Blue skies, sunshine and calm conditions, perfect for a local cycle ride. Longridge Fell is my regular walking ground, but today I was going to circumnavigate it on lanes from Longridge. You will notice my post is titled ‘around’ and not ‘up’, I had no intention of cycling the high road over the fell, there are enough undulations on the planned circuit.
There was a chill in the Autumn air but by the time I arrived in Chipping I was suitably warmed up. The road I took follows the north side of Longridge Fell before dropping to Higher Hodder bridge. A steep little hill up past a once popular inn had me puffing and to be honest I was always a little out of breath on any incline from then on, I’m having difficulty getting cycling fit. Walking is so much more relaxing.
Great Mitton and its Medieval Church are skirted, then the road winds up through the Ribble Valley to Hurst Green. I’d planned a break here as there are seats on the village green. A walker with his Spaniel had bagged the best one, but I ate my banana on an adjacent bench before going over for a chat about all things local, a pleasant diversion.
Back in the saddle, I was soon back into Longridge, feeling rather tired from this modest ride. I had covered 22 miles but had ascended 1600ft in the process, there are no flat roads in the Ribble Valley.
And that’s about it. I didn’t take many photos.
Chipping.
Couldn’t resist another picture of Cromwell’s Bridge over the Hodder.
Hurst Green interlude.
On arrival back home this gigantic corkscrew had arrived on the building site opposite me. Earlier in the year we, the local residents, stopped Barratts, in the guise of homely David Wilson Homes, from disruptive pile driving on this site which is probably unsuitable in the first place for building on due to the shifting sands. They are now having to drill down 30–40 ft to find solid ground, don’t buy a house on Inglewhite Meadow.
Clockwise – mmm!
I am sure you are pretty fit but like me you just find cycling hard work when others seem to breeze round with ease. I have never had a decent lightweight road bike and I’m sure that must make a big difference. It may also help if you have some proper snazzy lycra?
This time there was some thought put into the direction, hoping the hills would be gentler done clockwise, they weren’t.
I will need to invest in some go faster lycra.
I had some colleagues who were keen road-racers. They used to talk about shaving their legs to reduce drag, but I could never decide if they were having me on. You’re fitter than me anyway. 22miles on a bike, hills or flat, would reduce my legs to jelly and have me on my back for a week.
That’s an interesting alternative to pile driving. I heed your advice about not buying a house there, though it would put me on the edge of some very nice countryside.
They are starting drilling tomorrow, so the neighbours and I will have some entertainment.
Some colleagues of mine who were into road racing said they used to shave their legs for an advantage. I could never work out if they were having me on. You’re fitter than me anyway. Even the thought of 22 miles on a bike is enough to turn my legs to jelly.
I thought I’d posted this one this morning, but must have put it on another blog by accident, which is embarrassing for me and confusing for the other blogger.
Two for the price of one.
My blog takes time to upload comments.
Your roady pals would easily half my time. I also have aroad bike but if carrying or going on trails I prefer the solidity of my mountain bike. I try to keep away from frenetic main roads and use off road cycleways wherever possible