Monday’s Day Riders met at Ormskirk Station and 9 of us set off for Croston via Eccleston and Mawdesley. The weather was sunny and perfect for cycling although the temperature never rose much during the morning and we looked forward to reaching Croston’s Velo Cafe where we found a sheltered spot and sat outside enjoying the sunshine and lake view.

After our respective hot drinks it was time for the return journey towards Tarleton and on to Burscough.

For the next 6 weeks Mike Miller has kindly offered to coordinate the rides in my absence. Very Best Wishes to all.

Our U3A Day Riders today survived winds and waves along Otterspool Promenade, mushy wet leaves in Sefton Park and deceptively deep puddles along the Trans-Pennine Trail. Fortunately there were no mishaps and we all arrived home in one piece.

Hopefully next Monday’s ride to Croston will enjoy better weather. Meet at 1000am at Ormskirk Station for the first leg of the ride to The Velo Cafe.

The U3A Day Riders Group were once again blessed with excellent weather for our ride to Prescot via the cycle lanes of the Rainford by-pass and East Lancs Road. Our welcome brew-stop in the town was in a cafe / bakery that has been going for over 100 years. Once fortified with tea, coffee and tea cakes we set off once again for our return journey via Knowsley and Kirby, a round trip of 34 miles.

Next Monday’s ride will be to Ainsdale, starting from Old Racecourse Road, Maghull at 1000hrs.

Today 5 Day Riders caught the train to Chester and rode back to New Brighton. Our route took us along the banks of the Dee to Shotton and then across the Dee Marshes at Neston where we enjoyed the fare at Net’s Cafe overlooking the marshes with the Welsh Hills beyond. The autumn sunshine enhancing an already amazing view. On again to pick up the Wirral Way to West Kirby and a fast pace along the coast to New Brighton where a very welcome train ride back to Central awaited us. Depending on where people lived we enjoyed a great ride of 42 miles in excellent weather. Next week we will ride to Prescot. Meet at The Derby Arms at 1000hrs.

This morning the Monday weather gods smiled on us as we set off for Rainford for our first coffee stop. Once fortified the roads started to rise and fall as we climbed our way up to Crank Hill which tested our cardio-vascular systems. After Crank we headed for The Fir Tree Cafe where bacon butties were called for. Following the cafe stop it was on to Skem and Ormskirk before heading for home.

An excellent ride in calm, dry weather conditions.

Next Monday’s ride will be to Tarleton. Meet at Ormskirk Station at 1000hrs.

Alan Carr

Today 5 Riders from Maghull & Lydiate U3A and Ormskirk and Aughton U3A set off, in what was probably the best of the coming week’s weather, to ride to Widnes. We picked up The Trans-Pennine Trail at Aintree and our first stop was at Hale Lighthouse with great views across The Mersey.

Setting off again, and after a quick photo-stop with Ye Childe of Hale, we crossed Pickering’s Pasture at Runcorn and cycled under the old Runcorn Bridge into Widnes where our cafe-stop was in Victoria Park.

Feeling suitably refreshed we journeyed on via Cronton and St. Helens to reach the Rainford Bypass where another brew was called for at Lavender Farms. Finishing the ride via Ormskirk and Latham we clocked up around 50 miles.

Next Monday we will meet at The Derby Arms at 1000hrs. to ride to Rainford.

Alan Carr U3A Day Riders

This morning 9 Riders from Maghull and Aintree U3A and Aughton and Ormskirk U3A set off from The Derby Arms and crossed The Moss to pick up the Coast Road at Woodvale.

Weather conditions were perfect, sunny and barely a breeze and a high average speed was maintained throughout the morning as we rode on to Crossens.

After our coffee stop at The Cambridge Cafe the group returned via Bescar.

Next Monday we will ride to Widnes along the Trans-Pennine Trail. Meet at Aintree Station. 09.49 train from Ormskirk.

Hope you can make it. Alan Carr

Today’s U3A Day Riders, together with friend from Ormskirk and Aughton U3A, set off from The Derby Arms to ride to Rainford where we were treated to an impromptu tea party in Peter Dow’s lovely garden. Once refreshed with tea, coffee and scones we set off once again. The ride took us up Billinge Hill and on into St. Helens. On the return journey our energy reserves were topped up at Lavender Farms Cafe. An excellent ride in excellent company.

Next Monday’s ride will be to Tarleton and Homeswood. Meet at 1000hrs, Ormskirk Railway Station.

Alan Carr.