FIVE hardy souls turned up for last Sunday's A run and in view of the conditions and forecast, it was unanimously decided to go to the Clarion Club house at Roughlee. A real bolt-hole at this time of the year.

On the tops going over Burnley Summit, it was wild with high winds gusting across our path. From Burnley, we took the direct route down Barden Lane to Fence and then on to Roughlee. We arrived at 11am and there were only a handful of hikers in, so we settled in with pint mugs of tea for 35p.

Stepping in to the club house is like turning the clock back 70 years. There is a roaring fire in the grate and Keir Hardie gazes down from the wall at the travellers gathered around the wooden benches.

Due to modern health and safety standards, the club house needs substantial work doing to it and plans for a new building were on display. Various designs looked more like a nuclear bunker, a prison and a Buddhist Temple. There was also a plan to build a car park. On reflection, we supported the alternative of renovating the present building to retain its unique character.

After lunch, we walked up the one in five Newchurch-in-Pendle where Alice Nutter is buried in the church yard.

We decided to forego the delights of Sabden Heights and descended on to the Fence bypass where we fought against a severe head-wind in to Clayton-le-Moors.

From here we took the usual route home through Accrington to Baxenden and then followed a glacial overflow channel to Haslingden, formed at the end of the last glacial period about 10,000 years ago when melt water from the Accrington area overflowed and poured southwards towards where Manchester is now, eroding a channel as it did so. Without this the ride would be even tougher.

We arrived home just in time to see the World Track Championships on TV from Manchester Velodrome, and just before the rain came down.

This Sunday, the A ride is to Hayfield in Derbyshire, depart Bury 9am. The B ride is to Inglewhite, depart Bury 9.30am. There is also the Manchester DA AGM at Poplar 2000, depart Bury 9.30am.

On Tuesday, November 7, at 8.30pm (note the later start time) at the Blue Bell, Bell Lane, Bury, there will be the Bury Section AGM. All members are requested to attend.

BURY CLARION

FOR the second Sunday in succession there was a window in the atrocious weather conditions but again a short ride to Rivington was decided as being the best option for our weekly run.

Later in the afternoon, weather conditions deteriorated but by this time the ride was over. Other members were secure from the elements enjoying the last day of the world cycling championships at the Manchester Velodrome, and cheering Robert Hayles on to his bronze medal in the individual pursuit.

TANDEM RIDING CLUB FOR THE

VISUALLY HANDICAPPED

SEVEN tandems congregated at the Tottington HQ of the club last Sunday for the run to Whalley Abbey.

The weather conditions did not look too bad but wisely, due note had been taken of the weather forecast and the planned ride was abandoned in favour of a short ride to Rivington.

This was lengthened by taking the Walmersley Road route to Ramsbottom to make the ride something of a tour. Onward then, the tourists sped to Hawkshaw and Bradshaw for the Horwich approach to Rivington Barn for a lunch-time refreshment.

Front rider member David Jones was out in his car around Whalley on the day and confirmed the wisdom of choosing a short ride.

LANCASHIRE ROAD CLUB

BURY based riders Mike Bland and Derek Pritchard completed their season by riding tandem in the recent combined clubs' 25-miles time trial organised by the North Lancs Time Trials Association.

Two forced stops meant that they slipped to a one-hour, 4 minute, 26 second ride. Also riding was Walshaw's Phil Rowley who clocked 1.9.11.