One couldn’t wish for a better stop.
Photographs by Glennys Hammond
It’s after 5.00pm by the time we leave the pub so Dave wisely decides to shorten the route back to Whalley where we arrive just before 6.00pm with 40 miles completed and an appreciation of the rugged beauty and interest of the Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland. Many thanks Dave. All your planning and hard work paid off, for this was a truly memorable ride. A return trip next year? Yes please: you can put me at the top of the list.
BW
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