Wheelers :- Anthony, James, Jim C, Danny, Mike, John R
Martin, John W (" Is 'e back " "Only briefly")
With the weather forecast hardly encouraging we met at Mike's (this week's leader) before setting off to Southport with John R and Jim C joining us as we passed through Penwortham. Our hearts sank as rain lashed down on our windscreens but by the time we had parked up in our usual (walks) spot the sky had cleared.
Bikes always take a little time to prepare before we set off.
Danny … determined not to get wet before we even set off.
……… but who is this "man of mystery" ?
……. with the unusual feet !
At this point John W burst into tears and howled inconsolably ( Lies! Lies ! ) The silly old fool had forgotten the key to his electric bike. He was going to have to pedal properly all the way.
All sorted we set off along the promenade. A howling gale blasted in our faces (Well....it was definitely a stiff breeze.) and not too far away sombre clouds were gathering to threaten us. Nonetheless all was going well.
A rest stop and we gather round to hear words of wisdom from our leader. "What next boss ?" " Er...keep going. " James looks singularly unimpressed.
No sooner said than done. Off we go again led by the "Man of Mystery". Have you guessed yet ?
After passing the Pier we arrived at the point at which the Trans Pennine Route started it's long cross country journey. Here we rested again and took our coffee break. A group of birdwatchers with enormous telescopes told us they were trying to sight a visiting "Kentish Plover". It had been there scarcely minutes before they arrived. Now it had gone. "C'est la Vie !"
Kentish Plover or Danny the Rover ?
Coffee break finished we set of in the direction of Ainsdale. A couple of miles further and the constant strong wind in our faces was beginning to take it's toll on our non-cyclist legs. We stopped to have a rethink and wait for everyone to gather together. THEN .... The threatening clouds no longer threatened but acted. Large drops of rain began to patter upon us. WE TURNED BACK !
With the strong wind now at our backs it was blissful to whizz along the cycle track taking us back to Southport. Not too fast though as there was a SPEED LIMIT.
SLOW DOWN DANNY !
THAT'S MUCH BETTER JAMES.
Somewhere warm for a hot drink or somewhere sheltered for our lunch break were now our priorities.
"Down there I think " says Mike "But that's the Irish Sea" we respond. "Could be a bit damp." (or perhaps he had spotted the elusive Kentish Plover )
Having arrived at the pier we decided to turn inland in search of refreshments. Although McDonalds and KFC were on offer nothing really appealed and our continuing search found us splitting up in quest of lunch sites. One group crossing the bridge over the Marine Lake. The other staying on the seaward side. Here are the latter group at lunch near the miniature railway.
Being in a "Railway" cutting it was relatively warm and sheltered here. A text from the other group told us they had found an excellent spot with seating and shelter. Warm as toast too they said. Too late. We were already munching. (and rather sceptical.)
On the other side of the rails were some voluminous bushes which some of the group were eyeing up..... I would not wish to speculate as to why !
Lunch over and the onset of some rather persistent rain soon had us crossing over the afore mentioned bridge to link up with the others. (They had indeed found an excellent lunch spot. Better than ours perhaps ???)
On meeting up again, after a rather tricky descent to the lake, we discovered that Danny appeared to have grown some strange appendages. Ears ? Aerials ? Hearing aids ? Who knows ?
With the rain now set for the afternoon it simply remained for us to pedal our way back past the end of the Marine Lake and eventually to the cars.
Set backs and challenges are all part of our days out so , perversely, I'm sure we all enjoyed the companionship of our wet and windy wheelie day.
THE END
p.s. The writer apologises for the rather disjointed nature of this report and the sparsity of photos. Photography, whilst cycling, proved difficult for this amateur.
p.p.s. "Man of Mystery" ? ...……… "John R." ... but you clever readers will have guessed that already ...………. Won't you ?
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