There was a big turnout at the Legion this morning with several new riders coming to join the beginners’ run, which Alan led to the ice cream farm. In the meantime, Ian led a wrinklies’ ride to Oswestry. So that left the rest of us – and there were quite a few – to choose a route and Kev suggested Allgreave via the steep hill in Macc Forest, which almost led to a mutiny until Graham suggested the easier route via Sutton Lane Ends. And so we set off, keeping nicely together until the long hill up to the motel, which we all took at our own pace. Once over the top we all relaxed and enjoyed the scenery – there is nowhere to beat these views over the Peak District, with Shutlingshoe looming above us. After beans at the cafe, (and much discussion about our holidays – and gradients: >20% in Cornwall for Carol, compared to <10% in the Alps – where they know how to build roads up hills – for Kev, me and Andrew).. we rode through Wildboarclough and up the short steep hill to Macc Forest where we stopped to catch our breath and get this photo…
…and then shot downhill to Langley Reservoir, somehow squeezing between a van and a car who had both decided to stop, one on the way up and one on the way down. They meant well – trying to let us past – but just caused chaos!
We rode home at a brisk pace, keeping the group together well. Great to see lots of newbies – and no fewer than FIVE girls – and a couple of riders stepping up very successfully from the short run. Thanks for a great ride to Kev x 2, Geoff x2 (mountain biker Geoff somehow ended up in a hedge on two occasions, demonstrating his extreme cycling credentials), Lee, Tony, Andrew, Elaine (who stormed her first long run), Carol, Paul and son Connor, Heather and dad Howard, Colin, Martin, Elaine, young Katie, Ewart and Graham.