4 riders turned up at the Myerscough pub for Steve’s Run in wet and windy weather. Although not as bad as had been forecast it was still not very suited to a scenic run out but off we went at a brisk pace up the A59 to the Petrie Arms roundabout and off through Langho to York Lane to take the narrow but scenic Moor Lane to Whalley. Visibility at this point was not too bad just the odd large raindrop falling from the trees to crash onto the visor and the odd insect finding a home in my helmet.
At Whalley we drove through the town and turned up to the Accrington road and then turned left towards Sabden. Here we took the Old Roman Road to back lane and rode through the dense and dark forest that borders the lane with more large raindrops crashing on the visor. We turned off Back Lane and took the road to Newchurch-in-Pendle and on to Barley where we stopped for a few minutes in the car park where we seemed to be guests of honour as it was their Fête Day!
Then off down the Pendle road to Downham and then on to Rimington and Gisburn.
100yards West on the A59 and right towards Bolton By Bowland. From here we headed to Slaidburn following some pretty muddy, gravelly and potholed roads in very wet conditions to arrive at Slaidburn for lunch at the car park Cafe. Dripping all over the floor we bought lunch and drinks and sat in the cafe with the rain pouring down outside. This gave Alan the chance to buy a portion of apple pie as he couldn’t resist it! Steve suggested we abandon the rest of the route and go the more direct route via Cow Ark back so that was agreed on.
Off we went in slightly lighter rain and just after Newton-in-Bowland we found the road to Cow Ark closed so we returned to Newton and headed for Dunsop Bridge. After passing Dunsop Bridge the sky lightened and the rain stopped so Steve stopped and suggested we follow the original plan to follow round the north side of Longridge Fell. We went along with this as the weather was definitely improving. I’m not sure of the route we took but at the New Drop Inn Steve said his goodbyes and went Down to Ribchester and home and we carried on to Longridge and Broughton.
At Broughton we were all a bit saddle sore so we took a couple of minutes rest in the car park at the Gate of Bengal Eatery before our final leg back to Lytham St Annes.
Despite the weather we all enjoyed the run of around 80 miles and thanks to Steve for planning such a varied route.
Chairman Richard