A group of juniors at the club room on Monday 29 July in the Club Jerseys sponsored by the Ben Gautrey Foundation.
On Sunday 17th August the 3rd annual Ben Gautrey Foundation charity was held starting from Meols Hall, Churchtown. In total 160 riders took part in the event with about 30 members from the club, with a good number of junior riders with parents and senior riders. The route meandered across the moss towards the Martin Inn, Burscough, Parbold, Stoney Lane, Mawdsley, Croston, and returned via Rufford, Holmes, and Banks.
A strong tailwind was evident on the outward journey which made the start easier for the youth riders,however,on the ascent of Stoney Lane a couple of the young lads succumbed to walking, James Holloway(12) being one of them, but quickly remounted when I told him there was a photographer just around the bend! At the summit, helpers were in attendance with a supply of water to replenish bisons. There followed a swift descent past the High Moor Inn towards the Dive Centre for a coffee stop, the youngsters always seem to order bacon/sausage butties and the like, not ideal race food.
The return ride was now into a block headwind and our group was overtaking many struggling riders including relatives of the hon.sec. who dropped back to stay with them. Chris(which way are we going?) Stone, was doing his usual strong man efforts on the front causing chaos in the peloton, almost came adrift when turning round, collided with a kerb, but managed to stay upright, only to be castigated by Maddy Scott calling him a ‘chopper’!!!
On arrival back at Meols Hall about noon, everyone commented on what a well run event it was. Next year we will return with more members. The club youth members were well represented on the ride resplendent in the jerseys kindly donated by the Foundation, which has generously supported other sporting groups within the town such as tennis,swimming, cricket and football.
Report by Colin Baldwin aka El Presidente
