Tony’s Pottering Run May 2022
9 members met at CRFC and Tony led us off towards Eccleston. Tony had given me a brief idea of the route so I took up the tail end (this came in handy later!) We rode down Toogood Lane then Robin Hood Lane past The Rygby Arms and down Harrock Hill and past The Farmers Arms. When we took the back lane towards Ormskirk a gap had opened up behind Ernie and unfortunately he forgot to wait on the corner leaving Neill and the rest to sail on into Ormskirk. I then realised we had missed a turning to Westhead so I led the remaining group, turning left a couple of times and retracing our steps. Turning into Castle Lane I couldn’t see Tony anywhere so I guessed my way towards Scarth Hill, down Scarth hill Lane (past the garage which was once run by Sid Plevin, AKA Mr AJS, 1920’s racer on AJS). When we arrived at Tony’s house we saw that we were there first. When the others arrived Ernie was suitably admonished (bollocked!) for having no mirror then we sat down in the garden to sample Hilda’s excellent cakes and coffee.
It was noticed that Neill’s bike was lubricating the ground (and Cliff) more than his engine so Tony topped up his oil tank and we set off towards Maghull via the back lanes. Neill turned off and headed for home down the M58 as he was worried about losing too much oil.
Lawrie and Ann were very pleased to see us and we spent a while chatting outside in the drive. He was particularly pleased to see his old trials Matchless G3C, now owned by Rob of course. It was a shame Chairman Richard couldn’t make the run today on Lawrie’s old G9 too! We said our farewells to Lawrie and rode back through Bickerstaff and Lathom towards Newburgh. The Applecast café is in a garden centre with fishing lakes! Very strange, but welcoming and a very nice setting for chairs and tables outside under a pergola with plants etc all around. Very good coffee and food and reasonably priced, well found Tony! After a good old chat we decided we’d had enough coffee so we didn’t bother riding to The Gasket to finish the run.
Slightly rainy at first but it soon dried out and was very sunny most of the day. Well done Tony for sorting out a nice route avoiding the main roads. A very enjoyable day out. Neill won the prize for the biggest topbox, Cliff was green with envy!
Dave A.