Southport Cycling Club meet in their clubroom in Victoria Park, Rotten Row (by the entrance opposite Beach Road) every Monday evening at 7.30 p.m. New member and vistors are welcome to attend the informal gathering.
To find the location of the club room the postode is PR8 2BZ. Click here for map. (The club room is at the green arrow)
The Saturday morning club run of about 30 miles leaves the bustop on Preston New Road, near the Plough Hotel roundabout at 9:30; pedalling through Banks village to Tarleton at a lesuirely pace, and through the quite back roads to Croston village and on to the cafe stop at the Fettler's Warfe near Rufford for a brew. The return route over the moss arrives back in Southport by about mid day.
The weekday runs also depart from the Plough bus stop; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30hrs . The Saturday and weekday runs are covered at a more comfortable pace, so if you're new to cycling these runs are the way to start.
The Sunday run leaves at 9:00hrs. and is for harder riders typically covering 80 miles, with one cafe stop.
Anyone with a road worthy bike is welcome to join in.
Juniors
Club runs for Juniors and Schoolboys take place most Sundays. The start location is the Club room in Victoria Park (see link to map on this page). Meet at 9.15. a.m. for a 9.30 start. Bikes are available for loan if you do not have one of your own. Check with the Secretary, Ken Beck on 01704 228968 if it is your first time.
Youth Nights are alternate Friday evenings at 6.00.pm at the Club room.
Ladies Night
Alternate Tuesdays at the club room from 7.00.pm to 9.00.pm.
Sunday 6 November - Through the Mersey Tunnel to the Eureka Cafe
Photos of the day are on the Photo Gallery page. Click the images to expand.
The day started cold and misty for some who rode from Tarleton. Riders gathered in Ainsdale ready for the start at 9.15am. 23 riders (most wearing Club kit- those who didn't know who they are) set off along the Formby bypasss and via the Hightown bends into Liverpool.
Regroup at the tunnel after the first of four p*nct*res for the day and on with rear lights. Regroup at the tunnel exit and through Birkenhead and via some of the villages in central Wirral to the Eureka Cafe. Friendly staff (who looked a bit shocked as the line of riders stretched out of the door) swung into action and toast, beans eggs and tea went down very nicely. 45 minutes in the cafe and back to the bikes.
North along the side of the Dee estuary, Puddington, Burton, Ness Gardens and then the Wirral country Park path to Hoylake. Turn to Moreton and then for New Brighton. Steve (Ginty) and Spencer (Coltman) wanted to see the sea so a detour took the riders to the sea wall. Along the wall and sand prsented a hazard with everybody forced to walk on a number of occasions. Back on the bikes Josh (Townson) found out that speedplay pedals did not like sand as his shoes were fixed to the bike. 10 minutes of struugle with him on/off the bike in/out of the shoes fixed the problem and so on to the waterfront towards Seacombe with views of the Liverpool waterfront.
Back through the Tunnel and out through the traffic free (if a bit rough) streets of Bootle and Netherton to Little Crosby and Ainsdale.
Back in Ainsdale at approx 4.00pm after 75 miles. A Grand Day Out and good fun was had by all.
Terry Seanor has set out to ride his age in miles on his birthday each year for the last few years. This year's route saw Terry joined by an "elite" group comprising the Burdekins, Greg Henderson, Alfie Shaw, Allan Taylor and Kevin Chicken for a round trip to Knott End. In spite of the absence of a number of big hitters? (Colin and Malcom being indisposed) the group set off at a fine pace across the Moss. Through Woodplumpton and on to the Toll Bridge where Terry dug deep for the fees. Arriving at the cafe just in time to beat the rush due to the imminent departure of the Knott End carnival procession, Terry refreshed himself with beans on toast followed by a slice of "birthday" cake which dissapeared at some speed.
At the start of the return journey Matt demonstrated why he is in the cycling club and not the Boy Scouts - a front wheel puncture - no tube, no tyre levers, no pump! Blown up but deflated again after 5 miles we then found that Allan's spare tubes would not fit the deep section rims. Kevin to the rescue with a brand new long valve tube - Matt you owe Kevin for that. Back to the Plough with no more incidents 78 Miles covered and Terry safely home. A grand day out.
Posted 15/07/2011
Click on the images for a bigger picture
26 June 2011 - Alfie leads the Way
26-06-11 Sunday clubrun saw a good turn out heading into Preston. The main group of more experienced (Older) members settled for a trip across the Fylde to the Cafe de Lune and back via Scorton. A smaller group of five (Mat,Dan,Les,Dave & Alfie) getting split from the main group and then heading for Scorton the long way round.Then on up over Jubilee Tower with Dan pushing the pace.Leaving us just enough time to take in the view over Morecambe Bay before plummeting down at brakeneck speed.Passing through Caton all minds were on one thing - were is the Cafe?
