By Neil Robinson
Mid-summer is upon us so what better way to spend the weekend than pedalling around the UK avoiding the downpours. The early Saturday morning rides are proving ever more popular under the guardianship of Geoff Caton. The routes are varied but a common theme appears to be hills and dodgy café stops, Michelin star’d they are not.
Riding through the night from west Scotland to east Scotland sounds an interesting challenge and another first for the Mckinnon couple. How would you top that, well Jim Henderson of hill climbing fame decided to do it but starting from Southport. If 225 miles sounds a little easy how about forgetting the luxury of gears and just go for a single speed, heading over Shap must have been a lung buster!
Southport CC has taken on the organisation of the now infamous Fleet Moss Audax and Sunday welcomed 120 riders to try out the rides which ranged up to 130 miles. Starting north of Preston the main ride ascended some well-known climbs and then at the half way point pitched riders and machines against the Fleet Moss road. Unfortunately it was around this point the weather finally broke and rain dampened the roads but not spirits. For most it was a long day in the saddle but the sense of achievement will be remembered rather than the discomfort.
Thanks to Allan Taylor for spearheading the organisation with the able helping hands of his long suffering wife plus Simon, Will, Bill, Pete, Pete and Marilyn.
