After 11 years of sterling service Phil Hughes has stepped down as the ‘Day Riders leader.

Alan Carr has stepped up and we wish him well. Phil takes the assistant position.

CHANGES TO NEXT MONDAY’S RIDE

Due to the rail strike on Monday 4th September 2017, those living nearest to Maghull Station can meet there at 10am.  We will then cycle to Town Green Station, where we will all meet up at 10.15am and cycle to the Lavender Farm as planned.

Phil/Ian

Chester to Seacombe

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Today’s route 35 miles

This Monday’s ride (17/07/17) started from Maghull railway station. It was a lovely hot sunny day, with 7 riders taking part, all clad in cycle shorts. From Maghull, we took the crowded trains to Central station, then the Chester train to Chester, where our ride commenced. Today’s ride was planned and led by ‘DAG’.

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CYCLE RIDE TO BANKS

Last Monday (19-06-17), eight Day Riders met at Aughton Station, on an incredibly sunny day.   The ride was planned and led by Alan Carr.  We cycled via Clieves Hills to Barton, thence across country to the start of the Coastal Road. Picking up the cycle track alongside the Coastal Road the riders headed for Southport and on to Crossens.  The Botanic Gardens Cafe provided a welcome, and for Phil (Hot Pants) Hughes a memorable, cuppa.  Whilst Phil was buying the teas, the whole tray tipped up and he was drenched from the waist down with scalding hot tea. The waitress apologised and gave him an ice cold drink pack in order to soothe the burning to his mid section, whilst we drank our tea. Steam could be seen coming from him and there was strange looks in his direction from old ladies sitting close by.  After our break we cycled through lovely Churchtown, whilst poor Phil cycled frantically to Southport train station, in order to catch the first train home. We wish him well and hope he recovers in time for next Monday’s bike ride.

The remaining riders returned to Ormskirk along quiet lanes to Scarisbrick and then after taking in the wonderful scarecrow collection in Halsall it was back over Clieves Hills to Aughton having covered 30 miles.

Ian Gent & Alan Carr

NEW SEFTON CIRCULAR CYCLE ROUTE

This Monday (12/06/17), we set off from Old Racecourse Road, Maghull with 9 riders. Using the Old Cheshire Lines and Liverpool Canal paths and then through Rimrose Valley.  We then made our way to Crosby sea front and on to Formby. From there we took the path alongside the railway line, crossing onto Fishermans Path.  From there we joined part of the newly opened Sefton Circular cycle route, through the pine woods ending up at the Mecycle Café in Ainsdale, where we stopped for tea.

The new Sefton Circular cycle route covers 24 miles, 20 miles of which is traffic free and was officially launched on Sunday, May 21.  The launch of the route coincides with ‘2017 the year of Sefton’s Coast’ a celebration campaign to recognise, promote and enjoy the superb Sefton Coastline; the Sefton Circular route takes in many miles of the coastal path, before heading inland along the Cheshire Lines towards Maghull and eventually the Leeds Liverpool canal, bringing you back to Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre via Rimrose Valley.

One of our riders was able to use the repair facilities at the Mecycle Café/Shop, whilst we took a break, in order to have his cycle repaired, due to minor damage sustained to the gears whilst riding through the woods.

From Ainsdale, some of the group made their own way back home using different routes.

Ian

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PARBOLD RIDE

On Monday 8th May 2017, we started our ride from Ormskirk railway station for a change. Our leader Phil was on holiday, so Ian led the ride. The weather was sunny but cold. There were 6 riders. After leaving the station we cycled through Lathom and Newburgh, stopping at the café in Parbold by the canal for a tea break and to take some photo’s. We then headed back to Newburgh and took a different route back up a steep hill via Ashtons to Westhead and Rough Wood, where we parted company in order to cycle home on separate routes.

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Today (Monday 30/01/17) we rode to Pickerings Pastures and Runcorn. There was only a small group of riders today. Having got the train from Maghull to Aintree, we cycled the length of the Cheshire Lines cycle route to Hunts Cross. Then on to Halewood, Speke and through the lovely village of Hale.  Then heading off towards Widnes along the waterfront at Pickerings Pastures, with nice views of the River Mersey. The tide was in, which made it even better. so we took some group photo’s with the Runcorn/Widnes bridge in the background. Having gone under the bridge we went to find our usual place for a tea break at The Rugby Club. When we arrived, we were horrified to find it closed, as was the Museum café, however we did find a brand new café in Pit Street (Superior Catering) with lovely fresh coffee, freshly made sandwiches and pastries, with free samples on the counter (there were none left on our departure). We returned to Hunts Cross via the same route and took the train back to Maghull. The total distance being approximately 30 miles.

Ian

CHRISTMAS BIKE RIDE

Our Christmas cycle ride took place on Monday, 5th December 2016. The ride commenced from Ormskirk Rail Station. Eleven cyclists took part in the ride.  The weather was crisp, clear and sunny.  We then cycled to the Lathom, Martin Mere, and Burscough areas, using lovely country lanes,  with a tea/coffee break en-route, returning to Ormskirk and the Toby Carvery, where we enjoyed a well earned pint and a rather large carvery.

TAKING TRAIN TO ORMSKIRK TO START RIDE

COFFEE BREAK EN-ROUTE

WAITING FOR OUR MEAL AT TOBY CARVERY ORMSKIRK

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

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On Monday, 19th September 2016, our cycle groups celebrated our 10 year Anniversary, by cycling from Lydiate to Liverpool along the canal towpath. We decided to combine the event with the Leeds Liverpool Canal Bicentenary Celebrations, which also take place this year.

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