Autumn Winds and Showers: Hollingworth Lake 4th October 2008

A dull and overcast day with light drizzle was not a good omen for a summery ride. No one was disappointed and it rained on and off most of the way, but the bitter winds over the lake were by far the greatest shock for the unwitting victim of a tarmac three wheeled conspiracy or cyclus maximus horribilis. The great thing about a motorised rickshaw is that you do not break sweat, but you are in the breeze and the wind chill factor still operates, with your circulation slowing down at a directly proportionate rate. Ergo your blood feels like it is frozen.

Quotes from excited participants included: "the soup was the best bit" Thanks to Andy (where's the publicity) Whittaker's mum. or "I liked getting back and thawing out" It was in general a pleasant ride, which in the main was well attended and there were no accidents. The breakaway off road group will need to either speak to me or write their own piece, but I understand they enjoyed getting wet and muddy on their way.

The back to front tandem is still a pig to ride, but probably turns heads more than a Rolls Royce these days as it is more rare. With young Sam not knowing where he is going and only looking where he has been it was a bit of a shock to him when a man in a van using a mobile decided to veer across small bridge roundabout without really knowing what he was doing. Luckily, it was spotted in advance and an accident avoided.

The boys on the electric bikes did very well. Top marks for effort gents. It will not be long before you are fit enough not to need the motor's assistance. Well done.

Another good ride for RCC, but can we have the heat on next week please??

Thanks to all who made it an enjoyable ride despite the weather.




A ride on the wild side? Queens Park - 20th September 2008

Queens Park, Rochdale? At least 3 miles from the club house and pretty boring roads, I hear you cry. Look again, was the resounding reply.

After lulling us into a false sense of security by heading over Owd Betts and missing the turning a few times, we found the track that leads over a beautiful off road jaunt.  We traversed a wonderful picturesque spot by bridge over a small rushing stream and down some fast single track with an outstanding view and a steep drop towards a river. We joined the back lanes and roads to bring us out at Queens park.

By pure coincidence a young man who wanted to join the club met us there and we enjoyed some lunch and banter amongst the adults whilst the youngsters let off some energy by playing at the playground and riding the BMX track, along with one or two who are old enough to know better.All bones were intact, but one or two did take a tumble over the big jumps!

One young man was heard to say " I am so proud of my ride today. It is the start of my new fitness regime and I am pleased to get out in to the country, which is an added pleasure. I will definitely be back!"

A somewhat more mature gentleman was quoted as finding the going a bit tough (along with others!), but felt that the ride was worth it and came back very pleased if a little tired and vowed to ride harder next week.

A fine wholesome soup was prepared hot ready for our return and a good ride was had by all. Thank you to all who rode out with us.




Wot no rain? Tandle Hill- Sat 16th August 2008

"Rain and High winds" intoned the weather forecast on the radio, but venturing out of bed led to no sign of even drizzle. Nevertheless, waterproofs were worn or packed by most. However, they need not have worried as our illustrious Chairman had paid off the weathermen and the rain never materialised.

Young Corsa and her older sister, Hannah, ( well she must be as she has the wisdom of age about her) joined us for a pleasant ride to Tandle Hill park towards Shaw. The ride went very well and Corsa discovered that a tandem is a very agile and swift machine if you pedal  hard! 

Welcome back to Michelle, who has finished her convalescence and is able to return to the saddle now. Take it easy though, it's still early days.

Shohib kindly took a tandem out with Hannah and she says she will return so he must have done something right, whilst the off road crew had a bit of a blast round the rougher terrain at the park. Andrew (the face of cycling) Whittaker strapped his off road steed to the back of a rickshaw just to ensure he was ready to face the challenge of the off road thrash. 

Lunch was a quiet affair with a brain storming session for the next car assisted ride and next year's long awaited trip to the Pennine Hut (if we can get enough interest). It is owned by Leeds university and situated in the North Yorkshire moors near Settle in easy reach of some real off road routes close to the Ribble Head Viaduct.It would be useful if everyone interested could let Steve, Val or Michelle know to decide whether it is viable.

Back to the ride. It was quite an exciting trip with the group witnessing an Audi in flames at the side of Oldham road. We were about to coordinate a rescue operation with multiple water bottles instead of fire extinguishers, when the blaze was doused in water by bucket from a house nearby. 

