I think I can still see Alan and Dave

Alan S left on the short run announcing - we're off to Two Mills, the long run can go to Holt or anywhere else they want. We all looked at each other - I stupidly said we could go via Summertrees and the Candle Factory and then round the back way to Holt. Fine said Alan Kemp you lead, I had that sinking feeling of an Italian Captain falling into a life boat but decided to bluff it out. Ten of us set off toward Whitegate, Alan K, Dave Fearon (on a fixed!), Jon C, Kev C, Tim, Howie, Vince, John K and a friend of his who hasn't been on a club run for 25 years whose name I have completely forgotten but for the purpose of this tale will call Newie (sorry I'm getting old and forgetful)

Alan announced he had had a tough ride yesterday and was so tired he could hardly sit on his bike. Ha ha ha ha, suffice to say on the way home Howie came up beside me and said 'this has been great preparation for Llanberis, high winds, hills and a view of the back of Alan Kemp disappearing into the distance'. We went to Eaton, up Hollins Hill, down to Quarry bank, along to Willington Corner, up Chapel lane past Summertrees and back to Quarry bank. At this point my sanity and credibility were questioned as it dawned on some of the party that we had just been in a circle with a gratuitous hill thrown in. I got quite a lot of flack but I did my best Bernard Hinault impression and told them to go forth and multiply.

Then over to Burwardsley and Bickerton via Tattenhall for a couple more hills before a regroup. It must be said that Dave F is amazing, with his metronomic riding up the hills. How the hell does he do it on a fixed, if I could have caught him I'd have pushed him off.

We then regrouped and all agreed to pretend we were on a club run and keep the pace sensible and stay together. There was complete consent - yes you've guessed it as we set off Alan K and Jon C disappeared into the distance not to be seen again until Holt. A fine meal in a crowded restaurant and we all set off refreshed. A fairly uneventful return except Dave and Alan sat on the front the whole way back and talked. We were treated to everything from Alan's competing in the Peace race to Dave's early days of TT'ing as well as some interesting facts about early girl friends. It was better than a radio and apart from regular shouts from the rear of 'half a rev' they did a fantastic job in very adverse conditions.

All in all 65 miles of hard but enjoyable riding at this rate we'll be ready for Llanberis.

Despite what it says below - Posted by Kev

To Prees and back

Sorry about the dark photos - young Titch is studying photography at Mid Cheshire so clearly we need to get him to take them in future! The reason the top one is so bad is because the sun was so bright and was directly behind us - so it doesn't give any idea as to just what a beautiful sunny day it was. We had a great ride today. Graham led us to Prees via Nantwich and Whitchurch, then back on a great route which took us via Malpas (where the photos were taken), the Peckforton Hills and then (to avoid the closed bridge at the Shady Oak) via Bunbury. It was icy on some patches but we took the descents carefully and there were no mishaps. We had a companiable group out today and our front riders set a sensible pace so we kept together most of the time. Our group included youngsters James (who did a big share of riding on the front for us) Titch (who is doing really well) and me (!), and then for the"grown ups" we had Graham, Jules, John Conboy, Alan K, Howie, Ady and Carol (thanks for goading me on up the hills Carol!) Paul joined us on the way out but dropped out with knee problems - Paul, we hope you're OK...

I had 69 miles on the clock at the end of the day, and felt that I'd worked hard.

18 to Allgreave

A fantastic turn out this morning with what must have been nearly 50 riders keen to start their 2012 fitness campaign - and anxious to get the miles in before the Llanberis weekend. The short group set off first (let us know how you got on) and I went with the long group, led by Graham, out to the big climb up to the Hanging Gate pub and over to Allgreave. This climb is steep! I couldn't see the action from my lanterne rouge position but I gather Dylan and our climbers set a cracking pace over the hill, and then patiently waited at the top for those of us without the right gears/legs. It's good to see Howie back in action, and his battle with his 42/24 gearing was something to watch - as was some of the zig zagging and general cursing that was going on from other riders. The photo shows one of the last climbs on the sharp corner before the cafe - where Andy broke his chain - and had to manfully walk the last kilometre uphill to get his beans on toast.

Graham led us back via Wildboarclough and the climb over Macc. Forest - by this time the drizzle and mist rendered glasses useless, (and the photo I took of us all at the top of the Forest just came out as fog). The descent to the reservoir and through Langley was fairly hairy in the wet.

Despite the poor conditions this was an excellent run - thanks to Graham and everyone for setting such a steady pace and keeping us all together - we had 19 at the start and remarkably still had 18 at the cafe (John Keen turned off early) and we all stayed together on the return leg until I punctured at Siddington and Kev and I stopped to fix it.

Ticks go to Graham, Dylan, Alan K, Kev, Kris, Jules, John Conboy, Andy, Howie, Elaine and eldest son Paul, Kevin, James Risk, Derek, Carol, new rider (and great climber) Neil, and another new rider (only 16 and doing really well) Titch. Thanks for your company!

