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Southport CC| Home| News and Events|NewYears Day Ride Click on any of the images to get a bigger picture. New Years Day Ride - 1st January 2013This will be the 5th Annual Ride . Details to follow. |
The Iron Men or "Another Place" sculpture by Arthur Gormley. More.  |
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Which Way to get Home? - New Years Day Ride 2012
Two more riders joined at Ainsdale and the group made a short detour to wish a Happy New Year to Dave Dwyer recovering from a serious accident on his bike in early September. Then it was back on the cycle path and the new track to enter the Nature Reserve at Ainsdale. Perhaps Terry Seanor and Margaret Biggs had an inkling of what was in store later in the morning and wisely opted for an early return to Southport whilst the remainder literally ploughed on through Formby & Hightown on very muddy sections after the seemingly relentlessly wet weather we have been experiencing lately. At Formby Point, riders were amused by a dog owner who whilst throwing a huge stick for her dog to chase managed to pitch it straight at the on coming line of cyclists. With luck & to the great relief of the lady concerned, the missile landed harmlessly. The “peleton” arrived at Hall Road , Crosby just after 11am to be greeted by Sheena Taylor, wife of club chairman Allan, who turned out to provide welcome refreshments of Christmas Cake, biscuits and cold drinks. After a short break to mend a puncture and attend to other various mechanical problems the group set off on the return leg in the midst of a torrential downpour.
At Little Crosby Church a hastily convened committee meeting debated options for the next leg of the journey. Most riders surprisingly opted to carry on with the original plan of crossing to Maghull and heading homeward via the Cheshire Lines Path. However, Colin Baldwin (Vice Chairman) led a small band of faint hearted or perhaps sensible people who chose to take the direct route back to Southport to dry out and warm up. The options of a visit to the church or even jumping the train back home received no support from members. Despite the monsoon weather all returned home safe if a little damp and it was an excellent way to start the year with a few miles in the bank before the serious training to achieve the New Year targets and resolutions can begin. See Photo Galleries for more pictures. Thanks to Pete Gawthorne, Arthur Findley and Ralph Critchley for words and pics. Posted 4/01/2012 |
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Iron Men in Another Place? New Years Day Ride 2011
As the group set off we were joined by a couple of late arrivals and more riders joined the group as we travelled along the coast road to Ainsdale. Steve Ginty (who always enjoys a chase) caught up with the group just after the Pontins roundabout and brought the number of riders upto 18. A steady pace through the Freshfield woods and across the railway lines brough the group into Freshfield. One or two enthusiats were off the front but as their navigatinal skills were not always the best they were soon back amongst the group.
Filled with cakes, although some were disapointed that the coffee wagon was not open, we now set off through Little Crosby and out to the Cheshire lines path. The pu*ctu*e fairy appeared again, with a
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New Years Day Ride 2010All traditions have to start somewhere and this one started on 1st January 2009 when half a dozen or so club members on Mountain Bikes rode from the clubhouse to Hall Road, to see the Iron Men. Well, that was probably the excuse to get over the hangover from the night before. For New Years Day 2010, eighteen intrepid riders gathered at various points between Rotten Row and Pontins, Ainsdale for this years ride.. Detouring through the National Nature Reserve in Ainsdale on what is now a dedicated branch line of the Trans Pennine Trail, the group proceeded via a variety of tracks and back roads to Cabin Hill, then Hightown and eventually reached Crosby Hall Road for elevenses at the "Chippy Wagon". The Iron Men were nowhere to be seen as the tide was in, however those present were rewarded with spectacular views of the snow covered Welsh mountains bathed in sunlight. As well as which was the sight of the Club Vice Chairman being "christened" by a huge wave braking over the promenade. Riders then made their way inland to Little Crosby and then Lunt where they picked up the "Cheshire Lines" path to return to Southport. Note for your diaries - next ride in the series 9.30am 1st January 2011 Clubhouse Posted 5 January 2010 |
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On a cool & wet New Years morning, 17 riders including three sets of fathers and sons (Arthur/John Findley, Ralph/Charlie Critchley and Colin/Mark Baldwin) set off at 9.30 am from the Southport CC Club House in Rotten Row on the now traditional Chairman’s Ride to the Iron Men at Crosby. 
Between 9.15 and 9.30.am on 1st January 2011 a group of riders met at the club house. The day was fine and they were looking forward to the ride to Another Place. Martin had already put in an hour on his way from Penwortham - presumably training for racing this year - so was expecting a long day. Tom Stewart and Jared Murphy were the youngest riders taking part - Jared had cycled from Ormskirk so he was expecting a long day as well!.
Along Larkhill Lane and through the sand dunes at the back of the squirrel reserve to follow the path along the railway to Hightown. The knowledge and experience of the group now came to the fore as a number of pu*ctu*es were dealt with in the traditional fashion - stand and watch while the repair is carried out! Then the path to the coast guard station at Crosby where we surprised to be greeted by Malcom and Peter bearing cakes. Peter made full use of his sling while distributing the cakes but 
reported that his arm is improving. 
similar response from the group. From Lunt to the bridge over the river Alt and across the fields. At this point the weather deteriorated and rain and a cold wind came into play, but the group pressed on. Jarred sensibly took the direct route back to Ormskirk while Tom had a helping hand from Colin. The group arrived at the end of the coast road just before 1.00.pm. Back home for the Southport guys with 50K completed. More pictures on the Photo Gallery page (click here).