I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
Met @ColinJ & @Littgull at Wilmslow and rode to Tatton Park to catch up with me old mate @skudupnorth .
Now time to get to bed ready for tonights night shift
Now time to get to bed ready for tonights night shift
Don't encourage him to fit an engine to his bikes !A sleepy cat?
Does he wear a red onsie, and rides a blue scooter?
We thought we'd picked up a stalker! As Littgull and I rode past the front of the leisure centre we noticed a ne'er-do-well cycling round in circles, looking suspicious. We thought it best to ignore him and ride by. Then he rode up to us and stated the obvious, which was that we hadn't recognised him!Met @ColinJ & @Littgull at Wilmslow and rode to Tatton Park to catch up with me old mate @skudupnorth .
I usually suffer in those conditions, but I must have been on a good day because I didn't really notice this time.Another terrific ride. Every bit as enjoyable as last year. Fine dry weather though as @skudupnorth mentioned, the clammy humidity (especially up until 3 pm ish) was energy draining.
I had been keeping an eye on the time. We were all looking forward to the cafe stop but I realised that we were in danger of arriving too late so I started riding a bit faster. It soon became obvious that you were struggling a bit so that wasn't going to work and a plan B was called for ...I was feeling very fatigued between miles 40 and 80 and had fleeting thoughts of whether I would complete the whole planned route. I was starting to lag a bit on the long straight stretches. Running a recent sleep deficit hadn't helped and I was also wondering if Mrs Littgull's heavy head cold was waiting in the wings for me. But fortunately nothing has materialised on that yet. We were still about 20 or so miles from the cafe stop at Venetian Marina (near Nantwich) which is at a point almost exactly two thirds of the total distance (so still 40 miles to go!). We were having concerns as to whether we would reach the much needed cafe stop before its closure at 4.30 pm. Colin did what all good ride leaders do, took note of the fatigue factor (though he was still going very strong himself), assessed the situation, reviewed his route and suggested a workaround that shaved about 4 miles off enabling us to reach Venetian Marina with 40 minutes to spare.
What a sublime stop that was - the food was great value. I had Jacket spud, tuna and baked beans plus a big mug of tea,
Both Colin and Skud had a big slice of cake and I belieive Colin had a pannini too. I cant remember if Skud had anything additional but his beaming smile at his eagerly anticipated huge slice of cake is etched on my memory.
Yes, the ride back from the cafe was great. I really love the blue skies with a red tinge that we get in the evenings at this time of year in good weather.Fabulously refuelled, we set off for the final third of the ride. We rode with Skud a further few miles to Church Minshull where Skud took the Winsford road home and Colin and I proceeded in the other direction en route to Winsford [Wilmslow: CJ]. Pleasing to report that the 'fuel stop' absolutely tranformed my energy reserves and minimised the fatigue factor. A wonderful ride back to Wilmslow where we really felt 'in the zone', enjoying the scenery, quiet roads and banter. We arrived back at Wilmslow at about 8.15 pm. Stats were total mileage 121.3 miles, average speed 12.9 mph (ride time), total time in the saddle 9 hours 37 minutes.
The time in the saddle together with a 5.45 am get up plus a total of 80 miles of car travel made for a very long day as I didn't get back inside the house until 10 pm but still hugely enjoyable and worthwhile.
I am still without a bar bag so I don't have a camera readily to hand, but I did stop and whip my phone out a few times, as you can see!Nice write up Littgull, be good to see the pictures later
We spotted dark clouds nearby and felt a few spots of rain, but avoided it.I got caught in a mega shower at Lower Peover which would have been unwelcome in winter but in the humid air, it was very much a refresher I needed for the 30 miles.
We had overcast conditions for the first 6 or 7 hours before the sun finally started to burn through the clouds!It's strange how localised weather can be, I'm not 10 miles from Lower Peover and we had uninterrupted sunshine all of yesterday.
I got caught in a mega shower at Lower Peover which would have been unwelcome in winter but in the humid air, it was very much a refresher I needed for the 30 miles.