Dave Astles RIP: Memorial Ride December 27th 2011

Here is Dave with Nick and Alan, when they had all won their categories in the TLI National Champs. He was so proud of that win - and this morning there can have been few more moving sights than that of his son Mark, wearing his Dad's national champion's shirt, leading out about 100 friends from WVCC and many other clubs, on a memorial ride. We rode in two groups, on a beautiful almost spring-like day, along the Cheshire lanes which Dave knew so well, to one of his frequent haunts, the Ice Cream Farm at Beeston.

Mark must be very proud of his dad. Quite apart from his prowess as a cyclist, Dave was the nicest man you could meet. Everyone today had a tale about Dave - of his humour, his charm, his stories, his interest in everyone, and the way in which he would encourage everyone, young, old, male, female, fast or less fast - whether he was offering tactical advice about racing or training, or helping new riders to work out how to hang on to the back of the bunch on a club run - or in my case, just a simple "come on Ellie" when he knew I was flagging.

On the return leg today we rode together at a brisk pace, a bit too fast for chatting - and somehow he seemed to be there with us, his eyes twinkling, willing us on, taking pleasure and pride in the fact that so many people had turned out on such a beautiful day, all for him. I feel very privileged to have ridden with Dave, and whenever I'm out on my bike in the future he will, I know, be there with me, encouraging me. Our thoughts I know go to his family, for their great loss, and we hope that in their sadness, they take some small comfort from today.

RIP.

Elaine cops it - and where was Julian by the way?!

A lovely ride in mild, sunny (but very windy) Autumn weather to the very nice Lavender Cafe at Dunham and back. We had our share of stops, with 3 punctures (it's that hedge cutting time of year) and Elaine deciding that she needed to challenge Julian for the wobbly wheel prize at the club dinner, coming off rather spectacularly on the cattle grid on the road through Tatton. She grazed her arm and hip but luckily nothing seemed to be broken, and she valiantly continued with the whole ride, with not even a whimper (that's what they're made of North of the border!)

The best bit of the ride was coming back through Tatton helped by a tailwind, trying to chase Jed in his yellow submarine - the park was full of families out walking and they all stopped to watch - it was like being out with Lance Armstrong in terms of the attention he (and therefore we) received.

We had a good group out and Alan did his normal fantastic job of keeping everyone together which was quite challenging as we had some speedy sorts out. The following get their "tick" - Jed, Alan, Woody, Terry, Phil, Dave Astles, Derek on his trike, Elaine, Craig (congratulations Craig on your new Bonfire Night baby), Andrew, Steve, and new (and very strong) boys Rob (on a fixed) and Moz (on a cyclo cross bike complete with knobbly wheels). Sorry if I've forgotten anyone!!!

Also sorry about the rubbish photo, and for the fact that Woody, Rob and Dave had already peeled off by the time I took it...

And finally a message to Julian: we all hope you've recovered from your night out!

The hatch, match and dispatch ride

What with Craig's imminent baby (still not there, but we were all a bit twitchy when his phone rang) - and tales of an apparent suicide off the Church Minshull canal bridge, that led to the road being closed - we had a ride featuring a birth (nearly) a death (apparently) but no marriage, so we ticked two boxes out of three. The whole of life (almost) on a WVCC club run.

I opted for the shorter ride today and we all enjoyed excellent company, gorgeous Autumn sunshine and quiet Cheshire lanes. We were a nicely sized bunch, with Woody and Craig doing most of the work on the front, and Alan, Ben, Chris, Steve, Andy and Martin all enjoying a good-paced ride out to Holt the direct way, then back via Tattenhall and Tarporley. Woody won the race to the cafe, and Craig to the Tarporley sign, both thanks to my lead outs I should say! Then at Little Budworth, a Jedmobile sighting, as he trundled his way out to Chester.

I haven't been out for a club run for ages because of mountain biking, cyclo cross, work and family, but today made me realise how much I've missed them, and what fun they are, especially on such a beautiful day.

"Pillow"

"Why do people shout 'pillow' when they ride over a bump in the road?" asked one of our newer riders today. Good question - I racked my brain for some arcane cycling terminology that I hadn't yet learned, then finally realised what was going on. Pls. can people in future pls. articulate more clearly when they shout "below"!

An excellent ride today. We got soaked in the first half an hour but then the rain held off for the whole ride, which was a bonus. A nice route from Craig took us via Tarporley and Waverton, then through Chester on the Greenway, to Two Mills. Twelve of us set out but Kris was suffering from some sort of "highly trained athlete" lurgy and left us early on. It was good to see two newish riders Nigel and Tom, who both seem to have alarmingly strong legs! Chris won the sprint to the cafe. On the way back Nick set a cracking pace, and the race through the Forest was won again by Chris who cleary has the potential to take on Mark Cavendish.

After all the debate on the forum I should add that this was for me at least the perfect club run: beautiful Cheshire lanes, nice and sociable, and with enough fast stretches to keep the fast riders amused, but not so many as to leave us slowies behind!