Alfie assuring us there was one at Bentham so on we went missing the Cafe at Wray until we finally got to High Bentham to find the Cafe closed down! So with Fathom Fell (webmaster - navigationally challenged??) to come it was onward and upward.Once at the top it was decided to loop back to Wray
where we thankfully spotted the Cafe.
With bottles filled we headed for home going back over Jubilee Tower for good measure! Reported to have completed 140 miles approx.
Thanks to Dave Morgan for the report posted 06/07/2011
19 June 2011 " And then there were three - or chaos reigns again"
A mostly dry but cool and breezy forecast again kept numbers down. I was joined by Dave Morgan along the Straight Mile, and only Gary Moscrop was waiting at the lane end. A fast moving trio of the two Andys ( Grice & Cargill) plus Arthur Dorian sped past doing well over 23mph -- assisted by a goodly breeze - and we were thankful that Tarleton lights gave us a chance to catch up. Steve Duffell appeared to swell the peloton to 7 riders, however as we passed Penwortham, Andy Cargill turned off - as he was just out for a short brisk ride. Approaching Preston, there were various suggestions as to the destination with Cobble Hey being touted, but after heeding instructions from the rear, it became apparent that Waddington was winning favour. All went well until we left Longridge, with Steve and Andy in the lead and everyone enjoying the mostly tailwind at this point. As we approached the turning for Rock Brow, our leaders headed in the direction of Chipping whilst Arthur swung right on his own - thinking that we were still going to Waddy. The shouts came too late - and he was committed. However as we approached Chipping Steve & Andy informed us that they were on a non stop strategy, and were heading back home. From Chipping the depleted peloton ( Dave, Gary and Myself) struck out for Chaigley and on to Waddington - halting briefly at Bashall Barn to see if Arthur had called in there - but no bike could be seen parked outside. We arrived at Waddy cafe to find it similarly devoid of cyclists. The return route was via Bashall Eaves, but once at Chipping, the prospect of a steady headwind all the way back home made us opt for the most direct route home via the City Centre. Apologies to Arthur for getting things mixed up -- it's nothing personal!.
This may seem heresy within the SCC but perhaps it might be an idea for a destination to be agreed upon before we get to Preston in future. Allan Clark
The case of the ever shrinking Sunday run - from Allan Stark
The first couple of Sundays in June have coincided with what can best be described as iffy weather. Even so a few (fool)hardy souls have managed to keep Southport jerseys visible around the lanes. Yesterdays (12 June) run started in fine dry conditions, but the forecast of bad weather moving in from the South was enough to deter most of the Southport peloton, with only Danny Burdekin and Gary Moscrop setting out from the Plough to be joined by Steve Duffell, Bill, Wally and Alan along Tarleton's 'Straight Mile'.
Steve didn't fancy a potential soaking, so nipped back home as we passed Penwortham, and Danny dropped off at Preston arena, as he'd something to do before heading home. That left a select and sociable group of four who took the wise decision to head over to Catforth for a brew, ( one of the best value brew stops in the area - with tea + beans on toast for just £4) before heading homewards via the Docks. By this stage the southerly wind had strengthened, and by the time we reached Longton it was time to 'cape up' to prevent a proper soaking -- though I guess Wally and Gary drew the short straws as Bill and I could bale out respectively for Tarleton and Leyland.
The previous week saw a slightly larger group set off from Tarleton in dull and breezy conditions, comprising Bill, Wally, Lennie, Alan, plus Dave and Paul? from Ormskirk. We were joined at Walmer Bridge by Pete Leonard, who then received a phone call from Arthur saying he was a little late but 'on his way'. He duly joined us about 10 minutes later - but so did the persistent drizzle. Dave & Paul had not brought rain jackets, so headed homewards, whilst the rest of us set off across the Fylde via as many sheltered lanes as Pete could find, towards the Cafe De Lune at Conder Green. We briefly stopped en route to shout encouragement ( hurl abuse) at Steve Duffell & Robbie Whitfield who were competing the LVRC vet's road race. The drizzle stopped after the lunch stop, and we made our way back at a sociable pace via Galgate, Scorton, Barnacre & Inglewhite, sticking to the sheltered lanes to keep out of the steady crosswind. A good run with everyone clocking up around 90 miles at around 16.5mph, and Wally breaking the 100 mile mark by the time he got back to Lydiate.
