Memorial Run 30th April 2022
It was a lovely sunny morning to start the traffic free run over to the Auction Eats Cafe at Garstang. I arrived just before 10am and there were already a few riders eating and drinking in the sunshine.
A phone call was received about 10:15 to let us know that a problem with a reluctant bike would delay a couple of riders and we should continue as planned after the third member of the group arrived.
Slowly the group increased until there were 12 assembled.
We set off up Stubins lane and were quickly stopped for a few minutes while a cycle race finished on Lodge lane. After this delay we carried on without mishap through Inglewhite to Longridge. Here we turned onto Elm Brow and went through Littletown to the junction with Hesketh Lane where were turned right towards Chaigley. A little further on we turned left to Whitewell and Dunsop Bridge. We didn’t stop here but carried on though Newton In Bowland to Slaidburn to stop at the car park for a break and refreshments.
As we chatted in the car park a lost ewe and two lambs wandered in. Colin opened the gate to the field and shepherd Bob ushered them into the field. A discussion then started about the wisdom of this as we could have rustled some sheep for a local farmer! Anyway the sheep were happy and stood still to have their photos taken.
We then started the bikes and headed out of Slaidburn on the Skaithe road towards Bentham. Many courteous motorists pulled over to let the group through on this single track road, there was even a camper van towing the family car behind it travelling the road. A very inappropriate vehicle for the road.
Just before Bentham, at the crossroads with Mewith Lane we turned left and drove into Wray turning into the Greenfoot Garden Centre car park for our lunch stop. It was the weekend of the Wray scarecrow festival so there was bouncy castle and a big marquee with a hog roast, burgers and a bar all set up. So we had a good lunch break. As we were resting the two riders delayed at the start of the run turned up explaining that the coil on the disabled bike had moved and shorted out the contacts connection to the coil but all was now fine.
After a good break, eats, drinks and cakes we set off on the final leg of the run back to Myerscough.
Riders peeled off as they got near to their homes but we picked up a new rider at the Fleece in Dolphinholme. Frank our president had been having a run out on his Honda and fortuitously arrived at the crossroads as we passed through so he joined us on the last few miles of the run. A little further on Dave’s waterproofs decided they could make it home on their own but we decided otherwise and stopped to give them a lift back to Dave’s carrier where they enjoyed a tighter bungee strapping to keep them safe.
At the Myerscough cafe we sat outside in the now hazy sunshine and enjoyed a drink with Frank and reminisced about previous runs etc.
So overall it was a great ride out and we got back home before the promised rain arrived.
Thanks to Dave for leading the run and to all who participated.
Richard