Tom is coming over to our place to spend the night this weekend, and I had to meet him at Broom Edge at 4.30pm today.  My new ‘recruit’ had promised to come along with me, and so the two of us started at 2.15.  Starting from Four Lane Ends, then the lanes from Atherton quickly took us to more congenial surroundings.  From Glazebury, we faced a rapidly increasing breeze, which gave us a warm time across Chat Moss.  Rixton, then over Warburton Toll Bridge to Heatley, and so along, uphill, to Broom Edge, where Tom was waiting.  As tea time was near, the three of us decided to make for Poplar Farm, a place which I know of.  Reaching High Legh, we joined the Warrington – Knutsford road, and fifteen minutes later reached the place in question.  I had lowered my gear from 66 to 61 inches that day, and I now have no hesitation in plumping for the lower gear.  I revelled in the hills, and passed them both, owing to the change, no doubt.  Maybe I will go lower still!  Anyway, whilst at tea with a Nottingham chap, who should walk in the door but that hardy veteran Tom Hughes!  We were well away then, and spent nearly two hours talking to him.  He greatly interested us with his stories of tours and hard rides, his experiences with ‘Wayfarer’, and showed us some of his excellent photographs which he had taken.  He gave Tom one of Brereton Green with another well known old-timer on the photographs.

At 7pm we left, Tom Hughes taking another route, we making our way to Lymm, where my chain, being slack, jumped off.  Luckily no damage was done, and the slack was quickly remedied.  From Heatley the wind was behind, and as it had assumed the proportions of a gale, we simply fled along.  Tom and I had a race over Warburton Bridge, but my lower gear won it for me.  I don’t ever remember taking this bridge at such a speed.  Their lamps continually blew out, giving me the laugh over them, as mine was the good old ‘Two Bob Lucas’ that has carried me through two Meriden’s, and four all nighters.  At Atherton mine went out, and kept going out for the rest of the run home.  This gave them the laugh, and they did not let me forget it!                                              56 miles