25th May Bank Holiday Monday

Probably the best day so far this year for temperature and weather, at least in the morning. Just Dean, Phil and me today. Met at the Jolly Crofters for a change. From there up Georges Lane, past the quarry and to the mast road, back down over the top of Walker Fold and Phil’s favourite climb of the day. Coal Pits up to the mast. Two Lads next, where a couple of Stoats (or weasels) were running together just a few metres away from us! Amazing to see them so close and in bright sunshine. Back down to Georges lane and through Wilderswood, which looked great in the sunshine and new growth. From there a few “Phil” loops around the hillside to the west and east of Chorley Old Road, before the finish at the Jolly Crofters, downwind from the burger van!, but just about resisted!

Next week, charity ride from Manchester to Liverpool.... Team Halbro!

Tockholes

Four in the group toady, Dean, Robert, Phil and me. As a change we went to Tockholes, it was very windy and we hoped the trees would give us some shelter, however we spent most of the trip on the high moorland. There are countless track and trails through the Tockholes area, there is some singletrack, some forest roods, and bridleways. The Witton Wevers Way threads through the area. From the main Belmont to Abbey Village Road we went in a sort of clockwise direction around the route you can on the map, theres quite a bit of climbing, but Darwin Tower is worth it...The view from there is 360 degrees and on a clear day should be superb.. lots of walkers around so its very popular.

Total distance 36 miles, Tockholes section 12 miles.

Sunday 10th May 2009

Another Sunday morning ride around Rivington and Winter Hill. Started out from Halbro up via Wilderswood and from there a series of loops around Winter Hill, the quarry, through the gardens, a lot of up and down and up again. Only 11 miles for the Horwich leg, but a real stretcher just the same, Phil's knowledge of the paths and trails around Winter Hill is legendary!

The reason why the photos are all from the back is because that's where I was all the time!

Riders, Richard, Dean, Dave, Rob and Phil.

Biking in the post Manchester Landscape.Rode from home down through Prestolee Country Park, tried to find the Irwell Valley Sculpture Trail, but failed, difficult to see how I missed it! Continued through to Salford along side the River Ir

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Middlebrook Valley Trail

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