Lancaster to Manchester done

What a nice day. For a ride with such a nice man.

I got up at the usual time, had my usual breakfast of muesli in yoghurt (I know, sounds disgusting but I really like it) and went to the garage. Such is the morning routine that I very nearly got the road bike out and went off to work. Fortunately, I remembered and got that thing out again. Rode down to the station - the speed wobble down Pildacre Brow was a bit of a worry. I'd forgotten just how much it shakes at high speed.

Train was packed, but as I had a reserved seat I was OK. Bike was folded on the train, so not in danger of being in anyone's way. When I arrived in Manchester, I couldn't be bothered unfolding as the next train to Lancaster is only 1/2 hour wait. However, my train arrived at platform 2 and the Lancaster train leaves from platform 14. If you know Manchester Piccadilly station, you will know that platform 13 & 14 are over the footbridge. So I had to lug the folded thing up the stairs across the gangway and down the other side. By the time I got there, my arm was about dropping off!

Anyway, rest of the journey was uneventful and I arrived at the appointed time. It takes me so long to unfold the Space Genie that I think Alan was beginning to think I'd not come. He came to meet me on the platform.

His friend Cliff showed us the route out of Lancaster and we were on our way. Traffic was not too bad, and we were soon trundling along the lanes enjoying the warm June weather. The sun was trying to make a show, but high cloud meant it rarely came out.

When we got to Garstang, we stopped to consult the map and ponder the best route. As we were doing so a local 'proper' cyclist stopped and asked if we were OK with where we were going . He then offered to ride with us to take us through Preston without too much city centre cycling - and so we set off with him. I think Alan may have been a bit concerned our new friend would be too fast for him, but he slowed his pace to ours.

As we chatted along the roads, we found out his name was Steve and he works at a nuclear reprocessing plant near Preston. Thanks for your help Steve, without it I'm sure we would have ended up on a main drag through the centre of Preston.

Steve left us just before we stopped for lunch - which we had at a very nice garden centre cafe just outside Leyland (on the A49). After a leisurely lunch we headed off south again towards Wigan to pick up the A577.

The intention was to follow this almost to Manchester, but to turn off after Atherton and go through Eccles and Salford into Manchester central. However, we must have missed a turn at some point, as we nearly ended up in Bolton. But we realised in time and turned down the A6 into Manchester - arriving at about 3:40pm.

It made a real nice change just to pootle along at about 12mph and Alan is great company. Support his charity if you can - www.torturecare.org.uk.

Until next time....

Yes, I think there will be a next time!

Lancaster to Manchester

I thought I'd closed this blog, but I'm joining Alan Brice on his ride from Glasgow to London next week. You may know that he was one of the Folding Bike Challenge riders from last year.

Anyway, he works for a charidee that helps people who've been subject to torture and is raising money for them by doing this ride on his folding bike. I offered to ride one of the sections with him and he's said yes, so here goes. Its only 55 miles, so we should be finished by about 2pm - I'm assuming 10mph - I seem to recall Alan wasn't one of the fast set...

Friday 25th June, starting from Lancaster station at 8:39 (if the train arrives on time!)

Pictures and story to follow. Good news is; the weather looks set fair for it.

Here's his fundraising page if you want to make a donation:
http://www.torturecarefundraising.org.uk/alanbrice/donations

Or, view the progress here:
http://www.torturecare.org.uk/news/events/2949

Closing this blog

As the event is over, I have decided to close this blog. It has served its purpose well but now is in danger of becoming more about things I may or may not do in future. If you want to keep in touch, there is already another blog about the walks me and my brother do every month. It can be found at:
http://gastrowalks.blogspot.com/
Thanks for your support and interest.

More rides on a folder

I'd hate to think I've become a 'folder fanatic'. But some of 'the guys' who took part in the challenge live in the south and so don't get to see the wonderful scenery in the north. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of nice views in the south, and, as I found on the ride, a number of quite steep hills too. However, there isn't the rawness of the Peak district or the remoteness of places like the Yorkshire dales hence the idea of a ride in t'north.

