Venue to be decided closer to the time once there’s a more accurate forecast — we could get almost anything thrown at us except a heatwave – though the long range forecast seems half decent with little in the way of snow and ice.
As it’s the shortest day, Scorton or Chipping would seem to be the furthest that’s sensible. I had also thought about Light Ash Farm near Bilsborrow – but according to their website it’s only doing pre-booked Xmas Lunches.
Roots Cafe at Catforth are doing ‘ Xmas cyclists breakfasts’ – but clubs are asked to book as places are limited. If enough people want to go, I’m going to need confirmed numbers by the AGM.
Decision by the AGM — or we could always make it a magical mystery tour like the ‘A group’ and if we’re lucky the cafe stop will be decided upon before we get to Preston
Allan Stark
The traditional jaunt up and down the Coast Road from the Birkdale roundabout to Pontins and return.
Signing on in the Club Room (and socialising) from 10.15.am. with the first rider off at 11.00.am. back to the club room for reflection on the event and announcement of the winner.
The sixth edition of this now traditional Mountain Bike (or similar/ shopping bike for Will White) ride starting from the Club Room at 9.30.am.
The route is along the Coastal Road, then through the Pinewoods, across Formby, along the path adjacent to the Altcar range and through Hightown to Crosby. Returning via the Cheshire Lines path.
Café de Lune , Conder Green(39.5 miles)
Blackgate Lane, Tarleton at 9.30
Preston Marina, Bartle, St Michaels, Pilling, Cockerham, Conder Green
Return via Cockerham, Foreton, Scorton, Barnacre, Bilsborrow, Preston
Shorter alternative – Roots Café(20 miles) or Light Ash Café(24.5 miles)
Terrain – flat
March 1st – Cobbled Hey Café (30 miles)
Preston, Woodplumpton, Broughton Lights, Inglewhite, Bleasdale,
Cobbled hey Café
Please note that after Inglewhite there is an option for those wishing to go a bit further to do a loop of Beacon Fell and meet up again at the café.
Return via Billsborrow
Comments: Cobbled Hey is actually a working farm set high up on top of the fells. A bit of a climb to get to it but great views on a good day. The pace should be moderate on this ride as Spence is doing other things. Pretty flat other than the climb to the Café.
March 8th – The Green Jersey Café, Clitheroe (36 miles)
Longton, Whitestake, Lostock Hall, Higher Walton, Samlesbury , Nabs Head , Mellor,
Brownhill, York Rd, Whalley, Pendleton, Clitheroe.
Return via Waddington, Chaigley and Chipping
Comments: This is the first club run to the Green Jersey which is a bike shop/Café.
Not many flat roads after Lostock Hall.
March 15th – Puddleducks Café, Dunsop Bridge (via Marl Hill, 37.5 miles)
Preston, Fullwood, Haighton, Longridge Fell, Trough Rd, Marl Hill, Newton, Dunsop Bridge
Return via Little Bowland and Chipping.
Comments: Not the normal Trough route to Dunsop Bridge. For those who like to go downhill fast the descent of Marl Hill is a cracker. Shorter route would be direct to Dunsop Bridge and miss out Marl Hill and Newton.
March 22nd Cobbled Corner, Chipping (via Stonyhurst College, 38 miles)
Preston, Fullwood, Haighton, Longridge, Knowle Green, Hurst Green, Stonyhurst College, Birdy Brow, Chaigley, Chipping.
Return via Quiet Road Route to Inglewhite
Comments: Shorter route would be direct to Chipping missing out Longridge and Stoneyhurst College.