Seven of us arrived pretty well together, and early, at the
kerbside on Accrington Road. A friendly cyclist who had also arrived by car,
was soon interrogating us with the zeal of Michael Crick. Although our conversation was polite, I had
the feeling that he was a bit of a nutter, and was happy to escape with the
others to Tastebuds for a cuppa. I didn't want to eat there, as our lunch stop
was going to be early. The staff were expecting us, and very friendly in that
warm, unpretentious Lancashire way. I began to wonder if Tom was held up, or
wasn't coming, so I gave him a ring. The sleepy voice on the end of the 'phone
wasn't Tom's, but his son's. It was established that Tom's car was not on the
drive, just as the man himself entered the cafe, still in time to have a
coffee.
We started bang on time: Steves Haywood and Tan, Bob, Macca,
Keith, Tom, George and myself. We cycled on a side road adjacent to Whalley
Abbey before heading north-west, passing over the Ribble just past Mitton Hall
– a great venue for a special occasion. We then pressed up a short steep bank,
and turned right just before the renowned Three Fishes restaurant. This took us
on a back lane past the ancient church at Great Mitton. Can you tell that the
Tourist Board paid me for this write-up?! We were soon climbing steadily and
easily to Browsholme Hall. At Cow Ark we partly followed the route of the Roman
road (York to Ribchester, I guess). At this point I decided to do a quiet and
scenic loop crossing the Hodder at Doeford Bridge, before joining a familiar
route of mine, which climbs past the wild boar farm, and provides a panoramic
view of the Forest of Bowland, before plunging down to Burholme Bridge. A flat
cruise alongside the Hodder soon has us at Puddleducks cafe at Dunsop Bridge, This
is a reliable favourite stop, and a prudent choice on this ride, as any further
sustenance cannot be guaranteed on the long leg to Settle. My hotpot pie and
red cabbage was just what I needed to face the challenges ahead. I think
Steve H had apple pie and custard for his early lunch- ah never mind, I suppose
our type of club is bound to have its share of old eccentrics! Dave Pipe would
have had the hotpot, and then the pie and custard!
Photos by Macca |
I can't make my mind up if knowing the exact nature of a
tough challenge ahead is an advantage, or if ignorance is bliss. I knew that
the next 25mls or so would be a testing, and hopefully exhilarating ride for
all of us. Newton was the next village, followed by a stiff climb by Great
Dunnow before whizzing down through attractive Slaidburn. The other side of the
river has a notorious mile or so of climbing including a hairpin bend. Steve
Tan had managed to knacker his rear gear hanger here in the past, but we
managed to shorten the chain, and he got home without his rear derailleur as I
recall. We passed Tinkler's Lane, part of the Lancashire Cycleway, and our last
chance to make an easy alternative route. However, the weather was fine, and
the tour needed to deliver as advertised. We turned left, speeding down to
Gisburn Forest and Stocks Reservoir. At
the causeway we could see people fishing from a small craft, idyllic on the
twinkling waters. Then, this was it! A hard, long, slow slog straight up School
Lane, then bending left into some more climbing through the forest. Coat Rakes
Bridge heralded a lung- bursting section
steeper than one-in-five, followed by a few hundred yards steeper than one -in
seven as we strove to stay aboard without stopping. Bob's heart monitor had redlined,
so he had wisely dismounted. He wasn't the only one! My triple chainset gave me
an advantage over some. Tanny and Tom were flying, but Keith was the revelation,
and was well ahead of Stephen and myself, as we concentrated on pacing
ourselves to the very top of Crutchenber Fell.
According to Steve Tan's data we
climbed 768 feet on this 3mile stretch. Macca took a photograph, as we all got
together on the craggy top.
Bob exclaimed that this was the toughest ride he
had ever been on, and asked if all “Special” rides were like this one! The short
answer was “No”, but I hope that the mighty climb and glorious descent will
stay as one of the special memories of riding with our club. I know it wasn't
climbing Ventoux by three different routes in a day, but for an old moderate
rider it was still a bit of a buzz. So, we did hurtle down past Clapham Common
for miles, with a panoramic view of the majestic peaks of the Yorkshire Dales
in front. Keith had a bit of unnerving headset play on the way down, but we
were soon heading east down Eldroth Road, in lovely scenery towards Giggleswick
and Settle. By the time we were crossing the A65 with about a mile and a half
to go, we had encountered a few more sharp banks, and a couple of the lads were
looking like dead fish. I was a bit concerned, and was starting to think of
contingency plans, being particularly mindful of what happened to Dave Pipe.
There turned out to be no reason to worry, as The Singing Kettle tea shop at
Settle worked its magic, and with plenty of good value food and drink down us,
everyone was pretty well rejuvenated on our easier, and far shorter, return
journey. Some of us were able to have a fun chat with a mother and daughter in
the cafe. They were visiting from Earby, and the mother had Alzheimer's. There
were some surreal and poignant moments in the conversation, but I think we all
appreciated the encounter. I guess Settle is worth a proper look around in the
future.
Returning down Ribblesdale gave us an easy start, bowling
along with our destination in site on the horizon: Pendle Hill. We were heading
for the end of its south east slope at the River Calder, that flows through
Whalley. Our first little hill was at Rathmel, but the topography ahead had
nothing for us to fear. At Wigglesworth we headed west for a mile
before turning left for Sawley. We stopped to ensure that nobody missed the
turn. I then followed Brian Mac on the long stretch to Holden. Brian had got a
second wind, and started to open a big gap. I only caught up with him when he
had a wobble over the bridge at Forest Becks. We stopped at the junction at
Holden. Bob was close behind. We waited, and waited, Evidently Keith had had a
problematic puncture. The incident showed that having switched on mobiles and
other riders' numbers, as well as efficient bike pumps is really useful, but
not half as useful as having Dave Pipe along! Once we were altogether we headed
for Worston, via Sawley and Chatburn. We have had cream teas in the past at the
pub in Worston, but today we carried on, crossing the A59, and then having an easy
cruise along the flat, quiet route of the old road to Whalley. We covered just
over 60 miles, and ascended 3,715feet according to Steve Tan. Steve Haywood
went to the cafe, but I think the rest of us just set off home. We had no
traffic problems, and I appreciated the company and the support for the ride at
such short notice. I know people are
often desperate to get out of Wales, but it was a long drive, and I hope the
Welsh contingent felt that it was worth it. Steve and Tom's support for the
peloton was much appreciated, as was Macca's photography. Congratulation to
George for The Magpies promotion!
DH
Thanks for a great ride, Dave. Truly 'special'! And thanks for the photos, Brian; especially the B&W period one.
ReplyDeleteYes Dave H, thank you for a Very "Special" CER ride. Not sure what George had to do with N U F C 's promotion, unless he advised them on VAT fiddles
ReplyDelete