Well, this is fast approaching, so get your orders in to Hazel prompt. If you snooze, you lose... As with last year, it will be a joint-venture with Withy Wheelers, so the Ryles should be packed to the gills again.
But, after the revelations exposed at the AGM, who will take on the mantle for organising 2008's do? Hazel will be pre-occupied with other things and is struggling to dedicate time to the task. But, for our amusement, Cathie and Hazel did a great job of promoting their enjoyment of the organisation, to the extent that someone new should share in the fun.
Could that be you? If you wish to rise to the challenge, volunteers to The Committee please.
Results here.... Once again, a non Stretford Wheeler was fastest up the hill, with tricky Rik Meadows having the energy to just see off George Coghlan in the closest finish we've had in years. Graeme's kept his grasp on the Hillclimb Trophy, though was well off Rik and George's pace.
A good crowd of you assembled by the pub to cheer the riders on. The late afternoon formula seemed to work well enough and was a damned good excuse for a post-event beer and meal.
New PB for Ian Jones, with 1:02:12 - well done! Any bets on for when he goes under the hour?
Season's fastest for George Brown (1:07:05) and Graeme (1:01:38)
Phil's carrying on with his aborted Nat's having a lazy weekend home instead - okay, shaking off the cold that's plagueing him. Everyone else seems to have swanned off on a mini-tour down south somewhere. Hope the weather holds out...
Perhaps, but not everyone is fanatical enough to sit in and watch United get robbed. At least, not Trevor or Phil. T-B headed north, to Garstang, for a thrash up and down L101. A mid 28 was the result of his endeavours. Phil headed south to The Concrete Mountain to encounter gale force winds. 40mph+ to the turn was rewarded with a 14mph grind home, just getting home under the hour (with a 58:27). But the result is a change in plans - out go the National 25 and definitely out goes the M&D 100 - bring on a few 10s!
He's on his Ride Across America now.
Catch up with the latest instalments of Captain's BLog... and post a comment or two.
At last, sunshine on a weekend. It was that mild, some of us (i.e. yours truly) had resorted to the 'normal' - even Coolmax - leggings, abandoning the Roubaix stuff for winter, whenever that'll appear. (Probably in May!)
Destination was Dones Green, and a good turn-out with Trevor, Cyril, Doug, Jean, Chris (can't remember seeing Dennis though) and Carol riding out from The Green Dragon. Maureen was there too, to be joined by Gordon (car, as normal).
Phil and Graeme arrived via Knutsford with Rik Meadows(Withy Wh's) in tow. Well, to be honest, Rik arrived with the others in tow. He'd been feeling the cooler air (we think his clothes are now getting as worn-out as his bike equipment) so the pace had been hot to compensate. That and the headwind had turned the ride out into a bit of a Level 3 effort in places. Had Leo (Withy Wh's) been pre-warned? Perhaps that's why he chose to meet us there, rather than at the park.
There was a good number of riders at the cafe - from as far afield as Stockport Clarion to Liverpool Century, some of the latter looking the worse for wear - out on the pop last night then? Had our weekly fill of protein and fat to keep Dr. Atkins happy - the Special Breakfast going down well (unless you were Scousers).
And of course, a tailwind all the way home, sun at our backs. Ah! Global Warming? Keep it up, I say.