Here's hoping for warmer and drier weekends to come ( though I'll not be holding my breath -- this is the British Summer after all!)
Summer has Officially Arrived - Sunday 27th March - Report from Alan Stark
Summer time had officially arrived, and the roads were dry for a change, so the winter steed was left in the garage, and the good bike could make its first Sunday appearance of the year. Even so it was a bit chilly, and winter jackets, gloves and longs were order of the day. For a change I'd not slept in, so made it to the lane end in plenty of time. Martin appeared shortly afterwards, and then Andy Grice arrived from the direction of the Plough muttering that he's ridden all the way from Kirkham only to find on-one there at 9am. After checking watches it appeared that his was set about 10 mintes fast - and he'd actually left the Plough 5 minutes before the official meeting time!
Shortly afterwards the Southport mini peloton arrived ( consisting of Arthur Dorian, Andy Cargill and Gary Moscrop), and before we reached Tarleton lights we were joined by Bill Lloyd and Wally Goulding. Andy and Martin set a brisk pace at the front, though they were told to ease off a little when we got to Longton, ( but only after Lennie had caught up with us). The slight tailwind meant that we were rattling along at a comfy 20mph when Pete Leonard joined us before Hutton. The decision to go to Knott End was greeted with some relief, as it meant that there were no hills to cause splits in the peloton, and for a change some of the normally mucky lanes across the Fylde were nice and dry so those on summer bikes did not get splattered. Andy Grice was just out for the morning, so turned off as we approached Hambleton, though his disappearance from the front of the group did nothing to lower the speed, as Martin & Andy Cargill kept the pace steady whilst everyone else was glad of being able to sit in the wheels. The Knott End Cafe was fairly quiet when we arrived, so were in and out in good time.
The return run was in to a slight headwind, but that had little effect on Martin & Andy. Even Penwortham Hill did not result in a mass fracture of the group, and it was only after the 'Little Chef' roundabout that a split occurred with Bill, Wally and Lennie getting caught out by the traffic. By the time I got home I'd done about 85 miles at an average of just over 17mph - and for a change I'd not got dropped. -- but doubtless 'normal service' will resume next week when I assume my Lanterne Rouge position as we head for the hillier lanes
Posted 29/03/2011
Spence gets a Warning- Sunday 6 February
A small but elite group of riders ventured out in windy and damp conditions. Heading towards Southport Andy Grice and Pete Leonard met Steve Dufell, Martin Phillips, Steve Ginty and Spencer Coltman at Longton village. After turning in the road Pete was immediately struck by the length of time it took for him to get on the wheel of the fast moving foursome and after regaining his breath realised that there was a half wheeling duel taking place between Spence and Steve Duffell. At well over 20 mph the sextet sped through Preston, Spence giving scant regard to anybody caught out be a red light. This general trend continued all the way to Waddington. In the cafe Spence was given the verbal yellow card for his determination to ride the rest of the group into a state of exhaustion and on the way back to Preston a truce was called. After Chipping the heavens opened and Pete punctured ( everybody including Spence waited for him to change his inner tube- is this a first?????) and things got pretty miserable. Spence – this is your last warning, any more of your antics and you will find your tyres deflated and your brakes adjusted so they rub on the rims.
p.s Rumour has it that he will be back to work soon and this may give us mere mortals a chance.
This report from our Apprentice Development manager - not clear who is the apprentice or who is developing from this report.
Posted 09/02/2011
Preston Wheelers Reliability Race Ride - Sunday 30 January
Sunday saw the annual running of Preston Wheelers reliability trial (not sure where the “reliability” fits in but somebody will tell me). Not as many reliability trials around compared to 30 years ago so it’s not to be missed if you are young, very fit and like lots of hills. As I do not fit into any of these categories a cunning plan needed to be hatched to get around the 75 miles in one piece. Mark (I used to be a member of the club) Wilson suggested getting away from the start 30 minutes earlier then the peloton which would ensure we got to the soup stop first and from there we might be able to hang on till the A6 where we would bound to be blown away.
