The Legendary Pancake Run
It all started out a bit gloomy really. There we were, all ready to go – pillion seats made available for Alex and Louisa (who had come up to stay), boots, helmets and clothing found – when the heavens opened and the rain came down in buckets. Oh Phooey! A & L decided that discretion was the best part and stayed at home to mind the chilli while Norma and I ventured out on the bikes.
It wasn’t too bad when we finally set off and we had a pleasant ride over to Haslingden to see who had turned up.
Well, not bad really considering the weather and the fact that Manchester City were playing some sort of nancy game at Wembley. By the time we set off, there were 18 bikes and 8 pillions, including a contingent from CADHOC who had also come out to play and sample the food.
The ride was a bit damp in places so, as leader, I ignored the prepared route on my Garmin and kept to the major roads. There were no big issues and, after a 45 mile ride along nice sweepy roads and bends , trying to ignore the masses of traffic that was out (where did they all come from?), we arrived at Boundary Mill for a break.
By this time the weather had got a lot better and everyone seemed quite happy. It was here that I noticed that Andy’s chain (he from CADHOC) was very very loose. All hands to the mill (as it were), but no-one could undo the clamp bolt in the car park. So, we left it and went inside for a coffee and a warm up.
After about an hour, we came out to carry on. Phil and Gary were the last to appear, Phil having bought a crash helmet for his dog, Ted, (now this I have to see!!!). Andy (another Andy) was on an R6 and his better half, Gemma, decided to go pillion with me to see what a comfortable ride was like.
And so the journey home began. At this point, not only did it start to rain, but my radio began to play up and alternate between continuous transmission and complete silence. After a bit of this and one false turn, I set the Garmin to take me home. Which was interesting as it took us down a 1 in 4 hill with lots of turns and was very narrow. I think Gemma was more worried than I was.
Eventually, we all arrived at Syke and the fun really started. Norma was the hostess with the mostess (pancakes) and was just dishing them out as people asked. The chilli was superb (including bits of real chillies as a surprise) and the Spag Bog went down well for those who couldn’t take the hot food.
Some had more than others (mentioning no names – just take a look at the pictures to see who was greedy), but everyone must have had enough because there was some left over. Andy’s chain was sorted out, and the merriment went on all afternoon, but by 6pm everyone had departed. And so ended another great MANHOC Pancake Run.
Thanks to all who turned up and hope to see you all and more next year.
Rob's Report
Rode bike, dreamt of pancakes. Stopped, ate cake, dreamt of pancakes. Rode bike again, dreamt of pancakes, stopped.
ATE LOTS OF PANCAKES! Yaaaay!
Rode bike home, sick of pancakes, (only kidding!!). Massive THANKS to Norma!
Alan's Report