AUDLEM

Sunday 18th October, it's 5 deg C but sunny with no wind. Gerry, Neil and Phil are already at the County Officers. " Brave wearing shorts and mitts, Ray." " It'll warm up." And off we go, straight into the lanes with three taking a wheel each. As it's the inaugural ride for the Smilers today's plan is to find a pace which suits us for the 100 milers and to learn to work together effectively. We soon practice the latter as Neil punctures on passing a hedge cutter. But we're soon off again, doing our stints on the front and relaxing as the day warms a little. It's only the second ride I've done with Gerry this year; he's keeping his fitness and his cadence is still like a sewing machine - whereas mine is akin to the London Eye. We're soon rounding Beeston Castle, passing through Bunbury and Hilbre Bank in Alpraham before pulling up at the Boot and Slipper in Wettenhall. Here, Gerry has notched up 32 miles, takes the prompt and decides to give the ride the boot and us the slip with a " see you next week." Church Minshull is the furthest point east before setting the compass due south for Ravensmoor and Sound Heath to drop into Audlem via Coole Lane. We go round the back to take in Cox's Bank and Kinsey Heath before tying up at The Priest's House with 51 miles up and computer average of 16.6 mph.
We're ravenous and all decide on the all day breakfast. We realize later that it's so called because you have to wait all day for it - will we need lights? Stuffed to the gills (not a good idea) we're back in the saddles and retracing our steps. What little wind there is seems to be behind us as the going is particularly easy and there seems to be a chance of finishing the 100 in 6 hours riding time. The weather is ideal and the roads clean so progress is good. We add a loop or two so that we can avoid the thorns on the way back and we arrive back at the start point with 102 miles up in 5 hours 58 minutes. The average for the return is 17.4 mph to give an overall of 17.0 mph.
The consensus is that we will strengthen, so although there were signs of tiredness to differing degrees, 17 mph will be a reasonably motivating target for future, flatish rides.

You can view, and/or download the route,at www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=23604