On the spur of the moment I decided to cycle the Preston Guild Wheel again after my last rather troublesome  trip.

Having replaced all my brake and gear cables as a precaution and having a few more miles under my wheels I set off with confidence. To ring the changes I cycled anti-clockwise this time which gave a different perspective to the scenery and of course different hills to climb.

The weather was forecast to be bright and breezy, that’s always good for walking but on a bike I’ve re-realised  you have to take account of the wind strength and direction. Today it was from the west so got that out of the way early on as I rode out through Cottam and towards Blackpool before following the River Ribble back through Preston.

The route was very busy with cyclists, of all shapes and sizes, coming past me in the more popular clockwise direction. Cheery greetings to all. For a while I made a mental number, into the hundreds, of those passing until I realised  I was encountering people from earlier in the day for the second time. I don’t know how much Preston spent on this project, but judging from its popularity, it must be one of the more successful endeavours with our council tax.

The dockland railway was in operation and I was able to have a ‘race’ alongside the steam train as it cruised into Preston.               

The parks were all looking spic and span in the Spring sunshine.

MILLER PARK.

The cherry trees were still blooming and in the woods there was the first flush of bluebell blue.

                                                                                                                                                                          By the end of my trip I was flushed with the exercise as I climbed the last steep hill in the hinterland of Fulwood. Must have a closer look at the map to see exactly where I’ve been. Some interesting place names were encountered – Lightfoot Green, Nog Tow, Frenchwood, Midgery Lane. I will endeavour to look into their derivations.

Have a walking trip planned for the end of the month, so will keep cycling to get fit and hope my foot copes with the actual walking then.