Train assist - The Guelder Rose at Southport

This year we thought we would try something a little different, and it was an idea borne over a pint n the winter months - to take the train to Liverpool and cycle the other side of the water.  Bob took up the challenge,and in August the meeting point was Chester Station.

Merseyrail is a very bike friendly company, no apparent limit to bikes on trains (as long as you don't cause a nuisance, I guess), and today we were particularly lucky.  It was also Chester races, so extra carriages had been added to the usual 3-car set up, giving us even more space!

First time in a lift with a bike (for some)

There was a real air of excitement as the train was boarded, will everyone get on!

I wish blogger would let me put pictures side by side!







Anyway, we arrived, and offloaded onto the platform- letting the other passengers escape before we started to man (and woman) handle the bikes out of the station.

By the power of my selfie stick!

There are no lifts at James Street - well, there are but very small!

We used the escalators, which are much steeper than they look, and a long way up!

It is one thing to get on at the bottom, you then spend the journey woking out how to get off at the other end.  Nosheen and I were quite daunted (after I took the photo), but we both managed it - as Dave sailed back down the other side to help her!  Quite comical really!

Riding through the early streets of Liverpool, just coming to life, then along the dock roads, are all iconic.  

Docks and warehouses, a surprising change of view,
and so close to the city centre

However, after some short micro navigation of the side streets, we emerged at the seafront at Crosby, home to Antony Gormley's 'Another Place' (the sculptures of the men looking out to sea).  I have always wanted to see this, so we paused for a little while, as the ferries crossed in front of us.

We had to move on, and we followed the coast path, and the coast.  It was a lovely day, and we passed all the Antony Gormleys at their various locations up and down the beach; some being photographed by cheeky women taking an opportune pinch of an iron bottom!

Along the sand dunes on the coastal path, ending up at Formby for elevenses (although by now it was about midday).  Bob's original plan had been a cafe in Crosby, but they were small and had no space for 14 cyclists!

We also had very long delays and confusions here - although a nice late brunch was enjoyed by some, others nearly got nothing at all.

More sanddunes and cyclepaths, and as we reached the sea it started to rain - although you could stilljust about make out Blackpool Tower.

Honest. (Bob is pointing nearly at it).

OK, look carefully at this zoomed cropped image...

Look, there....
(click on the photo to view it)

We finally landed in Southport, a busy seaside town, and the start of the Trans Pennine Trail.

The Guelder Rose, Southport

We made our way to The Guelder Rose, a very busy pub/restaurant full of families, all having late Sunday lunches.  Nice food, and room for all.

Nothing wrong with
scampi & chips!

After lunch, which was quite late, I made a last minute decision to join Dave on an earlier train home; he was working and I really needed to be back.  Our train was initially delayed due to aforementioned races; but then came in and was a direct train to Chester with no stops!

Ray's photos tell the story of the rest of the ride...

Night ride to Wem

Ray writes - "Bob's full (blue) moon ride to Wem. 74 miles under a cloudy sky that never showed off the moon to any extent. Best view was at Carden on way out. With the lack of moonlight riding the quiet dark lanes required much concentration, but despite this and the body clock fighting to get its own way the ride was a rewarding adventure. On two occasions badgers dashed across right in front, the second one hissing a warning to us. The two of us got back in daylight about 5.30am. I urge anyone to give next years "moon ride" a try - if only because it is so different an experience."

The Britannia Inn at Halkyn

Select group met at the Car Park on Little Roodee.
Grosvenor Bridge in the background.

Chester Racecourse, iconic in its own right and very pretty.
Oldest racecourse in the country!

Very very windy ride out along the River Dee

Crossing the Dee at Shotton on the Blue Bridge

The first part of the ride was straightforward to Shotton, and then slight double back to climb into Hawarden at Gladstones Library, a rather fine coffee venue!

