Club runs 12th and 13th Jan 2008
The Saturday run left the Plough bus stop with over a dozen riders . The destination was a cafe stop at Rivington, to make the most  reasonable weather conditions, Despite a couple of punctures within a few miles of the start eight riders made it to the Lower Barn, for a quick stop before returning via Adlington, Coppull, and Eccleston to be back in Southport for 1:30. Riders who had to be back early doors stuck to a shorter route through Mawdsley and Rufford.
If the weather is ok next week Rivington will again be the target.

The Sunday run only had seven rider en route to Chipping cafe; this was probably due to the forecast of horrific conditions, that didn't occur. The pace was slowed by more punctures, so a lap of Beacon Fell was taken in to make a ride of it. The return journey took the bunch briefly onto the Fylde and through the back of Preston Marina before arriving back in Southport having covered 70 miles.

Club run 28th Oct.
The number of riders on the Sunday club runs is on the increase as the racing season is closing and the evenings have drawn. While still sociable events, up to the cafe stop, the number of participants is dependant on the weather condition. This Sunday several members were on the club weekend in the Lake District, in training for the club dinner hydration session.With poor weather overnight and into the early hours, only a couple of riders were available for the jaunt.
A ride out through Leyland, Heapy and around Anglesarke to the Piano Bar at Rivington then back through Eccleston as the rain gave way to a mild and dry afternoon kept the Southport jerseys visible on the Lancashire lanes.

Club run 21st Oct.
A pleasant autumn day had about 20 club members heading north for the weekly ride around the lanes. Heading towards north Lancashire a detour over the steep climbs of Oakenclough and Harris End Fell split the field, with one group heading to Dunsop Bridge via the Trough of Bowland then back through Chipping; while a larger bunch bailed out to the cafe at Scorton. All return home tired but dry.
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Club run 29th April
The usual suspect left Southport pedalling into a chilly easterly wind with guest appearances from Gary Mosscrop and Terry Seanor.
After picking up the riders from outlying areas the bunch of 18 rode through Longton to Lostock Hall and Walton-le-Dale to the lanes of Salmesbury where the climbing started. Over Mellor and Ramsgreave the group stayed together, but in the village of York the brave riders took a right turn to decend Whalley nab then a fast run to Waddington via Mitton. Those built for comfort rather than speed took the scenic descent into Whalley and through Wiswell, Pendleton and Clitheroe.
The venue of Waddington cafe had been agreed on at the start of the ride as over the last few months the group has been dispersed to all the cafes in Lancashire.
This idea of forward planning may catch on !
On leaving the cafe the sun had come out and there was a prospect of a tail wind back. Again a route was agreed, more planning going on! through Bashall Eaves, passed Browsholme Hall and through Chipping.
Leaving the quite lanes and picking up the B-roads the speed began to pick up; the main culprit was Karl, with Pete and Craig joining in big-ringing it to Broughton with everyone else hanging on to wheels.
Having regrouped to ride through Preston and a pop stop in Penwortham the peleton returned to Southport at a more sedate pace in the sunshine, having covered 80 miles.

Club run 8th April
Another good turn out for the Sunday run had two dozen regulars and a couple of riders new to the Sunday outing heading towards Preston, with a tail wind. Over Penwortham bridge the goup split, with the sociable group heading towards the Fylde and Scorton while the unsociables went inland over Longridge fell and Marl Hill to Dunsop Bridge in an attempt to put in some quality miles. Pete Leonard and his buddy are riding the end2end in May, Dave W and Rob W are preparing for the racing season, others are just trying to build up a bit of fitness for the Thursday Evening 10's. (the first for 2007 is on 12th April)
After a long stop in the cafe at Dunsop Bridge the 12 riders set off on the return leg through Whitewell and Broughton into a strong cold wind. Dave W and Chris Diggle rode on the front setting a fast pace with everyone else hanging on. As the bunch left Preston with Chris and Dave still on the front, the 25mph into a strong headwind caused the group to split, apparently Dave upped the tempo at Tarleton with only Rob and Mark W able to hang on to Southport.
74 dry miles, back in Southport for 2:00 pm

Club Run 25th March
For the first Sunday of the British Summer Time riding season 10 hopefuls gathered at the Preston New Road bus stop ready for the 9:15 off. A last minute participant was Eddie O'B who is in fine fettle for the Club Downhill competition.

As the Tarleton posse tagged on en route 25 riders took in a tour of Preston dock before heading through Ashton and onto the Fylde. The route through these lanes was for a change of scenery, but a strong easterly wind had not been considered.

