We met at the Travellers Rest (probably for the last time). It’s rumoured David Y had slept in his bike gear so he could get an early start! Even John was early and gave out the maps and instructions while Tony collected donations for the Air Ambulance. We must have enough for a rotor blade by now Tony? Alan was on his immaculate Guzzi 850 with Shenna on pillion. As Jim’s Enfield is having major surgery, he borrowed Rob’s XBR500 as Rob has also had surgery (shoulder op). Joe arrived on his Model X and we shoehorned Jim onto the XBR and made ready to go.
John took us on a circuitous route through Bretherton, Croston, Coppul and Chorley before the lunch stop at Lower Rivington Barn. The rain had started but Tony was confident his new boots would keep his tootsies dry! It was wild, wet and windy over the top to Belmont, where we waved off Joe and Jim. The other five rode on into the hills for some extra-terrestrial bimbling. The hills were getting steeper and the roads narrower. The weather was improving though and the views were great.
By now we were in need of some refreshment and we headed off for the Top Locks Inn at Wheelton. Tony’s feet were tinder dry in his new boots which are lined in genuine water-snake skin but some of the others were slightly damp around the unmentionables! Gasp and gadzooks! no Timothy Taylors, but the local brew ‘Top Lock’ (what else?) was very good and John, feeling exceptionally flush, bought us all a pint. On the ride home John took us through the new ‘city’ that’s grown up on the old Royal Ordnance site at Euxton. We had a very pleasant ride home to end a good day. Many thanks John for a well-planned day out.
Dave A.