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Over the August Bank Holiday week of 2007 some members of the Club tackled the Challenge of riding the Transpennine Trail from Southport in the West to Hornsea in the East.

Over 5 days they rode 240 miles with an average daily distance between 45 and 50 miles.  Most had only started cycling with the Club within the last 18 months.  We were lucky to have good weather and generally a tailwind.

6 riders (Alison, Andrew F, Clare, Jim, Lesley and Tom) started the ride at Southport but Andrew and Lesley had to return after the Bank Holiday weekend leaving the other 4 to complete the journey.  Linda and Patrick joined us from Warrington to Stockport.  Back up was provided by Jim and Tom's other halves, both Barbara.

Overnight stops were at Warrington, Hadfield, Doncaster, Howden and Hornsea.

There were 3 punctures and 2 crashes during the ride but everyone arrived in good spirits at the end.

A more detailed account is below the pictures:

 

A selection of photographs from the ride is included below.  Click on the thumbnails to see the bigger picture and use the arrows to navigate through the pictures.

 

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Start - TPT Seamark at Southport

 

Whilst this wasn’t officially a club ride I felt it appropriate to record the achievement of the group which tackled this ride and which shows what riders who have been members of the club for less than 12 months can achieve. 

Bank Holiday Saturday saw 6 of us, Alison, Andy, Clare, Lesley, Jim and Tom set out from the seafront at Southport.  Five days and 240 miles later four of us touched the other Seamark at Hornsea on the East Coast , a bit saddle sore and tired and sporting a few scratches and scrazes but elated with our achievement.   Thanks must also go to the two Barbaras acting as back up and luggage carriers.  Five beautiful weather days and a mainly following wind made the ride just that bit easier. 

The first day took us 50 miles (including being lost a couple of times) through the suburbs of Liverpool on a superb tarmac ex-railway line to Speke then on along river and canal to Widnes and Warrington for a drive home at the end of day one.

 Day two we were joined by Linda and Patrick who exceeded their previous longest ride as they  rode with us as far as Stockport through Lymm and Stretford.  After a struggle to find a lunch stop we found an excellent snack bar at Northenden. The decision to continue to Hadfield for the overnight stop was a good one as we hit six major climbs one after another.  Back home for the night.

 The next day we headed on over Woodhead towards Doncaster. This proved to be the toughest section with a vicious climb over the moor before we were able to descend quickly to Dunford Bridge and Penistone.  Another steep climb out of Oxspring before the luxury of around 8 miles of descending through woodland over Silkstone Common.  Unfortunately, soon afterwards, we met a group of local youngsters who were intent on knocking us off our bikes and caused Andy to fall heavily.  First aid was administered and Andy was able to continue to Doncaster where home commitments forced Andy and Lesley to leave us for home.

 Day 4 and not a hill in sight as we made our way by lanes, canal banks and river banks to Selby and on to Howden.  We went over an amazing number of level crossings on the way and Clare was able to show off her herding skills to move some cows out of our way.  Soon after Alison became the second victim of a crash when she lost control and hit a fence.  Luckily only scrazes and bruises this time.

 Day 5 and the final day as we headed out again through flat lanes towards the Humber Bridge.  Pity the track was a bit rough making it difficult to appreciate its beauty.  Then it was on through Hessle and into Hull where the route took us through a delightful? boarded up estate and into the city centre for lunch.  The final few miles were on an old railway with varying surfaces and into the first headwind of the ride.  Finally we emerged on to the seafront at Hornsea to be greeted by our back up team and final photographs. 

 After a final dinner and presentation of certificates, we headed for home next morning.

 Lesley and Andrew hope to complete the remaining part of the ride when time permits.  The PDSA and St Anns Hospice also benefitted from several hundred pounds of sponsorship raised by Clare and Alison.

 I would also like to record the achievement of Andy S who a couple of weeks earlier completed the trip in the opposite direction.

 Well done everyone !!!!

 I myself was impressed with the route planning of the trail which kept us off the main roads and through interesting lanes, tracks, canals, railways and any other path you can think of.