1st June 2023: New Brighton (mod)

Ten Easy Riders turned up at Ness Botanic Gardens café, but not all would join today’s ride. Neil had already ridden 25 miles to get here and was meeting his mother-in-law for lunch at the Bluebell Café; Dave M was going home to mow his lawn with his new battery powered Makita and Duracell Jim was doing his own thing, revelling in climbing hills using battery power.

That left the Magnificent Seven (Dave H, Andy, Alan, Ever Ready Ray, George, Matt the Trike and Steve T) to set off on an anti-clockwise tour of the Wirral. We got onto the Wirral Way via the half mile railway cutting at the edge of Neston. Whilst the sun was warm, in the shade of the cutting it was quite chilly, so we were pleased when we emerged into the sunshine and stopped for a comfort break and a photo at Hadlow Road station.

Photo by AO

We left the Wirral Way just after Willaston and followed the lanes through Childer Thornton and Eastham Woods Country Park. 

Photo by ST

A little diversion suggested by Alan took us through the soap works at Port Sunlight before we wiggled left and right through housing estates and along the river side, eventually arriving at Birkenhead Priory, close by Woodside Ferry.  Weaving around the ferry station, we keep close to the water with wonderful views across the Mersey to Liverpool, where a group photo opportunity was taken, courtesy of a passer-by.

Photo by CER

We emerged by the swing bridge and onto the prom at Seacombe Ferry. It was then a pleasant run to New Brighton and our planned lunch venue, the Seaside Café. Although the café was very busy, we found a table outside without a problem and lunches were soon ordered. It’s worth noting that the café only takes cash, something that limited George’s repast and also forced Matt to head off to Mackie D’s.

The route back is familiar to all and we’re soon threading our way between walkers, dogs and children along the maritime cycle path to Meols and Hoylake, where we take the cycleway alongside the railway and then re-join the Wirral Way. Somewhere around here, Matt left us as he had to take a phone call. By now the sun is quite intense and the track is very dusty with plenty of pedestrians, dogs and children to contend with. Arriving at Neston, we had planned to ride through the town, but were advised against this by a local who told us that there was a parade taking place in the town to celebrate Neston Ladies Day. This is the highlight of the year for the Neston Female Society, which was founded in 1814 and is the only surviving female society of this type in the country. Each June, they march under their banner bearing the motto ‘Bear Ye One Another’s Burdens’.

About 39 miles covered on a warm summer’s day in excellent company. Special thanks to Alan for leading the ride after I had a ‘tech prob’ with my bike computer.

See route map and/or gpx file download

ST