A fantastic turn out this morning with what must have been nearly 50 riders keen to start their 2012 fitness campaign – and anxious to get the miles in before the Llanberis weekend. The short group set off first (let us know how you got on) and I went with the long group, led by Graham, out to the big climb up to the Hanging Gate pub and over to Allgreave. This climb is steep! I couldn’t see the action from my lanterne rouge position but I gather Dylan and our climbers set a cracking pace over the hill, and then patiently waited at the top for those of us without the right gears/legs. It’s good to see Howie back in action, and his battle with his 42/24 gearing was something to watch – as was some of the zig zagging and general cursing that was going on from other riders. The photo shows one of the last climbs on the sharp corner before the cafe – where Andy broke his chain – and had to manfully walk the last kilometre uphill to get his beans on toast.
Graham led us back via Wildboarclough and the climb over Macc. Forest – by this time the drizzle and mist rendered glasses useless, (and the photo I took of us all at the top of the Forest just came out as fog). The descent to the reservoir and through Langley was fairly hairy in the wet.
Despite the poor conditions this was an excellent run – thanks to Graham and everyone for setting such a steady pace and keeping us all together – we had 19 at the start and remarkably still had 18 at the cafe (John Keen turned off early) and we all stayed together on the return leg until I punctured at Siddington and Kev and I stopped to fix it.
Ticks go to Graham, Dylan, Alan K, Kev, Kris, Jules, John Conboy, Andy, Howie, Elaine and eldest son Paul, Kevin, James Risk, Derek, Carol, new rider (and great climber) Neil, and another new rider (only 16 and doing really well) Titch. Thanks for your company!
Sounds like you had a good one El. Smashing ride Saturday in the forest too – I've put some pictures and a report on the bogblog