Well, the plan was to go over to Tea on the Green at Chinley as a precursor to next weeks Wild Wales Challange, however, I had already suspected that Tea on the Green may not be large enough with everyone making a last ditch effort to get miles and hills in the legs, so I had a plan B. Sure enough when 18 rolled out the gate I put the alternative into action.
The No Car Cafe is situated at the top of the climb out of Chapel-le-Frith, just off the Sheffield Road before you reach Castleton, I found it on our Cafe website and I think it is the first visit there by the club.
So we set off with a few concerns that the group was too big, after, a brief discussion about maybe splitting it up, we elected to carry on as one group.
It was great to see 17 of the 18 on the ride wearing WVCC jerseys, with only new member Alan Kemp letting the side down, maybe once he has been with us another 20 years he will fall in line😜!
We also saw the return of prodigal son Iain Young in glorious technicolour rather than just making do with selfies from Facebook😂!
So we headed out via Goostrey, Marton and Gawesworth and with Jules and I setting a steady pace, into Prestbury and then to Bollington for the first climb of the day, Blaze Hill😵! As expected Iain and Geoff decided to stick their nose on the front to set the pace, I stuck with them and soon it was just the 3 of us, however, Blaze hill proved this bit too steep for me and I slipped back off their wheels before the first hill topped out, we continued to the Macclesfield Road for a re-group.
We than headed to Whaley Bridge, which includes three quick descents and one ascent before the long climb through Chapel-le-Frith which did a great job of spreading us out. We regrouped at the turn off to the cafe, I counted them in, Mike Flanagan arrived with a rattle on his bike he got off and his seat promptly fell apart, he stuck the bits in his pockets and rolled down to the cafe, being careful not to sit down 😳! We were still 2 missing, I checked my phone, I had a missed call from Steve Lucas, I phoned him back and he informed me that we had lost Paddy on the climb, he was in contact with him by phone though so he had returned down the hill to find him and he would see us at the Cafe.
The Cafe was a great find proper Beand on toast with nice cob white bread along free flowing tea and coffee, back one table for 2, we had filled the place. Certainly one to return to. Steve texted my to let me know he had found Paddy, they were at the Chestnut Centre, I suggest rather climb us the rest of the hill, to stay there for lunch as we were going back that way.
We finished much and began the fast long descent to Whaley Bridge before the steady climb of Long Hill to the Goyt Valley, again there were a few struggling to hold on rode up at the own pace. By the time we climbed out of the Goyt Valley (and what a fantastic ride it is), Paddy was really struggling, as there was still a bit of climbing to go, Steve suggested carry on without them.
We headed up to the cat and fiddle had a regroup before the descent down to Macclesfield, and then home via Broken Cross, Siddington and Goostrey.
Another fantastic day in the staddle, with a great group of friends showing that if they out there mind to it, the long run isn’t sacrey after all😃👍🚴
I finished with 100 miles and 6148 ft of elevation gain.
Next week, the big one!