Well, one young man got so excited he tried to imitate superman, but with somewhat less grace and a bumpier landing. Luckily, only his ego was dented and it was a minor spill.

Rounded off with some pizza, courtesy of Louis, it was a pleasant ride out.Thanks to all for coming.



Wet and Wild 9th August 2008

The day started wet and miserable with plenty of drizzle.Around twenty riders turned out in their waterproofs expecting rain. They were not disappointed.

A warm Welcome to Andrew and his dad, who had not cycled for more years than he cared to remember. They joined up and rode the 6 miles or so to the coffee shop, know as Charlottes, overlooking the reservoir at Littleborough's premier inshore tourist attraction, complete with its own Beach! They were unruffled by the rain, which was forecast very accurately to set in for the day, and partook of some excellent lunch at the above eatery.

Once satiated with lunch, the bedraggled throng were raring to go and all begged to ride around the Lake at Hollingworth.They all whooped with joy as they rode through puddle after puddle, while taking in the uninterrupted views of the activities and wildlife of the water.

We arrived and left in record time with only one silly billy managing to unseat himself. This was because this particular "billy" had his tandem seating arrangement all confused. Unlike the other boys and girls, who have their stoker sat facing with them and able to pedal in sync, this clever Charlie has a 180 degree horizontally opposed crank arrangement and consequently is forced to have the stoker facing backwards.

Now every one knows, don't we boys and girls, that this is likely to adversely affect the balance of such a two headed creature. Well, the "push me- pull you" contraption simply could not take any more and both riders came a cropper. Before any photos of the unfortunate couple could be taken they remounted quick as a flash and raced away as if to show this machine really could defy the laws of physics, but we know the truth don't we children! 

Back to the ride, this little incident seemed to spur everyone on to greater things and I can only remember two proper stops as everything was so quick it was just a blur. This meant we were in Charlottes before 11 am and leaving before twelve.

Thanks to Diane, Andy ( did I hear a photo call)Whittaker's mum for preparing warm food for all to try and dry out and warm up with. It was a soggy day but a successful and pleasurable ride for all who took part. Thanks for coming.

Hollingworth Lake 2nd August 2008

After a wet and miserable looking start the day brightened as did the spirits of the twenty or so who took the risk of getting a good old British soaking. Louis and a few other optimists wore shorts and were not disappointed. The sun sneaked out from behind its shadowy nesting place behind the grey overcast sky and made a long awaited appearance by about the third "is every one here" stop.

The youngest member, 2 year old Shannon, found it too much and promptly brought up her breakfast over granny Val's lovely cycling tights. A quick run back to clean up and the rest carried on. 42 or 43 stops later ( I lost count) we all arrived at the visitor centre closely followed by supergran with Shannon minus her tandem stoker.

The cafe staff declared "we have no bread" so we ate cake and had a drink or two outside until the heavens opened in earnest. After a short chat inside, we set off for Molyneaux street in reasonably good spirits. A quick check over the bikes for safety and we were away. Louis and Sam on the push me- pull you tandem closely followed by young Harris, who managed to spontaneously alight from his steed and connect quite heavily with the tarmac near to Smithy Bridge lights. After soothing his bruised ego, we were soon off again.

Various contraptions followed and were brought up at the rear by the heavy artillery in the form of the two rickshaws, piloted by Daniel and the award winning ( wot no newspaper reporters?) Andrew.

Young Chris made an appearance on the way back and promises he will get up in time next week and join us on our Saturday rides. We will not be holding our breath, but as ever, it would be nice to see him.

Valerie had done us proud, by providing strawberries and ice cream along with a slice of strawberry gateau, on the return to the club house.These went down very well and were demolished in minutes by the hungry children and riders.

We were joined by an old friend on two heavy wheels, which was a nice surprise ( I think she smelt the strawberries) when Melanie, the manager of the Field of Dreams Animal Sanctuary, arrived on her new motorcycle. It looked faster than the rickshaws or even Louis' lightweight racer.We sometimes visit the Sanctuary on Blackstone Edge, but have not been for a while.

After all the bikes were put away and a quick tidy round we said our farewells and left in the bright warm sunshine. A great ride. Thanks everyone.