Tony’s Run 17th February 2022
7 riders turned up at the club for this first run of 2022 with new member Trevor on his G9. At 10:30 just as we were about to leave Peter arrived from Morecambe, late because of a flat battery! So now we were 8. The weather forecast was windy with sunny periods and showers which sounded good because the run was situated between storm Dudley and storm Eunice!
Off we went to the Farmers Arms at Bispham Green where we turned for Mawdsley and Rufford. From Rufford we turned west to get to the A565 at mere brow and then headed for Southport.
When we got to Southport the intended route was via the coast road but it was closed at the north end so Tony led us through a 20mph zone to find a way onto the road further south. The tide was in and for the first time for many of us we were treated to the view of a rough sea and strong wind on Southport coast road with pier actually standing in water! We carried on through the impressive sand dunes of Ainsdale to the Pontins Beach access road. Here we turned to the beach to stop and admire the newly painted abandoned houses on the front. Apparently these houses have been abandoned for over 30 years and became an eyesore on the front. An artist got permission to board them up and paint a huge mural of a sand lizard along the length of the block. He has made a tremendous job turning an eyesore into an attractive monument.
From the beach we turned inland and just over the rail line, next to the station we stopped at the Mecycle cafe for lunch as it started to hail and rain on us. This was a very nice cafe where they served us with toasties, soups and cakes.
After about an hour in the warmth of the cafe, looking out at the pouring rain we gathered up our kit and started out on the return trip. Peter decided it was time for him to head home up the A59 and left. The remaining 7 headed off behind Tony in varying amounts of rain through Maghull, Melling, Bickerstaff and Lathom where we finally ended up at the Gasket Cafe at Appley Bridge. It was good to get off the bikes and sit inside somewhere dry again as we had all become pretty cold and wet. So after a break and a coffee we all set off on our separate ways home after a very good ride out round south Ribble.
Thanks must go to Tony for organising the run and for not quitting because of the weather and to all the riders for turning up for our first run of 2022.