Today was simply one of the best days I have ridden. The weather was perfect,( sunny about 22deg), there was a good mix of hills, long descents and flat riding together with some lovely country. Not to mention the birth of my 9th grandchild ( Mykayla Lee Harrison)...more on that later.
We started in Acton Bridge which was a cool start but after a short distance it cleared to a lovely morning.
Along the way to our coffee stop just out of Glazebury the scenery was simply wonderful and I hope the photos do justice to what we saw. The riding was fairly flat and both Chris and I enjoyed riding with a few of "the girls" who were full of beans asking us to "number off" as we rode in the peloton. Quite fun really as we had a long ride for the day.
We stopped for morning coffee at Bents Garden Centre for coffee as were simply gobsmacked by the size of this garden centre and what they offered. There was garden supplies, food and groceries, deli and one of the best patisseries I have seen. Talking to the staff there they were proud of the whole set up and it showed with the people there enjoying what it had to offer. Something like this would be good for Melbourne!
I might divert here to say that I found out my granddaughter arrived in to this world shortly before coffee. Congratulations to mum ( "Neat") ,dad (Christopher -CC), brother Copper and to Robyn ( Nanna). I am so proud of you all and look forward to meeting Mykala when I get home. Funny that the next town we travelled through was Leigh....seems like a good omen!
After our coffee stop for almost an hour both Chris and I decided that coffee and strawberry tart would see us through for sometime ahead!
We had a big climb up one side of the Pennines to a moor to complete...this was about a 3km climb. At the top of the hill the views were great and we enjoyed a banana and mandarin in celebration of our achievements.
The decent from the top of the climb was great with several opportunities to "let it rip"
We then proceeded through a series of towns that form the outskirts of Manchester and over the Manchester ship canal. We were quite near Wigan for instance and passed through Blackburn both of whom have football, teams ( Rugby and Soccer)
The next pert of the ride was through lovely country with rolling hills and the occasional "steep climb"
We arrived at our hotel at Hurst Green at about 3.30 pm in time to "shout the group" who were there some champagne to celebrate the arrival of Mykala....
Today was a great day to be alive!!
Tonight a friend from Melbourne, Bill Reynolds will join me for dinner and I am keen to find out how his trip is going and how he enjoyed the Ascot Races....
Finally congrats to Neat, CC and our course Cooper on the arrival of their daughter and sister....
I have a photo here for you all to see!!
Now for the photos....
The route today
Welcome to the world Mykala Lee Harrison-with proud dad!!
Back to the riding....bugger!!
The Bridge over the Manchester Shipping Canal
The canal from the bridge...
A train passed through the wheat fields...in fact it was stopped!!
Ian and Lorna on their bikes ahead of us...
Very nice people...
Bents Garden Centre..the patisserie
Yummm!
The garden shop...plant showing was terrific!
Chris and I celebrate Mykala with a coffee!!
Back to the Hills and up the Pennines!!!
Part of the climb!!
...and of course you have sailing on the reservoir at the top!!!
..and now for the long descent!!!!!!
I am more nervous on descending...
Another view on the way down
Near the Spread Eagle Hotel where Chris managed to dislodge a rock wall that had been standing for 500 years...ooopps. We descended from here after tidying up!!!
Home for the night at Shireburn Hotel
...not before celebrating with some Champagne!!!
Welcome Mykala and congrats to Neat, CC, Cooper and Nana
Congratulations on the new grandchild! Sounds like some spectacular riding there. I hope you have a great trip for the rest of your time.
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