After coffee the plan was to wend through Drury and Buckley, but after a couple of stops and false turns we ended up at a large roundabout (which looked suspiciously like the one on the A55 by Hawarden).  It was.  Technology (google maps) helped me place where we were to confirm with Dave, so we had to head back up the hill (isn't it always the case) and find the right route.

The problem I had was I knew where we were at each turn, after Buckley Common (and Elvis) we were crossing main roads, the route I used to take to circumnavigate Mold - but I also was aware we were not heading towards Halkyn!







Then, after crossing the Mold Denbigh road for a second time, I lost the group.  Well, technically, the group lost me.  The first bit of the road was an arrow, and quite steep.  I stopped to take my helmet off whilst climbing in the sunshine, and carried on.  As I passed a bend in the road with a turn, I did wonder, but no-one was waiting so I carried on.   It was lovely, so I stopped to take a selfie. (as you do).

A little further on I looked over my shoulder (I heard a bicycle bell ringing) - and a figure looking remarkably like Dave was coming up behind me.

Curious!

It was Dave!  They had all turned off and no-one had waited (rotten lot!).  Dave and I carried on, he phoned Bob and planned to meet at a 't' junction later.  Eventually, and several phone calls later, we did re-group and continue.

Moel Famau over to our right

There are some wonderful downhills up on the Halkyn Mountains, and some stunning views - it is the best place to be on a Sunny Sunday!

Looking across the Dee estuary to the Wirral. And beyond.

We arrived at the Inn, and had a great table in the conservatory, still enjoying the view across the Dee.

Dave continues...After lunch Sue headed for home leaving 5 of us to continue, we headed for Rhes Y Cae onto Moel Y Crio before dropping down to Hendre, where we turn left past the quarry ,then a couple of steep climbs, thinking what a few of us have ahead with the Devon Banks in a few weeks time. We continued on past Soughton Hall noting a sign for tea room, through Alltami past Ewloe Hall, in Ewloe Caroline departed for Connah's Quay we continued to Hawarden farm shop for afternoon tea, going back via Rake lane past the Airfield to Saltney Ferry bridge along the the river to the kop where we headed off in different directions for home.

Approx 60 miles with 3000 feet of climbing

Vets 100 2015 - Bert Bailey Memorial rides

In 1967, on the 13th August, the Veterans '100' ride was introduced.  At that time the minimum age was 45 years, and the oldest rider noted to be 63.  It was enthusiastically supported by a gentleman called Bert Bailey; he was secretary for Chester and North Wales four times between 1947 and 1974 for a total of about 15 years; he was also president in 1971.  At some point the age limit was raised to 50, and this year at 81 and 78 years of age respectively, Robert Prytherch (Anglesey) and Doreen Lindsey (Criccieth) were the oldest man and woman riding.

This year we had a few Chester riders among the over 50's; Kath writes (on facebook) - 

"The Vets 100....
Great weather and extremely well fed, think I need to cycle another 100 today... Ooh those truffles were fab ☺ many thanks to all who organised a great days cycling."

Thanks to Kath and Glennys for the photos - borrowed from facebook and the Chester & North Wales Website 

The Red Lion Inn at Oswestry

Ray writes (on facebook) - "Dave's "Shropshire Circular": From a green racing pig to a 5 foot dragon it has to be said that Dave's ride had an animal theme. We were even given shelter by a Red Lion at Oswestry, where we escaped a drenching by a matter of minutes. Cheers Dave for an almost dry tour of the Shropshire countryside along quiet lanes."  

And some photos....Pictures by Ray, comments by Sue (guesswork!)

Graham and Dave, and a teapot.

Omry, and what looks like Stu taking something from a child..

Paul - nuff said...

Now this is a nice smiley picture of the gang

...and their rear ends...

Wonderful display of roses

Aforementioned wooden carving of Welsh Dragon...

Chester luncheon club on wheels strikes again...

Stu - penny for your thoughts....!

Stu said he would eat his hat - but not his gloves as well..?!

Through the arched window, looks
like someone has crossed Dave out!