I missed Tony's Bowland ride earlier in the year due to a bad neck. Despite a few rides in the area I'd never been over the Trough, usually going North instead towards the Dales. This had to change so..
Saturday -
www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=23561 - 60 miles
Left Liverpool approx 12:00 due to much faffing about. Headed through the suburbs to Knowsley where I crossed the East Lancs road (A580). A quiet lane and some farm track led to the Old Coach Road, this was a private road linking
Knowsley Hall to Bickerstaffe, it's now abandoned and provides approx 4 miles of traffic free riding on very lumpy tarmac.
From Bickerstaffe I followed mostly quiet lanes through
Lathom, Mawdesley and Croston. Then through the suburbs of Leyland to cross the Ribble into Preston. Rather than negotiate the one way system I walked through the town centre and then rode out towards Grimsargh and Longridge. The climb over Jeffrey Hill was lovely in the late afternoon light with good views to either side of the ridge. It's an easy climb from this direction but a very steep downhill.
More quiet lanes through
Whitewell to Dunsop Bridge where I stopped and bought a pint of milk for breakfast. It was getting dark now, so lights on for the final few miles to Newton. I did a quick recce of the village then went along a side road to the campsite at
Crawshaw Farm.
There appeared to be nobody around at the farm so I pitched the tent, got changed and walked back into the village for some good food and drink(!) at the
The Parkers Arms. A black pudding starter followed by venison pie with veg and cheesy mash! Yum! The dining area was full so I had a candlelit table to myself in the snug. Very romantic, a pity I was on my own!
A walk back to the campsite and in my sleeping bag by 10:30. I was the only person on the site so nobody could complain if I snored!
Sunday -
bikehike.co.uk - Course Creator - 37 miles
Quite a cool night, my watch said 5C. My sleeping mat must have a leak as it was partially deflated
. Muesli, Maltloaf and Lapsang Souchong for breakfast, then pay at the farm and away by 9:30.
Back through Dunsop Bridge then turn North West through Hareden and Sykes. It was overcast and quite cold, I was sorry I hadn't put socks on, but they don't look good with sandals..
A long, steady climb up to the Trough, lots of cyclists coming the other way, then WHEE! a nice, fast downhill, with no traffic to worry about
More quiet moorland roads until I crossed the M6 just before Scorton. I played leapfrog with the motorway for the next few miles before heading Southwest via Broadgreen, Cuddy Hill and Swilbrook before heading back into Preston to get a train back to Liverpool.
A very light pack, just what I could cram into a Carradice Super C saddlebag with the tent on top. A fleece for warmth in the evening. Only a light pertex top, but the weather was OK apart from some light drizzle on Sunday.
