Only three made it out today. The temperature as I left the house was -6 and it felt bitterly cold as I made my way up the hill to the meeting point at Rawdon. I was pleased to see Ian was already there and Alan arrived shortly after so the ride was on.

The original plan to cycle to Ripon was shelved the night before and a more sensible route to Bolton Abbey via the main roads was agreed on.

This week’s cafe stop was the Abbey Tea room where we made a beeline for a table next to a radiator to try to thaw out our hands and feet.

As always, once the initial reluctance to the leave the house was overcome, the ride was more enjoyable than the temperature would suggest. The main roads were free from ice and the only patches we encountered were on the way back on the road from Beamsley.

The ride was 32 miles for me with 1785 feet of climbing, and at least we have once and for all settled the debate about who the hardest / daftest club members are.

Steve

p.s. 1 bonus point for guessing the film line without using google