Sunday, August 13

DESPITE a gloomy forecast, the club's 150k reliability ride to Chester got off to a great start, with broken cloud and sunshine all the way to the first stop en-route at Lymm.

There we had to compete with bus loads of pensioners who had flocked there this particular morning, for our beans and toast etc.

With warm weather coming up from the south, the ride was quite pleasant as we made our way from lane to lane before the last few miles into Chester, where by now light rain was falling.

From our cafe stop by the river, we had the pleasure of seeing the local rowing club launch their skiff with an eight man team.

Despite the light rain the Lady Diana Showboat was doing a busy trade, with its two mile trips up the river, the man-powered skiff however giving short shrift speedwise to the lady of the Dee.

A much quieter route was sought on the way home taking in the hills of Manley and Kingsley, before hitting the flat plain of Cheshire once more at Little Leigh. Crossing the old runway of the defunct Stretton airfield then into Swineyard Lane, we are but a mile or so from our last tea stop at the old school rooms of High Legh, a very popular tearoom run by local volunteers and the cakes, trifle, and gateaux are all home made.

The long descent from here through Broomedge to Warburton is most welcome, and the now familiar last few miles home beckon us. It's been another great ride through lanes with many orchards, laden heavy with ripening fruit, reminding constantly of the season we are now well into. Altogether a very good reliability ride.

Clarion race scene

THE vets of the club were busy on Sunday morning competing in the Southport RC 25-mile event at Tarleton. Coming out tops again was the evergreen Fred Smith with a highly creditable 1hr 59secs. Fred's form is extremely consistent. Rob Entwistle at 1hr 3mins 5secs, followed by Jim Ince at 1hr 5mins 50secs, Ken Bath recorded 1hr 6mins 27secs, and Frank Myers at 1hr 11mins 17secs completed the clubs entry.

Clarion ride -- Sunday, August 20

THE Medium Distance Ride head north in complete contrast to the last few weeks, with a ride to Slaidburn, crossing the Ribble and Hodder valleys as they go.

Meet at the Town Hall for the above ride with an 8.30am. start. Ring secretary for details 01204 491595.