Seven riders turned up at the Bowling Green on a bright but chilly morning for Tony’s run.
Tony led us through familiar countryside, albeit the long and winding way, through Wrightington, Appley Bridge, Lathom, Bispham Green and then to a quaint art and craft centre at Cedar Farm Mawdsley.
Just as we arrived here John announced that his clutch cable had snapped. Yes, right at the lever end so another cable was needed. I think it was Dave who came up with one and within a few minutes it was fitted but was a bit too long. Everyone retired to the café for coffee or ice cream, Richard went to talk to the chickens, and then we all sat down to take in the sun and discuss the matter of reducing the length of the cable. Brain power triumphed and after coffee a slight modification was made and the cable was declared fit for purpose.
Off then on part two of our tour of South Ribble, West Lancs and probably Sefton! I am not sure where we went but it was all very nice with great views over farmland, wooded hills, pretty villages and scenic canal crossings. Finally we ended up in Rufford where we stopped at Fettlers Wharfe Marina where there is a very nice café and sitting out area and here we ate our lunches and had more tea and coffee. The option to visit Southport and disperse was rejected in favour of a return to The Bowling Green for a final drink and chat before concluding the run and so off we went back through many of the places we had visited but from entirely different directions. (How big is Lathom? It seems to crop up everywhere!) So arriving at the Bowling Green we sat outside in the now patchy sunlight an enjoyed a drink and chat before going our separate ways at about 3pm.
Overall a lovely day out on the bikes in lovely weather. Thanks go to Tony for organising and leading it.