The U3A Day Riders Group were once again blessed with excellent weather for our ride to Prescot via the cycle lanes of the Rainford by-pass and East Lancs Road. Our welcome brew-stop in the town was in a cafe / bakery that has been going for over 100 years. Once fortified with tea, coffee and tea cakes we set off once again for our return journey via Knowsley and Kirby, a round trip of 34 miles.

Next Monday’s ride will be to Ainsdale, starting from Old Racecourse Road, Maghull at 1000hrs.

Today 5 Day Riders caught the train to Chester and rode back to New Brighton. Our route took us along the banks of the Dee to Shotton and then across the Dee Marshes at Neston where we enjoyed the fare at Net’s Cafe overlooking the marshes with the Welsh Hills beyond. The autumn sunshine enhancing an already amazing view. On again to pick up the Wirral Way to West Kirby and a fast pace along the coast to New Brighton where a very welcome train ride back to Central awaited us. Depending on where people lived we enjoyed a great ride of 42 miles in excellent weather. Next week we will ride to Prescot. Meet at The Derby Arms at 1000hrs.

This morning the Monday weather gods smiled on us as we set off for Rainford for our first coffee stop. Once fortified the roads started to rise and fall as we climbed our way up to Crank Hill which tested our cardio-vascular systems. After Crank we headed for The Fir Tree Cafe where bacon butties were called for. Following the cafe stop it was on to Skem and Ormskirk before heading for home.

An excellent ride in calm, dry weather conditions.

Next Monday’s ride will be to Tarleton. Meet at Ormskirk Station at 1000hrs.

Alan Carr

Today 5 Riders from Maghull & Lydiate U3A and Ormskirk and Aughton U3A set off, in what was probably the best of the coming week’s weather, to ride to Widnes. We picked up The Trans-Pennine Trail at Aintree and our first stop was at Hale Lighthouse with great views across The Mersey.

Setting off again, and after a quick photo-stop with Ye Childe of Hale, we crossed Pickering’s Pasture at Runcorn and cycled under the old Runcorn Bridge into Widnes where our cafe-stop was in Victoria Park.

Feeling suitably refreshed we journeyed on via Cronton and St. Helens to reach the Rainford Bypass where another brew was called for at Lavender Farms. Finishing the ride via Ormskirk and Latham we clocked up around 50 miles.

Next Monday we will meet at The Derby Arms at 1000hrs. to ride to Rainford.

Alan Carr U3A Day Riders

This morning 9 Riders from Maghull and Aintree U3A and Aughton and Ormskirk U3A set off from The Derby Arms and crossed The Moss to pick up the Coast Road at Woodvale.

Weather conditions were perfect, sunny and barely a breeze and a high average speed was maintained throughout the morning as we rode on to Crossens.

After our coffee stop at The Cambridge Cafe the group returned via Bescar.

Next Monday we will ride to Widnes along the Trans-Pennine Trail. Meet at Aintree Station. 09.49 train from Ormskirk.

Hope you can make it. Alan Carr

Today’s U3A Day Riders, together with friend from Ormskirk and Aughton U3A, set off from The Derby Arms to ride to Rainford where we were treated to an impromptu tea party in Peter Dow’s lovely garden. Once refreshed with tea, coffee and scones we set off once again. The ride took us up Billinge Hill and on into St. Helens. On the return journey our energy reserves were topped up at Lavender Farms Cafe. An excellent ride in excellent company.

Next Monday’s ride will be to Tarleton and Homeswood. Meet at 1000hrs, Ormskirk Railway Station.

Alan Carr.

The Guild Wheel is a 21 mile circular walking and cycling route around Preston. The route links the City and countryside.

Each year Day Riders from the U3A at Maghull and Lydiate and Ormskirk and Aughton get together to ride The Guild Wheel. This year’s ride on Monday, August 12th saw 10 Riders brave threatening skies that turned into a freezing downpour as we set off from Preston Docklands.

Our cafe-stop at the University of Central Lancashire was a welcome break, giving us the chance to dry out a little and warm up.

Soon we were off again and followed the Guild Wheel through bridleways, housing estates, woodland and even through a Crematorium!

One part through woodland involved a 10% muddy decline where riders are advised to dismount. Not everyone heeded this advice but all made it safely down.

Our lunch stop at Brockholes was very welcome and fortunately whilst we were in the cafe there was another downpour that cleared by the time we set off on the last leg to Preston.

All things considered, a great day out!

Alan Carr

U3A Day Riders

Croston’s Ancient Bridge

The ride saw Riders from Maghull U3A together with friends from Ormskirk and Aughton U3A tackle a 36 mile ride along roads, bridlepaths and farm tracks around the Heskin, Croston and Rufford area.
The weather stayed dry and sunny with little wind, a good average speed was maintained. Our cafe stop at The Velo Cafe in Croston was most welcome.
Next week the group will meet at Booths in Burscough to drive to Preston and ride The Guild Wheel, a circular route around Preston.