It was definitely time to put Mow Cop back on the club run scene. Normally only reserved for long runs, we decided it would be a good idea to give it a go, then try out a new club run cafe highly recommended by one of us who had spotted a sign last time we were out that way that way and headed out again on a on a retiree jaunt – ‘Great little cafe, just turn heading to the pub, and you’ll see it’*
We met as per usual on a sunny day at the club with a healthy bunch gathered, inlcuding new club runner Colin, who a the suggested of Mow Cop suggested it might ba a ‘baptism of fire’ – ‘Nah, you’ll be fine’ I said.
Perhaps put off by the beast of the hill, many joined the longer run, and we soon were on our way as a healthy sized group of a round 10 or so.
Out through the usual lanes through Davenham, Lach Dennis, Allostock, Goostrey Swettenham etc, two of our number peeled off for a slightly flatter jaunt, whilst the rest of smacked our lips at the challenge ahead.
Soon we were again over the level crossing gates, and I stopped the group for an enforced breather, but Geoff ignored this. He was on a mission, and carried on at the foot of the hill…
Advising those who hadn’t been up before to stick it on the granny ring almost immediately, we were off. Once again, Go Pro on the bars, I set off last to record the ascent with a few more in the group than the previous visit. There were a few more cars on the route today, but nonetheless, the same hill. The video is below:
As can be seen, there were a few who didn’t quite get there! Cruel. But there you go.
White flags, yes, but Derek was victorious. Al wondered where his lungs had gone, but was nursing a hangover from the day before (we all have our excuses).
I have me and Derek who rode the whole Killer Mile without a foot down/stop and Andy H. and Geoff as getting to the top of the hill itself to the junction – although Andy was scuppered by traffic at the junction and went back down the 25% ramp to come up again for completeness!!
Breathing and gasping, we recovered, and then dropped down the steep exits from the hill, to pedal only a few miles to the main road where we headed in the direction of the Radway Green traffic lights to look for the sign to the cafe. *’Down a track’ Jim had advised earlier. I had seen it on the map on Google. We’d see it easy.
Saw the pub sign – The Old Mill, then saw the ‘Hall Farm Shop’ sign, as we saw the road(!)
‘Left’ we shouted at the very last second and immediately turned left. Fortunately, so did everyone else, and we pedalled up the lane to the cafe. Bikes parked, we marched in en masse, to the smiling faces of the cafe staff, and assaulted them with orders of the usual.
A great cafe, and shortly to be added to the cafe map, this is now the cafe to go to when heading out that way. Great food, fantastic service, and good prices! We’ll be back – the cafe have been forewarned. The cherry and almond cake was excellent. The beans on toast was hot, the tea was great. 🙂
Like a plague of locusts had visited, we left the cafe having devoured everything edible.
Looking then at the every greying skies, with clouds looming low an ominous, we decided on a direct route home, hoping to beat the rain. We didn’t, and were gifted with a lovely wash of fresh rain from the heavens. Al had already pointed us in the proper direction though, and we were soon back home(ish), and the run was done.
Great run, great cafe, and well stretched legs up the Killer Mile… 🙂