Another Tuesday ride

It seemed that all my recent rides have been in heavy rain and so it was nice that the Pedalpushers outing last night enjoyed some glorious sunshine. Well it did rain when we arrived at Barkers Pool but it soon passed.

Plan A was for Simon to lead a ride out to Litton but this was abandoned. Plan B was to go up to Owler Bar, on to Fox House and then Ringinglow and Lodge Moor. 1st part of the ride took us up through Meersbrook Park, Warminster Road, Norton and on to Holmesfield. On the way up I noted a couple of Simon's 'rules of cycling': Never ride your touring bike without the panniers attached (unless they fall off whilst riding) and wear as many layers as possible!

At Meadowhead Simon's gut rot got the better of him and he left us to it. Took usual route out to Holmesfield and then Owler Bar where we met Alan and Matthew (who had joined a PP ride for the 1st time tonight. At this point 3 of the group decided to go to the Grouse for a pint or two whilst myself, Alan, Matthew and Edward wanted to get a few more miles in. So off we set for Chatsworth and Beeley with a return back over Beeley Moor, Pudding Pie Hill and Millthorpe.

Hot air balloon low over Chatsworth estate. Although you wouldn't get me up in one of those, I always enjoy watching them. The ride back over Beeley Moor was truly beautiful. Bit of a tail wind all the way up the hill, sun out, minimal traffic and what looked like a Buzzard riding the thermals over the valley. Of all the climbs in the peaks I think I enjoy that one the most.

Took the narrow lane through Unthank down to Millthorpe. This was fun but caused Alan a bit of grief on his bling Gios with no mudguards as it was strewn in all kinds of large animal shit mixed with lots of rain water, grit and mud. He didn't look too happy at the bottom! Time was getting on and it looked like we wouldn't make it back to the Grouse to meet the others. Alan headed off back to Hope whilst we climbed Millthorpe Lane and Cartledge Lane to Holmesfield and back to Sheffield (stopping off for a pint on the way).

38 miles and very enjoyable it was too.

Altura Orkney Panniers

The 'dryline' technology in these (massive) rear panniers is supposed to ensure all your kit stays dry. This convinced me that there was no need to stick everything inside pastic bags in them.

Waterproof my arse! After a very wet trip from Derby last Friday some of my clothes in there were wet and a folder with the papers in there was almost ruined. Bah!