Monday 7 May 2012


Sunday 6th May 1012  Trans-Pennine Trail

The Trans-Pennine Trail runs from the east coast at Hull to the west coast at Southport, for your ride we join the trail south west of Manchester and ride the western section to the end at Southport.
To join the trail we ride from home down National Cycle Route 55 to Stretford via the Bridgewater Canal.
We have ridden Route 55 many times and it’s a long gradual descent all the way through west Manchester.  The weather was cold and bright, ideal for a long distance route.  Myself and Dean left my house at 7 am.  The trail is excellent, flat and fast in most places, weaving through some housing estates and the like sometimes, navigation needs a little experience.
We stopped at the mouth of the River Mersey for lunch, the tide was rushing in.  From Liverpool the trail finally turns to the north and sets out for Southport, first using the old Liverpool loop line, an old railway line, up to Aintree and then picks up another old rail line to Formby.  The final few miles is riding through the sand dunes to arrive in Southport from the south.
Chips and a drink, then the train home to Westhoughton, with another 4 miles to get home for 5 pm.
A good long ride, many sections, approximately 80-84 miles, no GPS as my phone battery won’t last that long.













Неделя 6 май 1012 Транс-Pennine пътека

Транс-Pennine пътека започва от източния бряг на корпуса до западното крайбрежие в Саутпорт, за колата, ние се присъединят към пътеката югозападно от Манчестър и се вози на западната част до края в Саутпорт.
За да се присъедините към пътеката, яздя от дома цикъл на Националната Route55 в Стретфорд Енд чрез Canal Бриджуотър.
Ние яздени Route 55 много пъти и това е дълга постепенно спускане по целия пътпрез запад Манчестър. Времето беше студено и светъл, идеален за дълъг маршрутразстояние. В себе си и Дийн напусна къщата ми в 7 часа сутринта. Пътеката е отлично, плоска и бързо в повечето места, тъкане чрез някои жилищни комплекси и други подобни понякога, навигацията се нуждае от малко опит.
Спряхме в устието на река Мърси за обяд, приливите и отливите е бързам. ОтЛивърпул пътеката най-накрая се обръща на север и определя за Саутпорт, първос помощта на старата Ливърпул контур линия, старата жп линия, нагоре да Aintree итогава взима друг старата железопътна линия да Formby,. Последните няколко километра каране през пясъчните дюни, за да пристигнат в Саутпорт от юг.
Чипс и пият, тогава влака да Westhoughton, с още 4 мили, за да се приберат в родината си в продължение на 5 часа.
Един добър дълга езда, много секции, около 80-84 мили, като батерията нателефона ми няма GPS, няма да продължи толкова дълго.
Извинявам се за български език, използва Google Translate, може би не точноправилно.


Sunday 15 April 2012


Sunday 15th April.











Just two riders today, Rob in Lithuania.  Myself and Dean met at Bobs Smithy for the usual climb up through Walker Fold, then Two Lads and the descent to the Sportsman's Cottage, which was very dry and fast.  Then up to the Pike via Georges Lane, then down the Ice Cream Run, followed by side of the road descent to the Chapel Tea Rooms.  Then through Rivington, Yarrow, across the dam to Healey Nab.  Stopped to find a home for a noisy cockerel at a smallholding and then to the cafe at White Coppice, which opened last week for the first time this year.  Back to Horwich by the footpaths and home.


Cool but sunny day, 31 miles 2800 feet of climbing

Sunday 1 April 2012

Today, 1st April myself, Dean and Rob met at Bobs Smithy.  Weather superb, clear cool and sunny.  we rode up to Coalpits and took the new steps and the singletrack to the Reservoir.  The trail was dusty and bone dry.  The long downhill singletrack followed right down to Wilton Quarry, where as the shooting club were there we went down a very steep path instead of running along the top of the quarry.  Dropped down through Horrocks fold and then to Barrow Bridge for the long slow climb back to Scout Road. 


Along to Walker Fold, to the shoulder on the Mast Road, then down to the big lamp on Georges Lane, very dry trail and excellent traction


Arcon descent followed and then a tea break at Curleys  before splitting up and going home.


Excellent ride in good weather and excellent trail conditions.















Sunday 11 March 2012

Tockholes and Brinscall





Today was forecast to be sunny intervals and temperatures of 140C, neither of which was correct.  Anyway myself and Dean met at Bobs Smithy to ride a route we have done before, down to Barrow Bridge, Horrocks Fold, Dunscar Golf Club and up onto the Whitton Weavers Way.  The climb up from the golf club and all the way to Tockholes was directly into the wind, not too strong but enough.  At Tockholes the descent back to the A666 was as wet and dirty as it usually is.  Crossed the main road and a nice climb before dropping down to Brincall for the café stop.  Down the bridle path to White Coppice and then across to Healey Nab, very wet and chewed up trials lower down, needs a better surface that just peat.  Back to Horwich through Lever Park and home on Middlebrook Valley Trail, a good 34 miles, 2,200 feet of climbing.