I began my career with ICI in 1963 at their then headquarters in Welwyn Garden City where I joined my first cycling club, the Welwyn Wheelers,  and shortly after that I became a life member of the CTC. I didn’t really want to join the Wheelers, but at that time the CTC did not have a local support officer for riders doing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the Wheelers did, even though they were a racing club and I was doing cycle touring as part of my endeavours for the silver award. My choice of title for this report reminded me of those days; and the Wheelers are still going strong, I’ve just Googled them.

Our wheeling today would definitely not be classed as racing, although I did hasten to the Pavilion Café’s counter for a swift coffee when I arrived. The traditional Easter fair with its various rides was still open in the park, but alas there was not a big wheel for us to go awheeling on.

Seven of us enjoyed a cuppa in the café before the ride; Geoff, who had ridden over from home informed us of the muddy state of the towpath after Riley Green. No wonder it was muddy, it always seems to rain when we have a ride from Blackburn!Our journey westwards to Riley Green on the canal’s towpath passed without incident, usually there is at least on puncture on this section: the towpath was literally strewn with thorns too.

We arrived at the Boatyard Inn just as Stephen, Georgie and Frank arrived to join us. Since our last visit the establishment has changed ownership, food is now available 9-00am to 9-00pm, and to cap that we were actually made welcome. I was informed by the new owner’s representative that a full refurbishment was to carried out soon; things can only get better.

We had hoped the rain would have ceased whilst we dined: this was not the case, waterproofs were again donned. We said our goodbyes to Geoff here as he continued westward towards home. We had decided on our outward journey to use a slightly different route back, through the grounds of the now demolished Star Paper Mill towards Pleasington. We used the former track and what was the only vehicular access to Stanworth Farm. This track was cut off when the M65 was built, and another access road to the farm was built from the A675. Our route passed through the former paper mill which is being developed as a housing estate; I fear it will be down-graded to a footpath when the development is finished.

Crossing the A674 we rode up the hill into Pleasington to join NCN6 at the Priory and thus descended back to the start in Witton Park. Only a little of the route was on the Witton Weavers Way, hence the slight change of title.

Photos from the ride can be seen here https://www.flickr.com/photos/redroserascals/sets/72157664390010403

A wet, but nevertheless enjoyable ride, why not join us next Saturday for our ride from Sharples, Bolton to the Smithhills Country Park?

See you all soon, Brian.