This ride is only open to members of the Wirral Cycling Group.  If you are an experienced rider who has ridden with other cycling groups and would like to join us on a ride, then please get in touch with us via the <Contact Form> so we can make arrangements.  If you have not ridden with a cycling group before, and would like to find out what riding with our group is like, then please book onto one of our monthly rides for newcomers.
You must not join a ride if you or anyone in your household is experiencing any of the Covid-19 symptoms
or if you have been advised to self-isolate

(C) Maghull to Up Holland to Appley Bridge to Croston to Southport

10:00 Sunday July 17 2022

Current Participants: 5 space(s) available

    Maghull to Southport,  via Rainford Junction, Up Holland, Appley Bridge, Croston, Banks

    This is a ride of 38 miles and 350 m ascent in an area popular with cyclists.  Lunch will be at the Twin Lakes Velo Café at Croston, a popular cycle café.  There is an optional continuation from Southport back to Pier Head along the coastal route, about 22 miles.

    Grade C/C+     Note: The route is 38 miles and should be a Grade C. The two hills are similar to Delamere or Peckforton.  If we continue to Liverpool, it’s a total of 60 miles (hence C+).

    Leaders:  Steve Whittaker, John Hampson and Peter Williams

    Start time: 10:00am

    Start: Maghull North (by the statue)

    The ride is similar to a previous ride (https://www.strava.com/activities/717829118) except we are starting at the new station of Maghull North (not Kirkby).  We will meet outside (by at the statue of a WW1 soldier who suffered from the PTSD and was subsequently executed).  For those on the Wirral, getting to Maghull North would probably mean using a Merseyrail Saveaway ticket and taking two trains, changing from the Wirral Line to the Northern Line at Moorfields and taking the “Ormskirk” train. Suggested train from Moorfields (Northern Line) for Sunday, 09:20am.

    Here is the new route on Komoot https://www.komoot.com/tour/840730257

    Leaving Maghull North station, we cross over the M58, take 2nd exit and turn left down a narrow lane towards Barrow Nook.  After two right turns, we arrive at a large roundabout on the A570 Rainford Bypass, go straight over the roundabout to Rainford Junction, bear right and go over the railway bridge, left at the junction, through Crawford village (with views of Billinge Hill), turn left to Pimbo, over the M58, first right and cycle up the hill to Up Holland.

    We then turn right at the junction, go past the Victoria pub and a row of shops, and bear left, continuing North, with views of Winter Hill on the right. Go through Roby Mill, and cycle down a wide downhill road (very fast!) to the canal at Appley Bridge.

    Carry straight on, joining the B5375, up a long, uphill stretch to the main road (A5209) at Wrightington. Continue in a northerly direction, starting with a right hand bend and a left turn, for 6 miles to Croston.  Go through the village, keeping right, along Station Road towards Bretherton and turn left, down a short track, to the “Twin Lakes Velo Cafe after 24 miles.

    Following the Blue Cycle Route 62, NR 91, we take a left turn to the A59 at Sollom. Crossing over and carrying on along Green Lane, a rough tarmac road, to the main Southport/Preston Road A565 at Mere Brow . Crossing over the the road for a short while before turning left, signposted Banks, turning left at the junction, and two miles later taking a short, rough track on the right and continuing onto the cycle path next to the main road, past the RSPB hides at Marshside to Southport a total of 38 miles.

    Note: The weather forecast for 17th July is for very hot weather, so we may decide after the first big hill up to Up Holland, to avoid the second big hill and go instead to Croston via Parbold (here is the alternative route on Komoot https://www.komoot.com/tour/844985869).


    Bookings no longer allowed on this date.