Beacon Fell

11/9/11
 
Riders
 
Sean,Tony P, Gill, Frank, Michelle, Liam, Peter (Liam's dad) Peter, Tony C, Julie, Doc Martin, Carl, Alex, Kate, Chris, Simon Andy
 
Mileage 40m
 
 
After a stinking week weather wise I was surprised to wake up to glorious sunshine. I got my bike ready the night before with new bar tape and a few more pounds in the old tyres.
We all met at Ponkies as normal and I could not believe so many people rolled up. Carl posted on the ride register and I thought he was messing, so when he rolled up I was really shocked, it was great to see him out. Tony p was also coming part way good to see he is getting back to normal.
Well, after a bit of a chin wag I decided to get the show on the road, briefed the group on the route and delegated Frank as back marker.
We had just left Freckleton when I came a cropper and fell off. I ended up at the bottom of the ditch and Carl had to pull me out and Julie rescued my water bottle. I think I was very lucky I only had a grazed leg and a stiff neck. Well all brushed off and back on the bike and away we went. We headed to beacon fell via Kirkham, Treales, Woodplumtom, Broughton and Inglewhite.
Tony p and Simon peeled off at Woodplumtom and we rolled on.
The pace was a steady 15mph with a few lads pacing ahead but they waited at the junctions.
Once we reached the base of Beacon Fell the fun began all on bottom rings and the hard work kicked in.
I, being out of shape, had to stop and get off but Carl came steaming past like a man possessed. The girls also did well putting me to real shame.
(back to the gym I think)
As we were climbing we passed some young teenage boys on mountain bikes and bmxs who sounded like they were having a great time. It is great to see youngsters can still get out instead off Xboxing it all day.
The cafe was a bit of a squeeze but we managed it and the food we great and the staff pleasant.
Once fed and watered we agreed to head to old Nell's then pick up the route 90.
All the hard work was paid off by a long decent back down the fell which every body enjoyed.
Some of the lads missed the turning onto the 90 so Frank had to catch them up and lead them home (just goes to show don't race off if ya don't know the way)but we did not see them again till we got home.
Alex took over the navigation and took us down some roads we do not use very often which made a nice change, will use them again in the future.
The kirkham road dash was a bit thin today with our resident sprinters absent t (Alan Matt Derek and Frank on club duty) but Tony C took up the pace but yet again Carl blasted past me. I thinking he has got a new turbo trainer in his garage.
All safe and sound back to the pub the brake away lads was there and the debrief began.
Peter, Helen's other half, turned up on his restored bike which looked really well.
I hope Liam's dad enjoyed his ride and hope to see him again. I think this ride was the perfect ride to introduce to a new cyclist because it had everything and the weather held off.
It was also great to see some old faces ie chis and Carl.
 
680m total for NWAAS