The past few days have been horrendous weather wise. I don't mind going out in the cold, rain or wind, but within reason, and the last few days have not been reasonable, they have been so bad, cycling would have been thoroughly unpleasant. This morning though, it was a lovely bright, sunny day, although the North West wind was quite strong and made it feel somewhat chilly. After getting my hair cut I was off out on the bike, through Shirdley Hill and Scarisbrick, over to Burscough and through the countryside to Martin Mere, then onto Mere Brow near Tarleton, through Banks, a longish village just to the north of Southport and then through Crossens and Churchtown which are both districts of Southport, north of the town centre. From Churchtown I headed across the mossland back towards Scarisbrick and back home across Birkdale Cop. A distance of just under 29 miles. A thoroughly enjoyable ride in the fresh sunshine, which even had a springy feel about it at times, although apparently the weather is going to go wintry again for the weekend.
A couple of mechanical hitches hit me, but they were of my own making. I gave my bike a good clean at the weekend, taking the wheels off and doing all the hard to reach bits. This morning, I had only gone a few yards when I noticed my cycle computer wasn't working so I checked to see if the distance between the magnet and sensor was okay - anyway, Halfwit Henry (aka Roadhump) had only gone and put the wheel back on the wrong way round so the magnet was on the wrong side - doh!! Then my back brakes started rubbing and I found this was due to not having tightened the QR lever enough, eventuallu I sorted them out before any damage was done.
I planned this ride to best cope with the wind and generally it worked as apart from a couple of stretches where the wind was in my face, it wasn't really much of a hindrance. It just so happens that along this route there are several pubs, which are the main subjects of the photos I took:
The Heaton's Bridge in Scarisbrick, a nice old fashined canal side pub, excellent for a summer pint in the beer garden.
The Martin Inn, Burscough. At one time, this used to attract punters from far and wide, and it was rammed every night, but not as busy these days - where is?
The next pub on this route is The Farmer's Arms on the bank of the Leeds Liverpool canal in Burscough, about a mile from Burscough Village. This is a belting pub, very reasonably priced beer (they do Tetley's cask, which is hard to find these days), and has picnic tables alongside the canal with fantastic views across miles of farmland. Only problem is that on warm summer days and evenings, it is often difficult to find any space, it is so popular.
A short distance along the towpath takes you to the next pub, The Lathom Slipway, or just the Slipway now. Another very pleasant canal side pub, which I believe was once run by Freddie "Parrot Face" Davies, whatever happened to him I wonder?
Leaving the canal in Burscough Village I passed the Hop Vine, situated on the busy A59 Liverpool to Preston main road. This pub h as a reputation for first class food, I have eaten there once a few years ago and it was very good. People tell me it is still a great place to eat.
After the Hop Vine it was a few miles of pleasant countryside past Martin Mere and Windmill Farm. Windmill Farm is one of those farms that has been converted into a kiddies' playground. it is a nice place to take the kids for an hour or so, they really enjoy it. They have an adventure playground where we used to take our kids when they were small, so I could play on the zip wire.
At Mere Brow, the local pub is called the Legh Arms, which apparently is another good place to eat.
Onto Banks where the local pub is the New Fleetwood. I have never been in there nor do I know anyone who has so not a clue what it is like.
Onto Churchtown, a quaint olde wolrde village and there are 2 pubs, the Hesketh (first shot below) and the Bold. Both, I believe are very popular thriving places.
From Churchtown I took a route that doesn't pass any more pubs and I had run out of the 10 permitted photos anyway. Not that I am obsessed with pubs, just that I thought it would be an interesting theme for a cycle ride photo shoot. Anyway, must go and cook Mrs Roadhump's tea now, before going to the pub (Wetherspoons) to meet a couple of mates.
