Some thoughts from Friday's reccy:-
I may have to move the start since there's a lot of construction work going on around Albert Square (Metrolink, the arrogant bastards). No doubt part of the chaos was due to the ring of steal* around the Tory Party conference. I'll have another look when they've crawled back under their stones. I checked out Victoria Station and it offers lots of space, a bar plus it's en-route. I'll come back to you on this and I'll provide maps/routes to get there if I do have to move the start.
We didn't stop in Bury but I nodded in Alan's direction as we rode past. We shall stop on the FNRttC for a few minutes.
I took a different route to last year with the aim of including more pretty lanes. It was a mistake; they all look the same in the dark so we'll stick to last year's route. Keep it simple.
If we're struggling or running late, we'll make extensive use of the A6 after Garstang; it's flat, straight and there's very little traffic early in the morning.
It was very cold when Martin and I rode. It was clear going over over the moors before Blackburn and then it got misty and damp after Ribchester.
The hills to Longridge were as I expected but I found it surprisingly difficult afterwards; I had thought that the terrain was more “flowing”.
Make no mistake, this is a difficult ride and the weather could make it even more so.
I need a responsible adult to take over the ride lead after Pickup Bank and take the group to the McDonalds stop. I'll wait for the tail end and take them there. Those hills are really going to string us out and there's no point in re-grouping high up on the moors; we'll, likely, just get cold plus a staggered arrival at the McDs will help avoid queueing.
Also on the subject of food, I'll organise a poll about breakfast. Do we want to use the friendly cafe with the crap food that we've gone to in the past or should we ride to Lancaster Wetherspoons (after the obligatory photos with Eric on the sea-front) and eat there ?
Lights. Bring your big guns. It's very dark in the lanes and we'll be out for a long time so make sure that your batteries are fully charged. I hesitate to give lighting advice to FNRttCers but I strongly recommend a second front light and to turn your big lights off when you're going uphill slowly; it'll help to save the batteries. My lights did OK (got me back to Preston in the mist) but I'm seriously considering fitting a dyno hub to the Disco for this ride since dawn will be even later. Don't forget that cold weather will reduce run times.
Clothes. Bring lots, you'll (probably) need them. Put them on before we start climbing so that the group isn't hanging around high up. Use zips for venting.
If the weather is truly vile, I have (unreccied) alternatives although we're still going to have to climb high onto the moors at some point.
Finally, many thanks to Martin for his excellent company and patience as I slowed him down on the hills and then proceeded to get us lost …........
I shall take a map next time.
*Deliberate.
.
) find his way to the start. His train gets in at 22.00 IIRC so there is some time to pass before the ride starts.
