FIVE GO OFF TO BLACKPOOL

A "SKYRIDER" ADVENTURE
Lytham to the Tower - 18 Miles
Riders:- 
Mike (leader) Anthony, Martin, Jim C and John W.

A well organised leader had sorted out which cars were carrying which bikes the previous day  so we had hardly any delay before we set off to Lytham  Perhaps half an hour later we had  parked to the West of the windmill and to the East of the "White Church" and were soon pedalling along the coastal path towards Blackpool. The pathway was almost clear as the holiday makers had not yet decamped from coaches or emerged from hotels and B & B's  

Soon after our start we arrived at Fairhaven Lake and chose the seaward side to pass by it. Once past the legendary boating lake we joined the main road leading us towards the next town - St Annes (on sea)  

A short break for coffee as we payed homage to Les Dawson before we continued on our way from St Anne's Pier where hordes of primary school children  where trailing snake-like behind their teachers and assistants, hopefully enjoying their school trip (Educational Visit !) to the seaside. One group told us they came from an "Academy" in Oldham. 

Back on the public highway again and our "Indian Guide" showed us the house which once belonged to George Formby  and before him the great Irish singer Joseph Locke (think that's how you spell it !) Anthony has crossed the road

to check out the blue plaque. This not the first "George Formby" house that Mike has revealed to us. We shall await his next "Domicile" revelations.

We had by now arrived in the vicinty of Blackpool itself . South Shore, Squires Gate - whatever. It was a welcome improvement of the surface as we arrived at the delightfully revamped promenade. Ideal for both walkers and cyclists. Smaller constructions held our our attention but soon we arrived at one of the somewhat larger attractions. ABSOLUTELY NO ATTRACTION to the writer as it loomed monstrously above,

emitting terrified screams every few minutes. Jim Cullen admitted to having had a close encounter in the past. One has to be concerned for his sanity ! ! ! 

Although our route was now along smooth and level promenades your writer has to confess that, in spite of precautions - gel saddle cover and TWO pairs of underpants - his nether regions were feeling the strain. 

Our ultimate goal - the Tower - was now only a short distance away as we began to steer our way past more and more obstacles in the form of holidaying pedestrians. We briefly stopped to gaze in awe at  another diabolical contraption which was designed by sadists to catapult lunatics into the lower reaches of the stratosphere. One might have thought that the North West of England was playing host to reincarnations of the Spanish Inquisitors.   

The smell as we passed the food outlets along the front of the pier reminded us that it was lunch time but also had the capacity to put us off our food entirely. 

A brief stop in front of the Tower where we managed to persuade a passing stranger to take a group photo .

 In spite of the blue and "almost" cloudless sky. There was a chill breeze blowing and so we cycled just a little further to the row of classic shelters just beyond the Tower. Here we sat in relative comfort to have our lunch. 

The sunshine ,however, had to compete with an insidiously chill wind drifting in on the turning tide and it soon had us donning our jackets and mounting up for the return journey.

The promenade was by now considerably busier than we had encountered on our outward journey but inspite of the busier terrain a following wind made our progress easier. The "Biggest Glitter Ball" in the world held our attention for a while as we discussed  the flashing lights coming from some odd contraptions on poles sited nearby. John's initial conclusion proved false - again (stick to natural history lad !). Our final surmise was that they somehow worked in conjunction with the glitter ball. (any further ideas ?)

Leaving Blackpool behind, we took the return path towards St Annes and Lytham. A short stop at St Anne's pier. Toilets for some and Ice-creams for others and then heads down and back to The cars in Lytham. 

Well done Mike another surprisingly interesting ride. Here's to the next velocipede excursion.

P.S. In spite of wise words of advice (sarcastic comments) from his companions  the photographer still failed to catch the whole of the tower.