Mark was at my house (via car) at 8am together with Andy Grice and David Abram. The four of us were at the Withy Trees start at about 8.30 and were first to pay our £2. We were away shortly afterwards taking the Longridge road. The route was through Longridge, bypassing Chipping via the side of Longridge fell and dropping down onto the Whitewell road. The weather was damp and cold and before Dunsop Bridge we had to dismount to walk across a stretch of ice. We wondered if this would cause havoc on the 40 man bunch. After Dunsop Bridge the lumpy road led to Newton and then the climbing started over to Slaidburn and out of Slaidburn towards Tosside. I started to struggle up the hills but the four of us kept together until we took the road towards in the infamous Bowland Knotts climb where Andy danced ahead followed by Dave. We were all together again on the descent and got to the soup stop as planned. We had only just got our soup, bread and biscuit when the big hitters arrived( this was too soon for us). With them were John Findlay, Spencer Coltman and Steve Duffell. The four of us decided to get along the narrow dangerous roads towards Wray as far as we could before the fast boys had downed their soup and were on top of us so we set off doing bit and bit. We kept looking behind but they were not with us at Wray or Caton and on the road to Quernmore we started to slow with Marks back now giving him grief. At this point we did join up with Paul Johnstone (Preston Wheelers) and friend, who were just out for a ride, and they proceeded to drag us all the way to the A6. The fast boys never did catch us – not sure how we managed that. I think we were all suitably fatigued (polite word) by the time we reached Broughton lights. Hope Spence, John and Steve got round OK??
Postscript - A slightly more sensible group (Steve Ginty, Lennie Collins, Andy Cargill, Allan Taylor and Wally Goulding with a brief visit from Criag Middletion) took in Telegraph Hill and Oakenclough en route to Cobbled Hey cafe only to find it closed (dejavu). Across the lanes to Chipping encountering some nasty icy stretches and then back to Southport via Longridge.
Posted 02/02/2011
Which way did they go? Or a view from the rear - Sunday 23 January
Most of the usual suspects had congregated at Blackgate Lane End at 9.15, but as there was no sign of any peloton heading from the Plough by 9.30, we set of at a brisk pace towards Preston, picking up Pete and Andy around Longton. Things were disrupted by a puncture stop shortly afterwards, and a gentler pace was adopted as we picked our way through the city and out in the direction of Longridge.
In true Southport tradition, the location of the cafe stop was a closely guarded secret, but some mutterings had filtered their way to the back of the bunch that Waddington was the intended destination. Once in the lanes, the pace gradually picked up, and by the time the first little upwards 'click' was encountered, I assumed my normal 'Lanterne Rouge' position some distance off the back of the peloton. I briefly saw them again in the distance as they disappeared in the direction of Chaigley - and assumed I'd see them at the cafe. The sociable section this week consisted of yours truly -- as neither Wally nor Bill had appeared at Tarleton - so I settled down to a comfortable pace and enjoyed the pleasant ride through the lanes.
As the run a fortnight ago the group had found the Waddy cafe closed and had gone to Bashall Barn instead, so I glanced over as I passed, but only seeing 3 bikes assumed it they were not the Southport crowd, and pressed on - only to find there was no sign of anyone. One consolation was that I got served quickly for a change! I rode back via Chipping, Inglewhite, and Woodplumpton without seeing another soul going my way. I since found out that some had indeed gone to Bashall Barn, whilst others had pushed on to Dunsop Bridge Spencer apparently giving Andy a hard time.
Hey-ho (Memo to self -- get some more miles in so that I've got a chance of not being blown away on the first hill!) Alan Stark.
Posted 26/01/2011
The Over The Hill Gang Respond to Pete Leonards watery Sunday. Tuesday 18 January
Not to be outdone by Pete Leonard's account of Sunday rides, the TUESDAY club ride caters for the OVER THE HILL GANG, plus a few of the unemployed.
9.30am at the bus stop...9 riders assembled and Scorton was the agreed destination, which included a 'guest' rider from Bishop Auckland. A steady pace was set for the journey, the only stops en route are for those with urology problems.ie. weak bladders!!! A bit of mist/fog was encountered on Policeman's Hill, but the group arrived en masse at the Priory cafe. After being refreshed the return route was via Barnacre and Woodplumpton, all was going well until Matt Burdekin started to 'suffer' as the pace quickened, the hon.sec. was also feeling the pace.... The peloton split in Preston at traffic lights, but regrouped at PENWORTHAM after 2 of the older members stopped yet again for a 'pee'. Decent tempo through Longton saw the hon.sec off the back with Matt Burdekin., who by this time had completely 'bonked out', Colin gave him a full bottle and GO bar. The riders waited for him for 10minutes before resuming the journey.
At the Tarleton lights Matt was eating the bar and promptly fell off in the road, shortly afterwards he was left to fight his own way home...enough was enough!!!! Nutrition is a MUST on a 70 mile ride and a sausage buttie in a cafe isn't enough for an inexperienced rider...he will learn a valuable lesson from that excursion into the Lancashire Lanes. All in all a good day out in fine weather and not too cold either.
