at the library this morning were Lewis , Martyn B , Mick the Ref , Rich C , Jack , Sky ,Martin L , Jonny D , V Cap Phil and myself mad John , It was decided at the library that Martyn and Lewis were going to townley hall the flat way but i think Mick tagged along has we never saw him after we split . The rest of us set off in the direction of Whalley.

After we split just out of Brighouse our group turned left then right towards Backisland and to the top of the hill climb by the Fleece pub down the other side left at the bottom and up to the top of Cragg Vale down Blackstone edge and right at the lights at the bottom back towards todmorden after a few miles we turned left up a long climb ” forgot the name ” but half way up we tutned right onto what i believe is called the Tower cause way after this we turned left towards burnley were we turned off the main road onto very small lumpy back roads were my clean white bike became black and full of mud this is were fryup told us it was half an hour to the cafe but after lots of short climbs and yet more muddy roads we  arrived in whalley 40 mins later at this point fryup told Martin Lucas to turn left and go home , Martin very suprised said ” but i want something to eat ” im off to the cafe , Phil people need to eat when there doing one of your rides , you cannot tell someone to go home 2 mins before we are getting to the cafe .

The Cafe was yet again a 5* establishment ,well done phil . we were all seated outside and service was brilliant we all had a good craic . Sky upset us all by telling us “He will be renewing his membership” but he says he is going to ask Alestair about racing with swift lmao . he also told us he as a sheep for every day of the week nod nod wink wink , Other talk was about the forth coming dave Raynor fund dinner which i hope all those going can make i think it will be awesome with 12 thorpes sat around the table its going to get messy , Alex i hope your up for it if your feeling better , after the banter it was time to get off so from the cafe it was back the way we came .

I was really suffering today and was last up the hills ” sorry guys ” too much sun and sangria , after a while the group split and there was Sky Phil Jonny and myself left , we came to an alt at some lights were Phil asked the question which way would you like to go the long flat way or the short way with a couple of small hills , like i say i was suffering so the short option sounded good , how many times am i going to fall for Phils short lumpy way Climb after climb then i started to recognise the road , We were heading towards Blackstone edge again , so it was steady away tapping a steady rythem out all the way , i did make it to the top without stopping more than i can say for a couple of the others lol :).

By this time i was totally wrecked but as you mat tell by this blog i did make it home .

My stats 95.5 miles at a terrible 13.8 mph

but the day was great tears of joy laughter and pain all mixed together , mybe we should do it again sometime when im alot fitter, Next week i believe were having a flat pacey run to selby so get on your bikes and get to the library for 9.00 am next sunday.

Until then have fun.

Mad John

Hope that just about covers it, by the way my vote for most improved rider will go to sky , yes i know hes a pain but he as come a long way this season and hes riding really well.