NewYearsDay2013

New Years Day Ride 2013

The 5th annual New Years day ride, started from the clubroom at 9.30am, in attendance with hangovers were myself, son Mark, Ralph Critchley and son Charlie, the chairman Allan Taylor and Macolm Heathcote on his brand new Kineseis mountain bike...

We set off knowing the coastal road was still flooded, but negotiated the water without any bother...

At Pontin's roundabout to meet was the current Audax Champion Peter Gawthorne and Mark[Ironman] Davies, as with last year we made a short detour to convey our greetings to fellow cyclist Dave Dwyer who is making steady progress after his horrendous accident 16 months ago.....

We carried on through the pinewoods to Freshfiled and onwards into Formby via the soft sand, it was at this point Ralph was taken to walking with the bike as he was on a 'hybrid' and couldn't get a grip!!!

Malcolm decided it was best to find as much standing water and puddles to ride through to demostrate his skills!!

A detour had to be made along the Formby bypass owing to work being done on the pathway adjacent to the railway line at Altcar, whilst riding into Hightown running in the opposite direction was the Southport Athletic Club amongst them I spotted Jane Horrocks[Sylvia Hyley's daughter]..on arrival at the Iron Men large crowds had gathered, the sea was up to the wall which covered most of the statues, the wind was cool and from the West so the lady in the 'chuck wagon' sensibly faced away from the sea...it was good to see John Clarke there with his wife Lil old friends of mine from Merseyside Wheelers in their new motorhome... My son always hungry needed a ' bacon and sausage' barm, while the rest of enjoyed the coffee or soup....

Suitably refreshed off we pedalled towards Sefton and Lunt village, meeting more runners en route....we headed towards the Cheshire Lines with the wind behind us, turning across the sodden fields....

Ralph and Charlie parted company with us at Haskayne and rode home to Ormskirk, at this stage Macolm was still 'showing off' his skills finding the harder routes.....

On reaching Plex Moss Lane we came across 2 of the Formby Belles...Lou Henderson and friend, after exchanging greetings, we carried on towards Ainsdale and said our goodbyes.....

To sum up, a great morning out, fresh clean air and something different than riding a road bike..

Sadly, no photos were taken as the Press Secretary forgot to bring a camera, still we have the memories on which to reflect... (Peter spotted a Long Tailed Tit and two Herons so we have added pictures of them.)

May I wish all our members and readers a happy, prosperous and successfull 2013...

Coiln Baldwin[President]

Posted 4 January 2013

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