Newsbox  3 Feb 2010

Mile Muncher Target is 175miles

NLTTA books available from me now

CTT books available from me now, cheques to CRC

Your active CRC President Pete Shuttleworth passed through the 8,000 mile 2009 total distance achieved with a day to spare! This looked a formality with a fortnight in December left and only 105 miles to ride but an 8-day lay-off with zero miles on the bad weather run-up to Xmas put the target in jeopardy. The 12 monthly rides of 2009 yielded a total mileage for me of 972 miles, a good start in anyone's book, with a best weekly mileage of 402.2 in September and a best month's mileage in June of 810.2. So, a great big thank you to all those friends (including Remoulds) and those who ventured on the monthly rides for keeping my enthusiasm alive with the anticipation of more to come!

Local Sportive based from Lancaster two distances http://www.le-terrier.co.uk/

For Sale GARMIN 305 with Heart Rate Monitor, 3 months old (HRM strap never used), with all original packaging, manuals and receipt, £150.  Tel Dara 07766 160660 or daraalmond@live.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2009 MONTHLY RIDE The 8 brave members who met at the Wyre, having set out on saturated roads under threatening skies, were rewarded with brightening conditions as they progressed along Mains Lane to Singleton, Thistleton, Elswick and Inskip, where they met 3 more riders from Lytham, Kirkham and St. Michaels....proof of the wide-ranging districts in which members reside. Amazingly, by the outskirts of Catforth, the roads became dry, making the uncomfortable spray endured so far more bearable. Crossing the main A6 at Broughton, they veered off the major road at Goosenargh with the intention of approaching Longridge via Ashley Lane but as one rider caught the group, another had to return home with a broken freewheel. Onward through Thornley, the party looked forward to late elevenses at Chipping under darkening skies after a brief spell of sunshine but half elected to carry on through the Trough of Bowland without stopping - no matter, it was good to see so many out on the road. The remaining 6 continued via Little Bowland towards Whitewell where a front wheel puncture was the only delay on the ride, and the upside was that it didn't happen on top of a hill open to the elements, but in the sheltered valley. Next came the upward sloping road beyond Whitewell, observing the signs for "danger of falling rocks" - another good reason for wearing a helmet? A further incline was tackled on the way to Browsholme Hall before easier downhills were enjoyed through Bashall Eaves and down to river level at Hodder Bridge. For some, the steep, relentless climb of Birdy Brow (Kemple End) was a "first", so they can feel proud to conquer this obstacle at this time of year. High up then, after a photo shoot, along the exposed top road, conditions were more like September as they enjoyed far- reaching views over the Ribble Valley and the West Pennine Moors under sunny skies. On reaching the Ribchester/Chipping junction, they descended south to the smoother, flatter roads through Dutton to their second stop on the outskirts of Longridge. Now on the last leg homewards, the group split into those wanting a speedy return, and those needing to appreciate a slower pace....although the latter still completed this challenging ride at an average of more than 14 mph, and they were all home by 4pm - before the official lighting up time. It speaks volumes for the enthusiasm and encouragement in Cleveleys Road Club in that one of the riders hadn't touched the bike for three weeks and still managed 70 miles (60 from Wyre to Wyre)...tired no doubt but uplifted by the sense of achievement.

Pot Holes report them here and help improve our roads http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/hazards/report

December 2009 Monthly Ride Two different days, one year apart - last year frost and ice prompted a main road only revised route - this year only floods to contend with! Overnight rain on Sunday 6th. caused flooding on many Over Wyre roads as 9 members set out towards Cartford Bridge to meet the rider from Lytham before heading north along Lancaster Road with ever-threatening dark clouds massing to the west. Although it looked like we might outrun a heavy shower, a precautionary stop just after Pilling was taken to don waterproofs and continue across Cockerham Sands on the way to Bay Horse, accepting that two riders who had waited behind for two more members were not continuing. Up then to 5-lane ends and a right turn past the Fleece at Dolphinholme before the remaining 8 approached the climb of Harrisend Fell, quite challenging not just because of the gradient but also the fresh south-west breeze...yet the next climb of Oakenclough was thankfully sheltered by trees and somewhat easier. Delay soon after the descent and on the way to Bleasdale by a puncture made for a lunchtime approach to Beacon Fell, normally on quiet roads and yet the perimeter road was almost blocked by traffic as Xmas-tree mania was in full flow. Indoors now as another heavy shower passed over, the refreshed group suffered another delay on the steep descent with a double blow-out on a front wheel and a subsequent brake-block adjustment before Scotch Green Lane was used to get to the main A6 road at Bilsborrow. Chaos reigned here as crowds and resultant parked cars tried to exit a Christmas Fair/Gymkhana - cycles definitely the best mode of transport for mobility! The split group then used the lanes route to Inskip, Elswick and Thistleton on the way to Singleton where some diverted via Weeton and Great Plumpton on the way home to record a desired total of more than 100km. (63 miles). Another successful monthly ride to close the year, most people being home by 3.30pm to avoid the use of lighting and discard the waterproofs, used for warmth as well as to keep dry from the soaking roads.  Peter Shuttleworth.