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.

See here for a report on the 2013 event 

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.

For details and reports on earler editions see here

Colin will be returning from his Christmas cruise to host the forum in his usual style.

Probably to Roots cafe in Catforth but exact destination will depend on the weather on the day. Leaving from the Plough bus stop at 9.30.am. Route then heads across the Moss to Tarleton instead of going up the main road.

The  Champion Systems on line shop for Club kit will be open for orders. See here for more information

Waddington Café (33.5 miles)

Blackgate Lane, Tarleton at 9.30

Preston, Haughton, Longridge, Chaigley, Waddington.
Return via Chipping and Inglewhite
Shorter alternative – Cobbled Corner, Chipping (27.5miles)
Terrain – Hilly after Longridge

Colin will be hosting in his normal suave fashion at the Club Room.

Members who are travelling to Mons in April/ May will be meeting for a group ride and preparatory meeting. Destination to be decided on the day.

Knott End Café(37 miles)

Blackgate Lane, Tarleton at 9.30

Preston Marina, Bartle, St Michaels, Stalmine, Knott End
Return via Hambleton, Cartford Bridge, Great Eccleston.
Shorter alternative – Roots Café(20 miles) or Light Ash Café(24.5 miles)
Terrain – Very flat

Puddle Ducks , Dunsop bridge (43.7 miles)

Blackgate Lane, Tarleton at 9.30

Preston, Woodplumpton, Barnacre, Scorton, Dunsop Bridge
Return via Whitewell and Chipping
Shorter alternative –The Barn, Scorton (32 miles)
Terrain – pretty hilly after Scorton

MTB drive & ride – Gisburn Forest. Leavin SCC clubhouse @ 9:00am. Return by 4pm. Aim is 4-hour trail riding on mixed terrain. Hardtail ideal but plenty of the runs at Gisburn are superb on a Full-Suspension bike. Packed lunch required. Car share & bike racks needed.

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 1^st – 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.

Colin will be hosting at 8.00.pm at the Club Room

Club run to watch the Eddie Soens 50-mile circuit race at Aintree, this year featuring our very own Dan Salcedo.

NOTE: Need to leave the Plough at 8.30.am. and Ainsdale police station at 9.00.am. to get there in time to see the racing.

March 8^th – 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.

Departing from clubhouse at 8:30. parking in Windermere for 3-4 hour road ride. Route TBC. Cafe/Pub stop for lunch. returning to Southport appx 4:30 pm.

March 15^th –  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.

B-Group Sunday Long Ride combined with the Miles for Mons Group.

Update – Plan B – Now 9.15. at the Plough bus stopand going North apparently

Meeting at the Club Room for a 9.15.am start or the Plough Bus Stop at 9.30.am. Destination will be Rivington.

March 22^nd 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.

March 29^th Wray via Littledale (48 miles)

Usual route to Scorton (riders not wishing to go further can call in at the Barn) ,

Dolphinholme, Quernmore, Littledale, Wray Café

Return via Caton, Quernmore, Scorton

Comments: This ride is an absolute gem and it has been included by popular request. Littledale is an isolated area and the ride will involve going through a gated road (if we can find it) and through some beautiful countryside. Pretty hilly after Quernmore but a flatter return route.

There is a desire by some riders to extend the mileage as the weather gets better and Ingleton and Kirkby Longsdale have been mentioned as possible destinations in the near future but this may involve a slightly earlier start.

Suggestions on further destinations/routes welcome

Cancelled

Club 10-mile Time Trial series. The first race of the season.

Note the start time of 6.45.pm. Signing on will be from 6.15.pm.

For details of the course, signing on location etc see the Time Trial page

Club ten mile time trial series. Details of course and signing on location can be found on the Time Trial page.