Post:            So this is one of those pouring with rain days one could never enjoy, but one is still driven to get those pedals round and make something of the day !   In Charlie’s earliest days awheel, he couldn’t even afford a cape, so at least those days are behind him.

Saturday, September 19                         Clayton Green    CTC run

 Ben came over in time for the club run this afternoon.  It was one of those consistently wet days, a day that seemed to hold out no hope of clearing up – what some folks would call a dreary day, but a day that was to us the same as any other, if a trifle wet.  We reached the Lawson’s Arms at 2.30pm, and by 3.00, when we started, there were eight of us present.  Belmont Road was taken, over the soaking moors – by the way Belmont claims the doubtful honour of being the wettest place in Lancashire – to Abbey Village, turning into the lanes just on the bend near Hoghton, and proceeding, still in the drenching downpour via Brindle to Clayton Green, and the Lord Nelson, an old coaching Inn for tea.

The Landlord, when he saw us, said: “Well, I always thought cyclists were a bit potty, but I know now!”  Our shoes and jackets were put to dry before a fire in the billiards room, whilst Billy, the club humorist, ran about  on the linoleum making ‘footprints’, and generally amusing us with his antics.  After tea, the piano was brought into action, and we amused ourselves by singing songs for an hour or more, and telling tales, some of which had to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt.

The rain had gone when we started again, in a strange light, caused by the sun amid rain clouds.  The main road took us swiftly to Chorley, then the lane route via Cowling, Limbrick and Heath Charnock, where I punctured.  Ben stayed with me to repair it, then both of us proceeded home via Chorley New Road.                                            35 miles