Winter Club Runs 2009

Sunday was the confirmation that winter is truly upon us. Another wet, windy and moderately cold Sunday to brave. This was a Winter ride not only in terms of weather conditions (one could argue these can be experienced 9 months out of 12!), but also in terms of the profile of the ride. Just under 60 miles were ridden at a steady and sensible pace. The progress got only disturbed by three punctures, another common winter occurrence at this time of the year with edge cuttings and increased rainfall. All in all, another great Sunday club run that was well worth getting up for.

Inner tube mending between Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale.
A few rays of sunhine making a welcome appearance.
Photo: Chris Atherton
Words: Nic Bertrand

A group of 12 riders left for Settle on a blustery and intermittently wet morning. The B run riders were pleased to have Gordon Helme back in the saddle after a 7 month break due to injury. The club run travelled via Caton to Bentham where they climbed steadily to the summit and over the moors to cross the A65 through to Clapham. After another short stint on the A65 the group then climbed above Austwick to bear right opposite the quarry at Helwith Bridge. After caping up to fend off a heavy downpour the riders descended on 'John's Lane' to Settle for welcome refreshments. The return run was via the challenging back road to Wray which offered splendid views of some of Yorkshire's big peaks in addition to a facial battering of hail stone. A commendable team spirit ensured all the riders made it back together despite one rider experiencing difficulties en-route home.

Des Coyle

The plan was to have a repeat of the last two years traditional Christmas club run through Crag Bank, Arnside, Crooklands, Old Hutton, Kirkby Lonsdale, A pub of the Lune Valley and home. The weather had other ideas.

Five riders turned up at Dalton Square: Adrian, Tony, Young Chris, Councillor Barry and me.

We opted for the one way system and onto the A6. Credits are due to the council for some excellent gritting of the roads in and around Lancaster. However, leaving Lancaster it became obvious that the state of the roads were not sufficiently safe for road bikes. Wisely Adrian and John retreated home. At Bolton-Le-Sands, Young Chris, Tony and I turned left towards Morecambe.

A club run wouldn't be a club run without a cafe stop regardless of the distance covered so the group sought warmth at the Costa Cafe on Morecambe promenade. A few more miles towards Overton and back home completed an abridged but nevertheless memorable Christmas club run.

The Festive Club run programme continues on 26th December 2009 from 9:30am Dalton Square for a 'Boxing Day Special' that should lead club riders through Nether Kellet, Hornby, Bentham, Clapham, Ingleton, Gressingham.

For more photographs from Nic Bertrand click here >>>

Six of us turned up at Dalton Square for the 10am run. Mark, Neil, Chris M, Kipper, John A and I. With the wind blowing hard and the lanes being out of bound there was to be only one option. Pilling sands etc... I call this ride the Kipper special as somehow whenever this type of weather is about Kipper is always present and leads a restricted group of riders to the flatlands and the crosswinds. Having missed the 9:30 meetup with the faster lads today so it was no exception.

The group made steady progress with a strong tail wind. It was clear that wouldn't last. It didn't. Strengthening winds this time either as gusting cross winds or straight head winds made it a hard slog at best. Neil and John working hard at the front to counter the wind and provide some shelter to the group.

Just north of Garstang, the lads from Heydham carried on home. That left Chris, Kipper and I to stroll down to Scorton for a brew. Kipper didn't need to ask me if I was planning a cafe stop ;-)

Back on the A6 we picked up Chris A. He had been to Preston and back having missed the 10am meet up.

Just over 40miles that felt a lot harder than the route would otherwise suggest.


Sunday 6th December	The Club Run Sunday was the confirmation that winter is truly upon us. Another wet, windy and moderately cold Sunday to brave. This was a Winter ride not only in terms of weather conditions (one could argue these can be experienced 9 months out of 12!), but also in terms of the profile of the ride. Just under 60 miles were ridden at a steady and sensible pace. The progress got only disturbed by three punctures, another common winter occurrence at this time of the year with edge cuttings and increased rainfall. All in all, another great Sunday club run that was well worth getting up for. A welcome stop at Cafe Duo in Sedbergh. Photo: Nic Bertrand Inner tube mending between Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale. A few rays of sunhine making a welcome appearance. Photo: Chris Atherton Words: Nic Bertrand The B Run A group of 12 riders left for Settle on a blustery and intermittently wet morning. The B run riders were pleased to have Gordon Helme back in the saddle after a 7 month break due to injury. The club run travelled via Caton to Bentham where they climbed steadily to the summit and over the moors to cross the A65 through to Clapham. After another short stint on the A65 the group then climbed above Austwick to bear right opposite the quarry at Helwith Bridge. After caping up to fend off a heavy downpour the riders descended on 'John's Lane' to Settle for welcome refreshments. The return run was via the challenging back road to Wray which offered splendid views of some of Yorkshire's big peaks in addition to a facial battering of hail stone. A commendable team spirit ensured all the riders made it back together despite one rider experiencing difficulties en-route home. Des Coyle Christmas Club Run Eric and the boys enjoying the winter weather The plan was to have a repeat of the last two years traditional Christmas club run through Crag Bank, Arnside, Crooklands, Old Hutton, Kirkby Lonsdale, A pub of the Lune Valley and home. The weather had other ideas. Five riders turned up at Dalton Square: Adrian, Tony, Young Chris, Councillor Barry and me. We opted for the one way system and onto the A6. Credits are due to the council for some excellent gritting of the roads in and around Lancaster. However, leaving Lancaster it became obvious that the state of the roads were not sufficiently safe for road bikes. Wisely Adrian and John retreated home. At Bolton-Le-Sands, Young Chris, Tony and I turned left towards Morecambe. A club run wouldn't be a club run without a cafe stop regardless of the distance covered so the group sought warmth at the Costa Cafe on Morecambe promenade. A few more miles towards Overton and back home completed an abridged but nevertheless memorable Christmas club run. The Festive Club run programme continues on 26th December 2009 from 9:30am Dalton Square for a 'Boxing Day Special' that should lead club riders through Nether Kellet, Hornby, Bentham, Clapham, Ingleton, Gressingham. For more photographs from Nic Bertrand click here >>> The B Run Six of us turned up at Dalton Square for the 10am run. Mark, Neil, Chris M, Kipper, John A and I. With the wind blowing hard and the lanes being out of bound there was to be only one option. Pilling sands etc... I call this ride the Kipper special as somehow whenever this type of weather is about Kipper is always present and leads a restricted group of riders to the flatlands and the crosswinds. Having missed the 9:30 meetup with the faster lads today so it was no exception. The group made steady progress with a strong tail wind. It was clear that wouldn't last. It didn't. Strengthening winds this time either as gusting cross winds or straight head winds made it a hard slog at best. Neil and John working hard at the front to counter the wind and provide some shelter to the group. Just north of Garstang, the lads from Heydham carried on home. That left Chris, Kipper and I to stroll down to Scorton for a brew. Kipper didn't need to ask me if I was planning a cafe stop Back on the A6 we picked up Chris A. He had been to Preston and back having missed the 10am meet up. Just over 40miles that felt a lot harder than the route would otherwise suggest. Seemingly obligatory Cafe photo's See you next year...

Sunday 20th December

30th December 2009

Copyright Lune RCC 2009