always lock up you bike!

Brilliant days riding I've to Flag cafe. today even I had a bike lock. not sure who would steal our bikes from that remote place. Mr Joy did know the combination but say the lock didn't open so he had to go to the nearest farm for a set of bolt cutters to free the two bikes.

today also saw the return of the Legend that is Ian Hull. all we need now is Bob back in the fold and the group is complete.
strangely in the cafe upstairs we counted 42 plug sockets!!! some actually in the rafters. we need to find out why the have some many.

Big cake

No rider wants to be the weakest link in a group ride. I remember turning up at the bus in my early years and looking around at the riders hoping somebody slower than me would turn up.
today I was the weakest link.
when all your mates know your struggling they never leave you. they just slow up and ride at your redline pace so they can take the piss. very childish but piss funny. they also ask you questions on the steeper climbs knowing fool well you can't fucking breathe. I do love that if I'm honest. not sure you get that in many other sports.

anyway, I had a cold so that's my excuse for any lack of talent today and I'm sticking to it.
top route today which when blind Pete is back riding we will plot with his shiny new Garmin thingy route GPS planner thing and stick it on Pedal Stop.
top cafe that in a pickle is. I wasn't in a pickle but more a tangle when I got there. foods great, just do t mention feminism, don't think it worked for Al.

biggest chocolate cake I've ever seen. pretty sure Mr Joy could have eaten that all on his own and still ridden back in front of me. but we are athletes so only bothered with every other sticky bin in the shop.

even though I was struggling I still did Winnats Pass after a full breakfast.
even got to rehydrate at the Nags an
d take in some sun. quality day in the sun riding with some great mates. my helmet was that salty after I had to put it in the sink. had to use a chair for that as I'm a short arse.

Goyte Valley

We had been waiting all summer for a decent day to ride the Goyte Valley. It started pretty dark but improved as the day went on.
Climbed out of Bradfield with a great view of Strines and Boots Foley. Down past Ladybower and over Thornhill to miss the road works in the valley. Left into Bradwell and up the main road. We actually missed the turn to Peak Forest and had to pick it up further on the road.
Found a nice descent into Chapel on Le Frith. Used a new cafe called 'In a Pickle' very nice place on the left as you ride up the main street. Great food and Illy coffee which was a first for me. Friendly staff and you can keep an eye in your bike while you eat. We will be using that cafe again.
Over to Whaley Bridge and straight on at the lights. It's a steeper climb but keeps you off the busy road. Then the great ride up the valley to the cat and fiddle. Top descent into Buxton before taking off down the very fast and busy main road leading to our turn off for Tideswell.

From there it was down Millers Dale through Tideswell and drop down to Bradwell. Up back over Thornhill and back for a nice pint in the Nags Head.

Top days riding with great company. Stayed dry too so it doesn't really get any better than that does it.

We did meet a rider from Manchester who was bound for Winnats Pass with a 32 sprocket so I hope he got up ok.

Eric once did that climb on a 21 but we don't need to hear that story again do we.

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