Ride to Formby (20/09/20)

Yesterday marked probably my last ride in a “group” with Ian Holland for a while, but it was a bit special.  The weather was almost perfect – clear, sunny and cool, with a fresh breeze from the east picking up after lunch.

We met in Penwortham and headed south, following quiet roads through Lostock Hall and Leyland to join Route 91 for a while on our way to Eccleston.  Rather than ride through Eccleston, we turned right and headed for Mawdesley, the undulations belying the fact that we were actually on the edge of the Lancashire Plain. A deviation to our left took us up a slope of about 10 or 12 % to reach an excellent viewpoint on Hunters Hill before dropping into Parbold.  There were excellent views northwards as far as the Lake District from here.

Leaving Parbold, we rejoined Route 91 for the section which loops to the south of Ormskirk through fields of cabbage, potatoes, etc., halting for a roadside break near Aughton.  A quiet B-road took us westwards from Aughton across low lying mosslands via Downholland Cross and Moss to reach our objective for the day, Formby.

Formby is a fairly quiet outlier away from Liverpool, with the interesting location of Formby Point, a stronghold of red squirrels.  On this occasion, the road to the nature reserve was thronged with visitors, local carparks being full.  Ian and I didn’t visit, but followed another Cycleway, Route 810, heading northwards.  This delightful route heads through the pine woodlands parallel to the coast on a hard stony track.  We found a bench here in the sun to consume our lunch before emerging on the road leading to Ainsdale.

This part of our route forms part of the Tans Pennine Trail.  We followed it – to the side of the busy road – northwards past Ainsdale and along Southport prom, where for once the tide was in and we had to weave through more than a few tourists.  The route designation changes to Route 62 here.

We left Southport, probably better visited out of season, via Banks and some back roads leading to Mere Brow, where we rejoined Route 91.  This section of road is still unsurfaced for part of the way to Sollom, but has a smooth(ish) surface onward via Red Bridge to Bretherton.

The last leg took us via Much Hoole, Walmer Bridge and Hall Carr Lane to Longton – picking up some free apples on route – thence via Hutton to the outskirts of Penwortham where we parted company.  The whole ride, comprising for me a “moderate” 72 miles with not much climbing (!) had been most enjoyable, aided by the excellent weather.

Mike Bridges