Club B Run Report 15 January 2011

A cold and slightly frosty start to this week's B run took the 14 riders from Dalton Square through the Trough of Bowland onward to Whitewell and Chipping to the very welcome coffee stop at The Barn, Scorton, thence by way of the Cockerham road race circuit back to Lancaster and home.

At the outset there was some debate whether to continue with the scheduled, planned route or find an alternative due to the feared icy conditions.

The consensus was to carry on as planned but to exercise caution as the road conditions determined.

The ride started at a brisk but steady pace out of Lancaster past the university to Galgate turning left off the main A6 onto the Stoney Lane heading to the Fleece Inn and onward to Marshaw.

The first of the road ice was waiting for the group at the 'Cows Mouth' where all but the brave dismounted to negotiate the frozen run off water.

We said goodbye to Glenis and Jim at the tee junction as they felt unsure about the road conditions further on the planned route.

Mal B and Aussie Dick at this point had gone off the front of the remaining bunch acting very much like pathfinders through the frozen wasteland of the Forest of Bowland.

So after one or two further icy patches the frozen bunch made it safely through the trough down the surprisingly, ice free descent of Boundary Hill on to the Dunsop Bridge junction.

The group leader at this point, had planned to take the group by way of the Bowland Wild Boar Park road and on to Chipping. However, it was decided that the main road would be the most likely ice free option.

Once through Chipping it was noticeably warmer and the road conditions improved immensely. No more ice. The group made good time with an improved pace to the cafe stop at Scorton.

Refreshed, by soup, teacakes and huge cream scones, the group said their goodbyes to Julie and Dave of Garstang and started off in the direction of Cockerham for the last leg to home.

The group had met with Julian at the cafe who was keen to take the refuelled bunch on a quick half lap of the Cockerham road racing circuit. So it was a ride at tempo onto Winmarleigh and the A588 back to Cockerham. It is worth noting here that the group leader himself got detached from the paceline but with some encouragement managed to hold on to the rear wheel!

Returning to Lancaster, the remains of the 14 that began at Dalton Square had clocked some 60 odd miles in cold conditions and all agreed that the experience had been worthwhile.

Tony Edge