Easy Riding though the warmer months

We have continued our programme of Sunday easy rides and pop up Thursday extra easy rides whilst trying to avoid the hottest weather.

Thursday morning extra easy rides are usually between 20 and 25 miles long, and the Sunday easy rides have been between 25 and 35 miles. We also do an occasional more challenging ride.

This included today's long ride to Chester which we do once or twice a year. 14 of us headed there this time, John led 10 out from Broken Cross and Siddington. They had a tail wind so arrived ahead of schedule at Shakerley Mere, where Simon and I were waiting, also ahead of schedule fortunately! We sorted ourselves out into two groups, those who wanted breakfast and to ride a little faster went with John, whilst I led a second group.

We had an easy ride with a tail wind to Rose Farm, the only hiccup was getting Jim's 3 wheeler electric recumbent behemoth through the kissing gate at Vale Royal, but many hands made light work. At Rose Farm it felt very warm indoors, so we opted for outdoors. With permission from the cafe we moved one of their picnic tables out of the sun and into the shade, a doddle compared with lifting Jim's trike! The final two wheelers who had set off later arrived whilst we were ordering.

We all met up again on the Chester riverside, briefly, before John's group set off again. We ate our lunch and enjoyed watching the rafts and boats on the river.

Our ride back was hotter and into a head wind. Jim punctured after we came off the tow path, but found a shady spot to sort it out whilst we rehydrated ( he was quicker without our 'help'!) It was then mostly uphill to Whitegate cafe, but we encouraged each other, and Caroline and Becky helped me with leading the group into the wind, especially when I started overheating and struggling.

Our third stop was at Whitegate cafe, after lots of drinks and a cool down in the shade, we all made it back, Lisa even did some extra miles to get to 100 miles, a great achievement in the heat!

Thanks to Lisa for some of the photos

Katherine

Rose Farm, photo by Lisa