THANKS EVERYONE! 
That went better than I could possibly have hoped for!
There was a great turnout - I didn't do a headcount but I reckon at least 35, maybe a few more.
It was a cool, misty start but the sun came out later and we had wind-assistance up the Trough, hardest climb of the day, and then a great wind-assisted run down to the cafe. We did have to pay for that with a blustery cross/headwind all the way back to Spring Wood, but it was warm and dry so that made it bearable.
I didn't manage to speak to everyone, but thank you all for turning out. I enjoyed riding with those of you that I did end up with.
Special thanks to
@Steve H for not only ferrying me both ways, but also waiting about 90 minutes for me to get back to Spring Wood. (He did spend most of that time in a pub, so it wasn't all bad news for him!)
There was some confusion just before Galgate on the return leg. I was having a pee behind a hedge and somehow my group all failed to notice that
@tubbycyclist and maybe one or two others had gone on ahead. We were convinced that they were behind us so we waited for them, then sent search parties back down the road. I tried phoning him, but there was no reply. Eventually, he contacted us from Longridge, a few miles ahead of us. I think I tried ringing him, but may have been distracted by Steve H ringing me at about the same time. Sorry about the mix-up tc - I hope you got back ok?
My fitness was better than I expected. I got round a lumpy 104 km (65 mile) wind-blasted route without any problems. I am still not fully fit, but am making good progress week-by-week, and am already fitter than I was before I got ill in 2012. Not carting 55 pounds of extra fat up steep hills makes things a lot easier!
I didn't take any photographs this time because so many other people were doing it. I hope a good selection get posted in this thread or user albums over the next few days.
Thanks to
@Arch and
@Night Train for the pieces of cake and for dog-sitting so that
@coffeejo could come out with us! I ate the cake while luxuriating in a nice Radox bath.
I thought this ride was on tomorrow and had planned on riding to the start to say a few hellos.
Not a lot of point now! Will have to aim for Colins next one then.
Nice day for it though.
That's a pity!
Next forum ride of mine might well be in June. Meanwhile, there should be a slow group of us doing SITD 2 weeks tomorrow. (I intend to do it unless the weather is bad.)
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