Due to the limited number of gears on some of the bikes I've picked a relatively easy route from Buxton out to the Derwent reservoirs and returning through Monsal Head and Litton Dale. Let's hope the weather holds!

By the way, riding home the other day (on the road bike) I made the trip in 50:13 seconds. Although the target is inside 50 minutes, I didn't really believe I'd ever make it - the previous record stood at 53:14. Now I'm within a whisker of achieving target - which means it will have to change.

I don't quite understand how I managed to knock 3 minutes off because it didn't feel particularly windy - it was a tail wind, but going home it often is and it wasn't blowing excessively hard like today.

C2C on the Space Monkey?

I've been wondering what to do with the Space Monkey. I seriously considered throwing it in the Seine but it went on the van before I got sight of the river. Then I thought about selling it... but who would buy it? Similar models (albeit without the modifications) sell for about £50 - £100 on ebay. A price that really doesn't do justice to the craftmanship that has gone into this machine (stop laughing!)

I've seen on the Folding Bike Challenge Facebook page that some of the 'Guys' are considering doing either LEJoG (Lands End to John o' Groats to you and me) or something longer in France. Whilst I'd like to join in, there are a couple of things stopping me; time and money. To be more precise a lack of both.

So, I thought what about the Coast to Coast on the Space Monkey in a day? There are several different routes, but mostly about 150 - 180 miles long. I could do that in one hop.... couldn't I?

The advantage of a single day is I wouldn't have to rely on anyone else to help - no support vehicle to worry about; no overnight baggage to carry. I couldn't put panniers on the Monkey anyway, and I'm not even going to start with a rucksack on.

Maybe.... Spring 2010 would be a good time.... Monkey will need a bit more fiddling with; need to sort that rear wheel out and get a front wheel the same size so that I don't have to carry two sets of inner tubes. But that's more money, so maybe I won't bother.

Biggest advantage of a single day is I don't have to plan too far in advance. So, if the weather looks bad - can apply the first rule of cycling in the rain and go another time!

Some thoughts and photos

Can't believe what an easy ride my road bike is. The 'Space Monkey' (thanks Pepe, good name for it) weighs a lot and the gear is not as free rolling as it should be and the difference between the two is quite marked. Having said that, the ride position on the Monkey is very comfortable.

However, as 'the Guys' brought it back from Paris for me, I'm now looking for things to do with it. Clearly, I can't keep it. Any suggestions? If I kept it, I'd probably end up being some folding nerd and spend my time dreaming about the 'perfect folder' or taking pictures of it from odd angles. Or does that only happen to Brompton owners?

Amazing how much those guys pay for their machines too; and then whine about being ripped off because they consider they are over-priced. You could take my option and get a cheaper one....

Anyway, here are a couple of pictures of the trip. There are more on the Folding Bike Challenge Facebook page.

Day 3 & Day 4........

2 days worth to do in 1 because I forgot to do it yesterday, so here goes.......

Friday was a hard day into a strong headwind. All the 'fast' guys were told to take photos to slow them down. My room mate has a video and so I offered to get some video footage of him. I spent the morning pushing ahead then chasing to catch up again. Somehow managed to miss a turning doing that and added bout 5k to the day - not a big deal 4 me but stressed the organisers. No hills to speak of and so everyone completed the 85k stage. Stayed in a French version of Premier Inn and food was basic.

Saturday was the final 85k into Paris. Again a block headwind and was asked to help some of those finding it hard. Then pm some light hills and that final steep climb into Paris. Not many managed to climb that one... I had to use one of the hub unit gears! So not a waste of time at all buying that hub.

Haven't seen the river yet and bike on the van so will think of some other way of disposal. Offered it for sale to several French people but no takers. I will give a better update on Monday eve for those of you brave enough to actually read this drivel...