Due to some duff navigation by second wheel Wilson, the group went way off course through a twee little village of Treales, complete with windmill; to be guided back towards St Michael's by Pete's intricate local knowledge.

After St Michael's a round about route towards Pilling, then Nateby and Winmarleigh into some strong headwinds on exposed roads with no shelter, the bunch stuck together arriving at the Priory café in Scorton after 45 miles.

The laughing group returned from Scorton over Barnacre and Woodplumpton in spring sunshine at a relaxed pace, set by Paul and Wally with Ken and Bill and Andy C in tow.

On the remaining riders return journey over Harris End fell, through Bleasdale Park and a lap of Beacon Fell, many of the riders commented on how long it had been since they last rode in these scenic roads, by the top of the Beacon they remebered why it had been so long. The pace increased on the descent and through Inglewhite to 25 mph when Pete had a double blow out, and just managed to control his bike and avoid a pile up.

On leaving Preston Dave W, Rob, Graham, Chris and Tom D wound the pace up with some through and off  to take the bunch down the Longton by-pass at 30mph. As fewer riders went through it was inevitable that some riders were about to go off. As Dave and Tom gave it big licks on the front taking the pace to 32mph, the riders on winter gears had their legs flailing round at 120rpm and were bound to lose contact. This happened at Bretherton Island and the peloton disappeared in a cloud of dust.

On returning to Southport 83 dry miles had been covered at a brisk tempo.
Must try harder next week !

Club run 18th March
Due to inclement weather the Sunday run was a DNS
A few riders left the Plough on schedule in bitterley cold and wet conditions and at Longton headed inland for a short circuit of West Lancashire before retreating home for an early bath. Pete L had a wind assisted ride out from Kirkham, and spent the afternoon trying to pedal back there. Arthur had taken his bike by car to Tarleton, but on seeing the horizontal hailstones he decided to return to Magull without even taking his bike out of the car. By Ormskirk the skys had cleared, so here did an about turn and went back to Tarleton ready for thhe off, but at Tarleton the haail was still horizontal so he called it a day, abandonee !!
Roll on summer.

Club Run 11th March
A poor weather forecast did not stop a dozen riders gathering at the Preston New Road bus stop ready for the off at 9:15. By the time the group had reached Tarleton the usual suspects from the outlying regions had joined in including Wally and Graham Goulding who had riden from Lydiate, and Lennie from Bescar Lane, and Penwortham Steve, who had an early start to ride towards Southport..
The peleton rode steadily into Preston, which was a surprise as some of the local racers were in the bunch, Dave Williams, Rob Whitfield and Steve Clark from the racing scene. After Preston the group split with the more sociable riders making their way towards Garstang and Scorton and the remainder heading inland through Chipping and over Little Bowland into the Hodder Valley towards Dunsop Bridge. The sun began to shine and the temperature went up, so did the speed. As the group headed towards the 1 in 7 climb of the Boundary Hill there was no easing off, and soon there was a bunch of indiviuals all over the climb.
The decend gave the group a chance to reform, but it splintered again into the headwind towards the cafe stop at Scorton; where the sociable group were waiting to greet the second group with some jovial comments and shafts of wit.
The return journey into the wind over Barnacre and through Woodplumpton then a lap of Preston docks left the 16 mile leg into Southport, with rain threatening. As the riders left Preston Dave W, Dave H, Rob and Graham set too on the front with a session of through  and off at a steady 24 mph all the way back.
With 83 dry miles clocked up at pronto tempo it was another grand day out for SouthportCC.

Club Run 18th Feb
There was a good turnout again on Sunday with 25+ riders out, and the weather was ideal despite an overnight frost..
No route had been planned until the peleton rode up the A6 out of Preston. All the group apart from Wally Goulding,Tony Clarkson and Paul Mayor turned off east towards Haighton Manor
and Chipping then over Little Bowland and through the Trough of Bowland before stopping at Scorton.
The big group split up in the rolling lanes before Chipping due to the high tempo, but there was a bit of a regroup for the slower riders when Bill Sedgwick punctured on Little Bowland whilst he was trying to keep with the fast boys. He had no spare so he had to wait for the slower group, a bit of a welcome salvation in truth.
Paul an Wally went up Bell Lane through the reservoirs and over Harris End then into Scorton, Tony taking the flatter option past Barnacre Chuch.
Dave Williams, Gary Adamson et al just had a pop stop at Scorton, but all our boys were only to glad stop to re-fuel and rest. The return via Barnacre and then across to Woodplumpton was pretty brisk, Karl Turner was pressing on.
The two Andys, Cargill and Grice couldn't handle the return pace and lost contact. From Woodplumton, Paul and Pete Leonard took over and brought a bit of sense to the proceedings through to Hoole.
A good day all round, 80+ miles for the Trough group, but there were some pretty tired legs aroundfor the last few miles over the moss from Tarleton.
 

