There are up to four leasure riding groups -
  • Does you’re stamina needs building? Harold Woodcock (club President) does shorter Sunday rides; which are
    well worth considering!  ...Contact Harry on 01942 717804
  • A steady, easy pace group.
  • Slightly Faster Riders group.
  • Tuesday / Thursday group.
                                                                                 ...See below for details.
Club Leisure rides
                      
Autumn/Winters here again...‘Don’t stop me now!’      (isn’t that a song by Queen?)

There's lots of reasons to keep Pedalling throughout autumn and winter – ‘isn't there?'
Well;  yes there are:

  • 1.        You won’t lose the fitness you’ve gained over summer - It’s far easier to retain your fitness,
    than start again at rock bottom in spring!

  • 2.        Then, there’s weight gain to consider… Without using your bicycle to help burn-off calories -
    you may become ‘circumferentially challenged’!

  • 3.        You’ll keep the social side to group cycling - a chance to catch up and exchange banter - have
    the crack…as the Irish say!

  • 4.         Then there’s SAD, (Seasonal Affective Disorder) the lack of natural light you get by staying
    indoors... ...Outside in natural light helps to combats this problem - suffered by so many!

PS  - Winter miles make summer smiles.
                                            
                                          Fast Group -

    Over the past few months I have had several requests for more information regarding the Saturday club
    runs.

    I organise the rides taking into account the weather conditions and rider considerations.

    The most accurate weather forecasts are those which predict conditions no more than 48 hours ahead. For
    this reason, I usually only decide the route one or two days before the ride.

    Distances can vary from 25 miles through towns on main roads, if it`s icy in the winter, to 155 miles
    return ride to Windermere in the summer, on a settled dry day with a light northerly breeze (to help on the
    return leg). Rides generally average 14-19 mph but can be higher in patches. We have a regular group of
    riders whose abilities to ride together are well matched. However, everyone`s level of fitness and stamina
    is different throughout the year and for a variety of reasons. The rides I organise are tailored to meet the
    needs of the current group.

    Generally, the rides take place on Saturdays but the start times vary from 08:00 am to 09:00am.
    I notify the riders by text, usually the day before the ride, although sometimes I am able to give more
    advance notice.

    New riders are always welcome - the more the merrier I say.
    If any new riders wish to come and join us then please could you ask them to contact me on 01257 278038
    or 07708 177758.

    So, as you see, the reason that details of rides are not published on the web is simply because I don`t know
    myself until the day before.
    It`s all adhoc and finalised in a rush and texting is a quick and convenient way of letting riders know.

    New faces will always receive a
    warm welcome.
    Best regards,
    Ian Hughes.      
                     
                             Easy Pace Group -
    Every Sunday an easy pace group, which aims to cover about 60-80 miles at
    a sociable pace. The rides last about 6 hours, and this includes one or
    maybe two cafe stops. The riding speed is in the range 13-14 mph.  Bad
    weather may shorten the rides. The size of the group varies from a few to
    as many as Sixteen.
     The group meets at 9.00... alternating between riding north from the
    Cherry Gardens pub on Wigan Lane,  and south into
     Cheshire from Ashton Library.

                                
    The Tuesday and Thursday rides have a similar format to the Sunday runs -
    an easy social ride of about 60 miles with two cafe stops. Rides begin at
    9.30 and return about 4 pm.
     If you are free during the week and would like to join the group; call Harry
    Woodcock, on (01942) 717804.
  • Tuesday: meet on the motorway bridge 1/4 mile from Bryn lights on
    the road towards Billinge (Downall Green Road)
  • Thursday: meet at Pimbletts Farm, 1/2 mile from Bryn lights at the
    junction of Bryn Rd / Bryn Rd South.
The photo shows some of our
bunch at the top of Winnats pass.
. . back in November, when we
were blessed with unseasonably
warm conditions.
Photo taken by Eddie Farrell.