50 miles in 4 hours Challenge Ride 9th April

Brian recently mentioned the idea of a challenge ride of 50 miles in 4 hours. It being a Thursday and having no social engagements I decided to try one and devised the route described below. Not taking any chances, I chose the carbon bike!

I left the Boot & Shoe at 7:07 and straight down the A6 to pick up Route 6 at Galgate. I kept straight on at 5 lane Ends, via Street to Scorton (Route 6 again). I then Picked up the A6 then off through Garstang to take Stubbins Lane to join route 6 again by Claughton Village Hall.  

The wind was a steady SE and I wondered if it would hamper my efforts for the ride.

At Inglewhite I turned off right to go south to the B5269, crossing the A6 at Broughton (furthest south) and then picking up Route 90 along Eaves Lane and Benson’s Lane. The wind helped after I turned Left at Myerscough to St Michael’s, across the Wyre then followed the north bank to Out Rawcliffe, avoiding all the options to Hambleton. I arrived at Stalmine then followed the A588 all the way back to Lancaster.

On Head Dyke Lane, a large truck overtook me just before a blind bend and decided the cheaper course was not to hit the approaching car. I went up onto the verge and off the bike, but both stayed upright. He did stop, get out and apologise, but I chose to ride a bit further out into the carriageway after that. A bit further on I gave him a cheery wave as he stopped at a farm.

At 10:00 I pulled off the road at Lane Ends “Amenity Centre” for a hot cross bun and cold sweet black coffee. The picnic table had been completely covered with birdseed by some thoughtful person. During my brief stay I was regaled by two cocks, who were strutting and crowing nearby, together with an eclectic mix of hens (not your common Rhode Island reds or Light Sussex; one of them even looked like it was covered in grey fur rather than feathers). The toilet “amenity” was a nearby tree and after about 7 minutes I was back on the bike.

The wind seemed to be against me across the marsh; I think it had sneakily backed to easterly. This seemed to be confirmed when I turned northwards at Cockerham and it gave me no more trouble.

I arrived home (near the Boot & Shoe) after (amazing to me) 3 hours and 44 minutes.

My smartphone indicated 53 miles, 1700 feet  and 14 m.p.h. average speed.

No more exercise allowed by law today!

Mike Codd