Club Run 11th Feb
Despite drizzling rain at 9:00 there were 10 takers for the weekly ride leaving the bus stop at the end of Preston New Road. Most riders were suprised at the turnout, expecting no one else to be daft enough to set off in the rain.
For a change of scenery the Piano bar at Rivington was selected as the venue  for refreshments, and the route through Leyland, Brindle and Tockholes. By the time the riders went through Bretherton there were more than 20 in the group, travelling at an easy pace. By Feniscowles the group had split into two, and a large gap had opened up as the climbing continued. The faster riders continued to Darwin then down the busy A666 to the Bolton ring road having missed the turn to Belmont due to the high speed. Fortunatley there navigation error was pointed out before they took off towards Horwich. The climb over to Rivington from Belmont led to an overdue cafe stop. In the Piano bar were the riders who had followed the planned route, they were fed and watered and far more relaxed; and keen to point this out.
The return journey through Adlington, Charnock Richard and Burscough gave a mileage of 70, with sunshine for the last 25 miles. and back in Southport just after 2:00pm
Another grand day out ! (for some)

Club Run 4th Feb
Only Allan and Lindsay left the meeting place for the Sunday run at 9:00; both having pedalled through the town from Ainsdale and Formby. As the duo made their way north they were joined by the Tarleton posse, Wally and Arthur from Lydiate way, and a group of Southport riders who had been chasing them down after late starts. There were over twenty riders as the bunch crossed the Ribble. An untimely puncture caused the peleton to split into three groups, some waited, some hesitated while others rode on oblivious to the need to replace an inner tube.
As one group left Preston through Haighton Manor Pete set an awesome pace through Chaigley to the cafe at Waddington, the other riders suffered as they chased his wheel.
Eventually a second group arrived at the cafe having pedalled through Longridge and Stoneyhurst College.
The return journey made the most of the clear day with a senic ride through Bashall Town, past Browsholme Hall and Horne Inn, Woodplumpton and round the Preston Dock.
Next weeks ride will be to Kirkby Lonsdale, weather permitting.

Club Run 28th Jan
The a smaller than usual group of Sunday riders left the Plough at 9:15 due to club members taking part in other events.. The lesuirely ride to the cafe stop at Scorton seemed a good start to the day, but strong head winds on the return journey gave the riders a tough ride back to Southport.
Pete, Lenny, Arthur together with local riders from the Kuota racing squad rode the 72 mile Preston Wheelers reliability trial around North Lancashire. Strong winds and rain over Bowland Knotts caused splits in the peleton, with our chaps completing the return journey through Queremore at a more sedate pace than the fast men from the host club.
Another group of Southport CC riders, including Bolton lads Lee and Dave, rode the Mere200k Audax event from Cheadle to the Welsh borders The Southport group completed the 130 miles in under 9 hours, reaching the finish as darkness arrived. The next local Audax event is the "North West Passage" from Rochdale on feb 17th.
In summary; Jan 28th was a tough day for all our riders

Club Run 21st Jan
Cold, wet and wid weather conditions caused the club run to be abandoned by riders from Southport, who considered discression to be the better choice. Riders from outlying areas were either more brave or less discerning. Wally, Arthur and Carl were met at Scorton by Pete for a miserable wet ride home.

Club run 14th Jan
24 riders were in the bunch by Preston, the largest turnout for a few months. The ride through Woodplumpton to Bilsborrow was another fast one with Carl again setting the tempo. The climb of Telegraph hill split the peloton, with the leading group turning right after the descent of Harris End Fell and making their way throught the Trough of Bowland to a cafe stop at Dunsop Bridge. The remainding riders headed for a stop at Scorton. Both groups faced a strong headwind on the ride back to Southport, but again remained dry, after 80+ miles.

