Vale Royal AC Runners

Thanks to Mary, we now have the full story on why it took so long for LeJoggers to get through Warrington (and i'm sure we'll hear Goffy's side of this story after the trip!):

A few of us agreed to accompany the Dynamic Duo on the Northwich to Lancaster stage. With a start time of 8.30am, we started to gather from 8.15am, nervously adjusting our gear and gears, waiting patiently for Thunderbolt and Lightening to turn up. They made their entrance at 8.28am.

A quick headcount saw Darren and Helen, Thomas, Goffy's nephew plus dad, Philip, Jo Moly, Toppo and Mary, Matt S with daughter Ella, George and Speedy 'all the gear, no idea'- Weedy. The latter looking particularly cool in the sunglasses he'd said Mark could borrow. We were ready for the off - but where was Head Coach, Ken - never late - Bennion? We waited and as time slipped by, the nerves increased and there was concern that Ken must have had an accident.( As Ken is never late). 8.38am Ken came into view and there was an audible sigh of relief.

Mark was getting tetchy and without further ado we were off. Mark in the vanguard, hotly pursued by George. The peleton was spreadout by the first roundabout with those of us using stabilisers still exiting the carpark, grateful that it was left rather than right at the first junction. To cries of Vive Le Jog we hurtled towards Northwich.

Worth mentioning at this point that Ella is that delightful age where she totally trusts her father which is lucky as she was on the back of the world's longest bike and being thrown around at least two lanes as Matt attacked the roundabout.

Some five minutes later disaster struck as Thomas appeared to swerve to avoid a car and took a tumble. He jumped up quickly and as his dad checked him out the tail-enders passed him by to catch up on the leaders who were patiently waiting by the traffic lights with less patient cars queued behind. We waited and waited but no Thomas or Philip. Toppo ever the intrepid, decided to go back to find out what was happening and agreed to meet us at The Beech Tree at Barton.

We set off up Winnington Hill, left at Barton/Winnington Bridge (with The Good Luck sign for the Boys which no-one saw) onwards to The Beech Tree where we congregated again. By this time we'd now lost Matt and Ella, Jo, Ken, Toppo, Philip and Thomas.

Matt and Ella had planned to go no further than Barton ( according to Mark - whose was becoming decidedly more tetchy). Diane then arrived with Thomas in her car explaining that the chain had come off his bike. We continued to look down the road when Jo and Ken appeared from quite the wrong direction. They'd headed right at the Bridge and had decided to do a mini-tour of Barton housing estates. Philip then arrived but there was still no sign of Toppo. We waited and waited.

By now Goffy was getting tetchy. Maybe the team ride wasn't such a good idea after all. A quick check of the computers revealed that we'd cycled 3.75 miles in 40 minutes and that it was now 9.20. Speedy Weedy had covered 4.25 miles but that was only because he couldn't get his feet out of his newly acquired cleats ( that's cleats Jane ) and had been cycling round the car park for the last 10 minutes.

We tried to contact Toppo to no avail. We decided to give it until 9.30. Goffy and Mark were both getting a bit tetchy as Lancaster by midnight was looking distinctly unlikely. Finally contact was made with Toppo who'd decided to go via Comberbach. ( Why?) We agreed to meet him at the Cat and Lion at Stretton. I think I heard someone say that the lion will have ate the cat by the time we get there but I can't be sure.

We set off again and managed at least 8 minutes cycling to get to the A49. We were in spitting distance of the Cat and Lion when disaster struck again. This time Helen had a puncture. We agreed to wait for her at the Cat and Lion in case we missed Toppo again. We were a bit worried he'd head off to do a circuit of Preston Brook if left alone for too long.

Eventually, we all met at the Cat and Lion. Toppo was embraced like a long lost brother. 10.15 and we hadn't got to Warrington. After Stretton the lesser domestiques - Toppo, Jo Moly, Mary and George peeled off leaving the others to progress to Winnick. Toppo had cycled less than quarter a mile with the rest of the group.

Progress now appeared to speed up. Darren and Helen continued to Lowton ( where?) before making their way back.

After this Ken Ben, Speedy Weedy, Goffy and Mark really started to motor. I'm reliably informed that they reached a top speed of 29 mph ( this was Mark going downhill) and averaged 19 mph . There were a few road rage moments. After being cut up by a boy racer, Goffy caught the offender up and gave him a really hard stare.

The chaps made it to Carnforth by about 5pm. Mark matched his biggest breakfast with the

biggest salad we've seen in a long time. Those truckers know how to eat.

We left them relaxed and anticipating the next day at 6.30.