THE best way to describe a planned ride to Chipping would be to say it was character building.

The low cloud and driving, misty rain were constant companions all day.

In order to vary the outward route we travelled through Shuttleworth, Hud Hey and Roundhills and down into the outskirts of Blackburn.

The journey over Roundhills was particularly gruelling with vicious crosswinds carrying the fine rain and the ever-increasing cloud obscured the usual vista. So it was a great relief to us all to descend as far as Ribchester where we crossed the swollen River Ibble and then took the opportunity to have a short break.

Back on the bikes we persevered on through Hothersall and Longridge, then into the quieter lanes for the final few miles before lunch.

Chipping has been a favourite destination for cyclists for decades and sometimes dozens of bikes are propped up outside the cafe. Not today though and there was no problem getting a table inside either.

So the ride back in the afternoon started just like the morning's, wet, windy and with the cloud obscuring what are normally beautiful views.

The lanes were quiet and we soon passed through the quaint villages of Chaigley, Mitton and Bashall Eaves before reaching Whalley.

The winter runs are not particularly long, so we allowed ourselves some respite at the Springwood Country Park where a couple of squirrels were eating off the feeding tables.

Very few people here also, so we set off back through Accrington and picked up a puncture just to complete the day's trials and tribulations.

This Sunday's rides are A group Lymm meet Bury 9am. B group Roughlee meet Bury 9.30am.

BURY CLARION

LAST Sunday's A section riders kept to their planned ride to the heights of the Pennines despite the prospect of daunting weather conditions.

These did materialise as they not only rode into the clouds over Oxenhope Moor, but were also severely battered with a headwind.

Not deterred by the experience, they spurned the direct route home and headed northwards to Laneshaw Bridge by way of Stanbury. Westwards then to Colne before heading southwards home, calling at Burnley bus station for refreshment on the way.

Bob Duckworth and Mark Rudy were in action at last Saturday's LVRC meeting at the Velodrome. Bob's best performance was getting through the final of the 750 metres scratch, but he was pipped on the line by Terry Anderson of Shaftesbury CC.

His final tally of points for the meeting gave him third place overall. Mark won one of the sprints in the 20 laps points, but his score was not good enough for an overall place in this event.

At Monday's ATC meeting Adrian Smith was third in the Devil.

TANDEM RIDING CLUB

FOR THE VISUALLY

HANDICAPPED

THE five tandem pairs who turned out for Sunday's club run did not welcome the prospect of riding over the Belmont moors in pouring rain so the ride was shortened to Rivington Barn.

Amongst those out was new steersman Mathew Holt from Ramsbottom. Mathew graduated directly to front rider responsibility after his assessment and steering Derek Pritchard confirmed the confidence of his assessors.