Preparing the picnic at 6am and I’m worried that the rain clouds will spoil our day. I’d ordered the sun and asked for no rain, but didn’t think to ask for a calm day. Next time I’ll know better!
Marshalls in place by 10 and the ride started from Eastham Country Park, a nature reserve on the shores of the River Mersey. The ride started in glorious sunshine and everyone safely negotiated the busy A41 through to the docks at Woodside and Seacombe Ferries. The ‘Ferry Across the Mersey’ brought our youngest rider, Saira and her mum Amanda, from Liverpool to join the other riders at Seacombe. Saira was determined to complete the 25 mile ride with the adults and who were we to say ‘no’. Leaving Seacombe Ferry behind, the group of 11 started the coastal section of the ride, still in glorious sunshine but now they had to deal with force 9 gales blowing in from the Irish Sea. Bravely they struggled along the Wirral coastline to Hoylake, making full use of the drinking stations we’d set up along the way. Sadly after 7 miles, Saira had had enough and was in tears because she thought she had to finish the whole 25 miles in order to get her certificate and goody bag. The Afasic balloon tied to her bike had burst, which for her was the last straw. Saira and Amanda left us at Moreton and got the train home to Liverpool, but not before Saira got her goody bag after all.
After Hoylake the riders entered the more sheltered Wirral Way, a disused railway track that now serves as a lovely walkway and cycle path around the western side of the Wirral peninsula. By that time, with no more wind to deal with, they’d started to forgive me for persuading them to do the bike ride in the first place. On they went through Caldy, home of John Barnes and other famous footballing legends, to Lower Heswall where it is rumoured Rafa Benitez still has his £5m mansion, and finally coming off the Wirral Way at Parkgate.
The picnic at the end, still in glorious sunshine, was the chance for everyone to unwind and enjoy a cool beer and for the ladies, a nice glass of champagne. Jane’s knees were very painful at the end of the ride. In the absence of Paracetamol or Brufen, she found that the champagne did the trick and magically the pain in her knees disappeared after the second glass!
All in all, despite the gale force winds, everyone had an enjoyable day and even talked about doing it all again next year!!