Keep pedallin' Colin Baldwin
Posted 18/01/2011
Sunday Club Run on 16 January - from Peter Leonard our watersport correspondent.
Well the phone went at 8 am and it was Andy Grice saying it was raining here (Newton, Preston) but David Abram (he must have been kidding) had told him it was not raining on Southport were we still going for a ride? Like an idiot I said yes thinking that as Andy and I had entered the Tour of Flanders Sportive in April I needed the miles. At nine Andy and I road off in torrential rain towards Southport. Nobody would be mad enough to ride from Southport in this??? Wrong. At Longton appeared Ian Robinson, Len Collins, John Findley, David Abram and Spencer Coltman.
At a brisk pace, instigated by Spence, we headed towards Scorton. Len, Ian and yours truly had enough of the rain by the time we reached Scorton and we dived into the cafe. Spence had pushed on towards Dunsop Bridge and Dave, Andy and John stood outside the Priory trying to make their minds up, eventually going to Dunsop Bridge but never seeing Spence again- did he get washed away? The Scorton trio found a couple of the Wallis Cycles team to follow from Scorton to Preston whilst the Dunsop Bridge trio returned home via Little Bowland. Spence – did you get home????? One thing is certain – we all got very very very wet.
Posted 17/01/2011
Sunday Club Run on 9 January - pace heats up - from Pete Leonard. Update from Alan Stark (See below)
With the racing season not far off things began to get a little bit more serious on last Sundays club run(9/1/11). Ten riders headed towards Preston with Waddington planned as the cafe stop. Andy Cargill was evident having purchased an all singing all dancing turbo trainer for Christmas that seems to have kept him fit. Some of the Preston Wheelers joined the group on the A6 but left soon afterwards. Approaching Longridge the pace increased and towards Chaigley the group split. On reaching Waddington there was dissapointment as the cafe was shut. The group retraced its steps and stopped at the Barn instead. This is now very up market but we still managed to get beans on toast with egg on top (two in some cases). It was decided to head up the drag towards the trough road on the way back which, as usual, resulted in a big ring session untill reaching the Chipping road. The group split again at Chipping some people opting for the flatter route towards Longridge whilst the rest went through the back roads. It was at this point that Pete Leonard lost his temper with certain members of the group as they were not keen to slow down for Martin Philips who had dropped something on the road. Pete then managed to switch Martin into a ditch. Martin was OK however and soon back on his bike. The ride to Broughton lights was uneventful and at a brisk pace. Pretty much your average Sunday ride.
Update The Sociable Section ( Wally and Alan to be precise) eased their way off the back of the main group just after Longridge, and took the scenic route via Rock Brow and Thornley Hall to Chipping, where they found the cafe open but virtually empty. The return journey via Bleasedale, Inglewhite, Broughton and Woodplumpton was enjoyable - particularly as they didn't have to contend with the muck being thrown up from the back wheels of those in the peloton without mudguards of mudflaps!
Picture is Peter in the Alps in 2007 (slightly warmer). Posted 11/01/2011.Update 12/01/2001
Regroup at the tunnel after the first of four p*nct*res for the day and on with rear lights. Regroup at the tunnel exit and through Birkenhead and via some of the villages in central Wirral to the Eureka Cafe. Friendly staff (who looked a bit shocked as the line of riders stretched out of the door) swung into action and toast, beans eggs and tea went down very nicely. 45 minutes in the cafe and back to the bikes.
Toll Bridge where Terry dug deep for the fees. Arriving at the cafe just in time to beat the rush due to the imminent departure of the Knott End carnival procession, Terry refreshed himself with beans on toast followed by a slice of "birthday" cake which dissapeared at some speed.
At the start of the return journey Matt demonstrated why he is in the cycling club and not the Boy Scouts - a front wheel puncture - no tube, no tyre levers, no pump! Blown up but deflated again after 5 miles we then found that Allan's spare tubes would not fit the deep section rims. Kevin to the rescue with a brand new long valve tube - Matt you owe Kevin for that. Back to the Plough with no more incidents 78 Miles covered and Terry safely home. A grand day out.
some cases). It was decided to head up the drag towards the trough road on the way back which, as usual, resulted in a big ring session untill reaching the Chipping road. The group split again at Chipping some people opting for the flatter route towards Longridge whilst the rest went through the back roads. It was at this point that Pete Leonard lost his temper with certain members of the group as they were not keen to slow down for Martin Philips who had dropped something on the road. Pete then managed to switch Martin into a ditch. Martin was OK however and soon back on his bike. The ride to Broughton lights was uneventful and at a brisk pace. Pretty much your average Sunday ride.