Club run 7th Jan 2007
The first club run of 2007 was well attended, especially as the weather forecast predicted heavy rain. The peloton included young Josh who kept up the fast pace as far as Penwortham where he turned of with Ken, to give Ken a rest, and they returned through the lanes around Leyland.
The peloton continued through Preston, Woodplumpton, StMichael's and Winmarleigh at a fast pace with Carl and Dave H setting the tempo. After a Cafe stop at Scorton the return journey through Barnacre and Woodplumpton had the riders back in Southport reasonable dry after 75 miles at about 2:00pm
There were guest appearances by some club members who have been conspicuous by their absence over the past couple of months.

Club run 31st Dec
Depite a poor weather forecast six riders left the Plough bus stop on schedule; picking up a further six riders throught New Longton, Lostock Hall, Bamber Bridge then to Salmesbury Bottoms. An inpromptu change of route plan brought the group out at Houghton Towers. By this time the head wind had become gale force, making the route through Riley Green, Abbey Village to Belmont a long slow ride, and the climb over Belmont to the Piano Bar at Rivington seem easy. The return route invloved some off road riding due to Arthur leading the way to Adlington. After Charnock Richard and Mawdsley the bunch split into a group heading to Tarleton, and the rest to Rufford and back over the Moss. The distance covered was a tough 60 miles, without getting wet.

Club run 24th Dec.
The "piano bar" at Rivington was the cafe stop for the shorter than usual club run. The route through Longton, Farington, Wheelton and White Coppice took the riders around Anglesark resevoirs to a small cafe in Rivington village with great cyclist fodder and a piano player. The return journey through Adlington, Charnock Richard and Ecclestone had the riders back in Southport for 2:00.
There will be club run on 31stDec, another short one at a sociable pace.

Club run 17th Dec
Due to adverse weather conditions the only rider at the bus stop at 9:15 was Ken, who decided the weather may worsten so he went back home, only to emerge later to attend the annual meeting in the Railway pub at Hoscar Moss.
Some of the club members had an early start to ride the Winter Solstice 200km Audax event from Stockport to North Wales. Bolton Dave and Lee completed the event in just over 8 hours, arriving back in Stockport as the light faded. The next 200km event is on 28th Jan from Cheadle.

There  are some more photographs of this years jolly to Mallorca on the photographs page/Mallorca_2006 etc.

Club run 26th Nov.
The route via Longton, Lostock Hall and Bamber Bridge took the bunch of usual suspects through Brindle and Pleasington and through north Blackburn to Wilpshire. Picking up the road over York to Whalley then Mitton for a cafe stop at Waddington. This route seemed to have avoided a downpour as the roads close to Waddington were soaking. The return journey over Mellor then through Salmesbury, Houghton Towers and Leyland clocked up 80+ dry miles.

Club run 5th Nov
The Sunday ride left Southport at 9:15 heading towards Preston, with riders from outlying areas joining the peleton on the way. The route was  through Haighton Manor, Longridge, Doeford Bridge, over Marl Hill, through the villages of Newton and Dunsop Bridge to a cafe stop at "The Old School House" at Whitewell. This was a bit of a mystery tour as no one had visited this cafe before; and it may have turned out to be a similar situation to the virtual cafe in Sabden a few weeks previous.
As the peleton approached Marl Hill some riders were conspicuous by their absence, having bottled out before the climbing started. On the decents speeds of 45mph+ were recorded.
The cafe turned out to be a welcome stop; fruit cake with Lancashire cheese being the favourite; good value, but no hot food available (by order of the landlady Liz Windsor),
The return journey was a high speed ride through Chipping and the lanes to Broughton.
Another dry ride

Club run 29th Oct
The peleton was smaller than usual as several of the Sunday regulars were attending the Jolly Boys outing in the Lake District.
The route via Woodplumpton, Bilsborrow, over Telegraph hill and Harris end to Scorton, returning through Barnacre and retracing the route back to Southport.

Broo made a cameo appearance at the cafe; it was suggested he had not changed his clock from BST, so set out an hour before everyone else,
Next weeks cafe stop will possibly be at "The Old School House" at Whitewell, (near the Inn).

Club run 22nd Oct.
The Sunday riders are looking for some new cafes as watering holes for the weekly rides. On Sunday the ride left the Plough at 9:15, went through Lostock Hall, Bamber Bridge, Salmesbury, Mellor, Gt Harwood and into Sabden to a cafe that we were sure existed, but could not find. The only way out of Sabden is upward, so we climbed the Nick of Pendle to the cafe at Waddington. The return route through Chaigley and Haighton Manor, we arrived back in Southport for 2:30, before the rain started.