Richard’s Fylde and Wyre Run 30th May 2023
Wednesday 31st May dawned overcast and chilly so I made sure I would be warm enough with thermals under the leathers. Arrived at Catterall to find a couple of riders finishing breakfast and I sat with them until the last rider arrived and then we were 7. Fewer than usual but with some on holiday some busy at home and a couple poorly we were all set for a nice ride out into the Bleasdale area and back into Wyre and then Fylde. By the time we set off the sky had lightened and a bits of blue were visible so it looked promising. We rode out towards Chipping but as we approached Brock Bottoms we came up behind a huge tractor towing a livestock trailer. The road through Brock Bottoms is about 8 feet wide and the tractor was about the same so it was interesting watching the maneuvres he made to allow himself to get past oncoming cars! At last he pulled over and we were able to pass and shortly after we turned right to ascend the ring road round Beacon Fell. As leader I joined the road and carried on only to see a huge telehandler pull out in front of me. It appeared to be capable of 10 mph so it was a slow journey to the next turn off. Oh No! the telehandler turned down the same lane which I knew would make it impossible to overtake unless it pulled over which it did after about 200 yards. At the next road junction I stopped and the following rider stopped behind me. Alas no more riders arrived but the telehandler trundled down and past us. Still no more riders so we turned round and went back to find them. Two riders were at the top of the lane and told us that there was a problem with a bike at the previous road junction but as we were on a one way road we would have to circumnavigate the fell to get to them. Off we went round Beacon Fell to get to the access road where we found all the other bikes and riders. A rider had stopped on the steep access road and whilst trying to maneuvre to get going the bike had toppled and unfortunately whilst laid over had lost a lot of oil on the road. As no oil was now visible on the dipstick and nobody had any oil with them a rider offered to run back to Garstang to get some. While we waited the clouds cleared and a warm sun emerged so it was a pleasant 30 minutes studying the scenery, having a drink and chatting. The oil arrived and with the engine replenished we set off again, at least we had no telehandler to deal with, but a couple of miles later a pickup pulled out from a farm with a cattle trailer on the back. It was a very old trailer and was squeaking and rattling so much I couldn’t hear my engine! I stayed well behind as it had no lights or number plate and I was worried it was going to shed a wheel or fall apart but luckily it turned off and we were free again. I turned onto the Oakenclough Road and stopped for a minute at the top of the hill so we could take in the view over Morecambe Bay. At Long Lane I turned down towards Scorton and then right to pass by Wyre Lakes. At the junction with the A6 I crossed over and headed for Cockerham and on to Glasson Dock where we pulled up at the cafe and sat at the picnic tables eating our lunch and eating Ice creams in the blazing sun.
After the lunch stop I led the riders back to Cockerham and onto Stakepool to turn south down to Great Eccleston, crossing the river Wyre via the Cartford toll bridge. From Great Eccleston I led the riders through Elswick, Thistleton, Weeton and on to Wrea Green where we stopped at “The Grapes” for a drink and short rest. After this comfort break we left Via the A 583 to Newton With Scales where we turned left past the BNFL Nuclear fuel processing plant and then took a winding route through Catforth to get to our destination at the Myerscough Garden Centre Cafe. We arrived just in time to be served before they closed and spent a few minutes chatting on the terrace before we all headed our separate ways home.
I enjoyed leading the run in what turned out to be lovely weather. I think the other riders enjoyed it too.