The annual Stockport Community Cycling Club trip to Liverpool for the Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey ride is always eagerly anticipated. It’s a couple of years since Sarah and I joined SCCC on this ride however (though blogged about the 2013 version here). Last year we were running in the Loch Ness marathon and missed it. So like everyone else we were looking forward to another cycle ride along the River Mersey.

As usual we met at Otterspool Park. It was an overcast though pleasant morning. I was the back leader for the day. This was also Sarah’s first longer SCCC ride since getting back on to her bike after recovering from her broken foot.

The ride begins by cycling along Otterspool Promenade.

We cycle past a number of docks – Brunswick dock being the first.

Of course we cycle past Albert Dock.

We arrived at the Mersey Ferries booking office and collected our ferry tickets.

There was time for a cup of coffee.

Soon it was time to board the ferry.

We crossed the River Mersey over to the Pier Head at Seacombe.

  

We begin on the Wirral by cycling along Seacombe Promenade towards Egremont.

We cycled past Wallasey Town Hall.

At New Brighton we turned towards Hoylake.

Time for a short stop for the obligatory group photo.

Before continuing along the seafront.

Occasionally the going was tough as the bicycles got stuck in the sand …

  

Finally we came off the seafront. It was time to eat!

Lunch was taken at the Green Lodge Hotel. There were plenty of vegetarian options but few gluten-free options. Sarah therefore chose a couscous and halloumi salad without the couscous! However the ‘2 for 1’ deal meant lunch was great value.

Fed and watered, after lunch we continued on our way through Hoylake.

We cut across the fields on the edge of West Kirby.

And then make our way up Saughall Massie Road. On entering Upton John R made a valiant attempt at impersonating Geraint Thomas’s Tour De France headbutt of a telegraph pole. Unfortunately the pole was much smaller so he just went for a tumble instead. Thankfully he was ok, but when asked ‘are you ok?’ he replied ‘No, I’ve chipped the paint on my bike’. A true cyclist!

We continued towards Arrowe Country Park. John’s bike though was more than just scratched, it’s gear cable was damaged and he had to limp round the rest of the ride in the same gear.

Then we entered the suburban areas of Upton and Bidston.

Heading back to the seafront we cycled through Central Park in Poulton.

Back on the seafront we headed back to the pier head.

We boarded the return ferry to Liverpool.

The final section of the ride took us back along the River Mersey on the Liverpool side.

And back long Otterspool promenade again.

We arrived back at Otterspool Park having cycled approximately 32 miles. It had been another great day out on the Wirral.

You can view our Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey 2015 ride route below:

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