Paul & Lynn's Lancashire Ride.

I could hear you all saying, “We wondered when those two were going to get around to putting a ride on!” Well, last September we finally got around to doing just that! Since Lynn and I joined Northern Pan Riders in 2005, we’ve looked forward to organising our own ride and the decision earlier last year to request members to put on rides on the second Sunday of the month, allowed us to finally get our act together.
The ride began from our home in Blackburn, there were 8 bikes and 12 members that left our avenue and two more Pans were to join us in Southport at lunchtime. We headed for the Grane Road, also known as Elton Road, perhaps after the singer...probably not! As Lynn and I didn’t have bike-to-bike communication, I thought it was going to be really challenging as far as the drop off marker system was concerned, how wrong I was – after only a few miles it soon became clear that the whole group were at one with each other.

The first T&P stop was at the Lower House Barn at Rivington, we chose to go to there as it would be far less busy than the Upper Barn, where on Sundays’ literally hundreds of bikers meet there, and we would have probably spent the whole day being blocked in!
After we left Rivington, we headed for West Lancashire travelling there via Wheelton, Chorley, Croston and then onto Southport along the fast A585 past Tarleton and Banks. We rode down Marine Drive, and parked up next to the Carousel ride - this is a very popular place for bikers to meet up, and is very handy for some good old fashioned Lancashire fish and chips from Silcocks the Fun house (Pete’s penny drop machine) and the fabulous Southport Pier with its little railway. Lunch lasted an hour or so in Southport, and as planned the two members joined us for the afternoon leg.

Leaving Southport, we headed for Lytham St. Annes via some fast roads to Preston via Riversway, then arrived in St Annes and parked up at Garry’s favourite café - they do the biggest ice cream cornet in the world! “You’d think it would melt out there all the time Garry, wouldn’t you?” We all had a relaxing break, looking across the Ribble estuary to Southport; we should have had amphibious bikes as it would have been a lot easier! There’s lots of public interest in the building of a bridge across the estuary, even a tunnel! Here’s something for you to check out, this is one post taken from the Southport Forums.
Southport - St Annes bridge
‘I think a bridge between Southport and St Annes is a great idea, as do many people. It would cut journey times in to Blackpool by more than half I would have thought. It would be no different in distance to drive to Crosby, I checked on Google earth’

After we were all fed and watered, we headed for The A6 via Weeton (famous for it’s army barracks), St. Michaels-On-Wyre (www.cottontown.org) and Scorton. From Scorton we went over the Trough of Bowland to Dunsop Bridge - this is thought to be the centre of the United Kingdom, or is it Meriden? I’m with Dunsop Bridge of course! We were scheduled to pause there for a quick toilet stop, but due to time constraints we couldn’t, so crossed our legs and carried on to Slaidburn; we then peeled off just above Slaidburn, on the Long Preston road.

The day went so quickly, and I’m sure our friends from the White Rose counties were pleasantly surprised by Lancashires’ beauty! North Yorkshire is vast and stunning, perfect for motorcycling, however Lancashire is smaller, pretty, and quaint with lots of hidden treasures - just go out there and seek it out. Thanks to all who came along, special thanks go to David & Kath from Grimsby who stayed over in a nearby hotel...that’s what I call commitment! Thanks also to Alan and Jeanette who were our back markers. Cheers till next time!

Ed: Yes, a very enjoyable ride was had by all. Even I enjoyed riding in Lancashire. But let's not forget the old saying "If you want to have a good time in Lancashire, go to Yorkshire"