I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Ken jackosbournesnr, Rich Myshrall189 Nick Retrospud, Colin Bhill22, Pete elpedro666, Carl Dicko10 ,Martin HarryCrumb & Big ring Bill for making the effort to come and join me today, without your support guys these events would not take place.
I will also say a MASSIVE thank you to my brilliant wife for all her hard work and effort, her culinary skills really are the cherry on top of the cake and truly make the day!
The day started off overcast but not to cold and we covered the first 15miles to Melmerby in an hour this included a decent climb up from Kirkoswald to Gamblesby. Whilst in Melmerby I spotted a familiar Red Cliff Shrubb at the tea rooms a quick pop inside and Big ring Bill was added to the retro bike peloton and we headed off on the next 10 mile to Knock and the start of the big climb.
I won't lie it is tough, whilst the Martin the spaniel (they chase anything) made it to the top in 36mins ( I think)
I'd have to say a BIG congratulations to Nick for a first ride out it was bloody hard going and to Ken that oil tanker seemed to sink into the tarmac also to Bill for a guy who is 76yrs 45mins to the top is a brilliant achievement.
The best thing about getting to the top last is you don't have to hang around as long as the first riders who were getting pretty chilly by the time me and Nick got to the top. After the obligatory photo shoot at the top we made our way down ( probably a bit sketchy for Ken with no front brake) and on to our lunch stop in Duffton we were going to the Stag inn but unfortunately they had stopped serving food a 2 o'clock and it was 3 o'clock by the time we got there,Luckily for us there was a tearoom across the road which was I think a welcome sight for us all.
After filling our faces and a well deserved rest we headed on to Appleby to take the back road to Penrith and home an amusing part of the ride as the road is undulating and watching people take off up the climbs only for another rider to shoot off after them chasing them down before the top, this did lead to a bit of a breakaway in the peloton but as long as the rider with the directions was at the back they didn't get to far lol.
Once back at home and people changed out of their cycling gear food was consumed and trading began, Thanks to Colin for bringing me a very nice Stumpy (build thread coming soon) and Martin and Carl for taking away some of my surplus stock and to the rest of you for consuming all the food (no excuse for me to put on the pounds).
Thanks again to all for a really great day
ps please put up your pics