Palefish CC on tour with Costa Coffee

Today was the cubs first organised ride away from our usual haunts on the Wirral, Wales and Cheshire.
Club members Dave and Mark from the Optimum Group who have a number of Costa Coffee franchises across Merseyside invited us to their branch in Ormskirk. Ken who also lives on that side of the river has a great knowledge of the Lancashire lanes and was happy to lead us out today for our first foray onto new roads as a club.

L to R Dave B, Dave C, Paul, Dave L, Iain, Tim, Ken, my bike, Jon, Mark.

We started the ride at club supporter Formby Cycles at 9am and headed out into the Lancashire Lanes and a sapping head wind! The terrain is very different to Wirral with big open fields and no shelter from the weather! We rode over Clieves hill and on towards Halsall, Scarisbrick, Burscough, Parbold (thankfully round the hill and not over!)

Natural Break!!

We kept to the smaller lanes out towards Eccleston, Barber's Moor and towards Tarleton where we joined the main road into Southport. We took advantage of having shelter from the wind and a great surface and lined out like a pro outfit and hurtled along at a great pace.

We were soon on the Coast road heading into Southport and slowed to enjoy the scenery and the wildlife on the marshes, and to avoid the dog walkers and other cyclists enjoying the day.

When we got to the Pier we stopped for a quick photo and then headed into the Town Centre.

Southport Sea Front.

 After a quick dice with the Southport town centre traffic and pedestrians we headed up the Scarisbrick New road out of Town and then back into the lanes and off to Ormskirk.

We arrived at our brew stop 50 miles into the ride, so we were all ready for a Cake and Coffee!
The team were great and served us all quickly, which you would if the owners were there!!
Dave and Mark then surprised us by covering the tab for us, a very generous gesture.

Jon and Iain watching the bikes!

Just before the rain arrived enjoying Alfresco Coffee at Ormskirk Costa Coffee

As we were enjoying out Coffee and cake in the summer sunshine we discussed how lucky we had been with the weather during the ride, as the forecast was for rain during the morning. Right on cue the empty cups began to miraculously fill up! We all donned our rain capes, well those of us who took them, and saddled up for the last few miles back to Formby. The rain soon stopped and we retraced our wheel tracks through the lanes to Formby cycles.

It was the first time some of the lads had been into the shop, and they were very impressed. There is a huge range of bikes of all  styles and prices, literally something for everyone, and all the lads who work there are cyclists too, whether it be Road, BMX or Mountain Biking. It is well worth a visit. 

So the first Palefish Cycle Club road trip went well, it was great to ride in new surroundings, and the feedback from the lads was great. Thanks again to Ken for leading and to Dave and Mark for their hospitality. 

When we started the club we said that we would like to see more of what the North West has to offer, so watch this space, we may be coming to a coffee shop near you soon!!