Trip 3 – Thursday 22 July 2010

The day of the train, the lift and The North Lancashire Cycling Club! My latest adventure began with my bicycle and I boarding the train at St Annes on Sea and travelling the 10 miles to Wesham where I picked up Route 90 in Kirkham. After leaving the bustling market in Kirkham, I spent another lovely day cycling through the beautiful, peaceful countryside of Lancashire, crossing a picturesque canal wharf as well as the M55 and the M6! Many small quiet villages cycled through with imposing houses and lawns manicured to perfection and lots of tempting country pubs. I suffered the humiliation of being overtaken whilst struggling up a hill by members of The North Lancashire Cycling Club who took the hill at speed with their pert lycra-clad bottoms bobbing up in the air = at least they said hello! This part of the route was extremely well signposted and I didn’t get lost once – just as well as I had left my route book (with step by step instructions) behind and had to rely on the markings and my map! In order to avoid having to be picked up by my support vehicle, I decided to cycle into Preston (it didn’t look that far on the map!). I left Route 90 and joined Route 6 for the 9 miles into the University which was mostly off road and mainly downhill! 27.53 miles cycled today.

Trip 2 – Sunday 11 July 2010

28.06 miles headlong into the wind and passing the most northerly point of Route 90!

With my trusty bicycle loaded onto the car, we set off up the M6 to Crook O’Lune, just outside Halton which is East of Morecombe. I cycled off, headlong into the wind and uphill – a great start! Fortunately, route 90 is (usually) fairly well sign posted so I didn’t have to refer to my map too often and I was able to enjoy the views of the rolling hills, the city of Lancaster and Morecombe Bay. John met me in Silverdale (I had only cycled 11 miles!) and we had a very breezy picnic on the beach in a little cove accompanied by some fishermen. The afternoon started fast with my top speed of 29.1mph almost scaring the lycra pants off me, but soon slowed as I encountered the undulating lanes of the small villages along the way. With more stunning scenery of the Lune valley and the Bowland Fells to enjoy, I cycled along the quiet lanes enjoying the tranquillity of a Sunday afternoon. As I approached my finishing point in Hornby (just 6.5 miles from my starting point as the crow flies!) with a great sense of achievement, I could just make out the welcome sight of John, the bicycle rack and the pint of lager which was to revive me!

Women on Wheels 4 July 2010

A sunny Sunday ride with Shropshire's Women on Wheels group. We cycled 18.5 miles through the lovely Shropshire countryside, visited a country church and manor house, had a history lesson and a picnic before cycling home. A lovely way to spend the day with a friendly group of casual, relaxed cyclists.

Trip 1 – Thursday 1 July 2010

23.6 miles (including the 7.75 miles I had to cycle to get to my chosen starting point, being the closest point to St Anne’s on Sea)

After making the decision to attempt the northern loop, I woke up to rain! Being a fair weather cyclist, I spent the morning deciding whether to make a start or not but decided it was ‘now or never’ so off I set on my trusty bicycle, mid afternoon. After cycling from St Anne’s to Warton, I finally started on Route 90. A lovely ride, mostly flat and through beautiful countryside, passing some amazing properties, crossing some busy roads and reaching a top speed of 23.6mph. I met up with John at a delightful pub in Little Eccleston for a refreshing, reviving drink beside the river before loading my bicycle onto the car and driving home. A good first day but may try for a few more miles next time.