ONCE again we avoided the worst of the weather as the wind had dropped since Saturday but it was still strong to gale force in parts.

Leaving Bury for Rochdale we made good progress with the wind behind us and at Littleborough we took the Calderbrook road passing the ventilation shafts of Summit tunnel on the top.

Main roads were then taken to Mytholmroyd and then quiet minor roads along the southern edge of the Calder valley before dropping down to Sowerby Bridge for "all day breakfast" in the cafe there.

Afterwards we climbed the aptly named Steep Lane which took us onto the tops of the moors where there was no respite from the strengthening wind. Our average speed on this section was very low and eventually we dropped onto the Crag Vale road and then faced another slog to the summit of Blackstone Edge. On the descent, which goes virtually through 180 degrees, we had a fierce headwind, a sidewind and a roaring tailwind.

Afternoon tea was taken in Littleborough before we retraced our morning route back to Bury arriving home just before the forecast rain.

Runs for Sunday: A Group to Croston, meet Bury 9am. B Group to Higher Walton, meet Bury 9.30pm.

BURY CLARION

A MODESTstart was made to our weekly rides last Sunday but the West Lancs Moors are always an attractive option for short rides.

Windy conditions prevailed but it was evident that they were not as severe as they had been as some stretches of road were littered with branches blown off trees. It was particularly pleasing to have Ernie Roughley with us on the ride as he had not been seen on a clubrun for some time now.

The 2005 track leagues start on Monday at Manchester Velodrome. In the past we have had two winners, two seconds and a third in the year long group competitions.

Continued success or not, our racing members will continue to enjoy this type of cycle racing. Our club has the benefit of being part of the nation-wide Velodrome.

We encourage second claim members to join us for these competitions. It is regrettable though that there are only two Bury schoolboys competing in this character building healthy sport.

TANDEM RIDING

CLUB FOR THE

VISUALLY

HANDICAPPED

OUR weekly rides have to be adapted to the varying abilities of our members, but those out on last Sundays ride to Todmorden were vigorous riders. In the event, they decided to take the long route through Cliviger Gorge to the lunch time venue.

A tailwind up to Burnley meant a cracking pace and this was maintained despite a cross wind as the group rode down the Gorge.

The outcome was an 11am arrival at Todmorden. The vigorous ride had however stimulated appetites and early refreshment was taken. Duly sustained it was down the Calder Valley to Littleborough. It was pay back time with the wind but this presented no difficulties for the men of vigour as they rode home to arrive back in Bury at 1pm.