Prestatyn
Rotary Santa Cycle Ride
With Christmas 2007 almost upon us, what better excuse could be needed to feature a few Santa Claus photos than the Prestatyn Rotary Club's Santa Ride in aid of a project for sending hand tools to Pakistan, amongst other worthy causes. Based on the Pontin's Holiday Centre, the ride was one of a variety of activities aimed at helping the participants shed a few pounds before the seasonal festivities began.
The day was the inspiration of the Rev Clive Southerton, retired vicar of Prestatyn. Clive has been pivotal to many charity events over the years, not least of all as the twice holder of the Guinness Record for After Dinner Speaking. On the day of this event he was claiming to have the biggest mince pie in the world, to be shared amongst all the participants on the day.
Wearing Santa Claus suits, over two hundred Santas gathered on a bright frosty Saturday morning. Most were choosing to run along the promenade, but a small group, including a local pastor, David, decided on the 21 mile circular cycle ride via Dyserth, Rhuallt, Pont Dafydd, St Asaph, Rhuddlan and then filtering through Rhyl via the River Clwyd nature park, before returning to Pontin's along the promenade.
An outstanding success in so many ways, the ride served to identify a circular route (cycle paths and quiet lanes) and easily rideable by anyone wishing to achieve a good level of fitness - with a variety of features providing interest at every turn.
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CTC Cymru escort, Vera Arrowsmith, with some of the riders before the start |
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Rotarian, Rev Clive Southerton - the inspiration behind the event |
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A cacophony of Clauses waiting for the claxon signal to be 'off' |
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Prestatyn - Dyserth path. The group just starting to warm up in the sharp air |
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Into brilliant morning sunshine near Dyserth |
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The new cycle path across and alongside the River Elwy, St Asaph |
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Approaching Rhuddlan to a fanfare of car horns |
