Forthcoming Events of the Lancashire Group
Our rides are open to cyclists of all abilities, all ages and on all types of cycle
(perhaps with the exception of lightweight racers, we do go off road). They are easy
paced, non-competitive social rides usually calling at a cafe or two, but some participants
bring a packed lunch. If you are a non-member you are welcome to join us for two
or three rides, check us out, and then hopefully become a member (It is only £12.00
per year!). Just turn up on the day or for further information ring Brian on 01254-772983
The following members are designated leader for the Lancashire Group and authorised
by the National Committee: Brian Parkinson, Brian Marsh, Charles (Charlie) Hall,
Steve Gregson, Don Dalton, Nick Lay, Peter Kenner, Rob Burrow, Ken Glaze, Anne Thompson,
Dougie Heaven, Keith Watson and Miriam Trickett. For full list of members who are
authorised to lead rides click here.
'The Cafe Crawlers'
For the last two years or so on every Saturday we have been having a regular family
orientated cycle ride. These rides are suitable for all family members, the distance
covered is generally quite short and usually not too hilly! Riders range in age from
three years, to, well I'd rather not say. These rides are also appropriate for family
members who do not usually participate in RSF events, but would like to get the bike
out now and again for a short spin in the company of like minded people.
We usually start from a cafe, then ride a few miles to another cafe etc, hence the
title of our group 'The Cafe Crawlers'. Informal membership cards have now been issued
to this effect!
The rides are suitable for all bikes, inc. cycles with child seats--tag alongs (trailer
bikes)--child trailers--tandems etc.
The routes tend to be mostly off-road, with various start points, usually covering
between five to fifteen miles at a quite leisurely pace (or even slower!), with plenty
of rest stops. The rides are usually of between two to five hours duration.
If you would like to participate on a ride or two ring me on 01254 772983 for the
start location of this or any other week's ride, and the intended route etc.
Brian Parkinson.
For information about the Cafe Crawlers check out the website at this link.
The Lancashire Group Tuesday rides to the Dover Cycling Fellowship
Almost every Tuesday we have a ride to the DCF at the Parish Hall, Lydiate. There
we meet with cyclists from other clubs/groups for a chat and a short informative
meeting about cycling matters in the area, there are usually about sixty riders present.
We start from Ken Glaze's house, 8, Springmount Drive, Hilldale, near Parbold, WN8
7AP, map ref SD493123. Meet us at 9-30am for a cuppa, we start the ride at 10-00am.
The route is across the West Lancashire Plain, so is not hilly, and is on quiet roads,
the return trip being about thirty miles. Bring a packed lunch, or purchase it at
Town Green on the way. Tea and coffee is available in the Parish Hall and is included
in the entry fee of fifty pence. For further information ring Brian on 01254 772983.
Wednesday Rides ‘The West Pennie Moor Meander’
A ride will be held on either the first or last Wednesday of the month during spring,
summer and perhaps autumn too, depending on their popularity, see the Diary of Events
for the exact date. They will generally follow the route below, but with slight variations
due to the weather and ground conditions on the day. The route comprises of three
connected loops, so that riders can decide how far they want to ride, and where they
join the ride.
The ride will start from 7, Bull Hill Cottages, Darwen, BB3 2TU, at 9-30am, arrive
at 9-00am if you require toast and a hot drink! Car parking is available. We then
ride through Whitehall Park, Printshop, Bold Venture, Sunnyhurst and Stepback to
Tockholes, the next alternative starting point.
The next leg continues from the Tockholes Information Centre Café car park at 10-30am,
through the Roddlesworth Plantation, Woodfold and Withnell to the Cottage Tea Room
at Brinscall for elevenses, at 11-00am, the last alternative starting point. Car
parking is available beside the village duck pond, behind the swimming pool.
Leaving Brinscall for our lunch destination at Rivington Village Green Tea Room,
we ride along the Goyt through White Coppice to Anglezarke, thence over Healey Nab
to Rivington, for lunch at 12-30pm.
After lunch we ride through Lead Mines Clough to Jepson's Gate, to re-join the Goyt
track back to Brinscall, arriving there at about 2-15pm, for afternoon tea (if required!).
Leaving Brinscall we follow the route of the now disused Wigan/Blackburn Railway
to Abbey Village, back to the Lower Roddlesworth Plantation and the bridleway to
Tockholes, arriving there at about 3-30pm. Unfortunately, the café here closes at
3-00pm, although it should be open later in the summer!
From Tockholes we ride over Darwen Moor to Bury Fold or Cadshaw, perhaps visiting
Darwen's Jubilee Tower on the way! Returning to Bull Hill at around 4-30pm.
The whole route is approximately 28 miles (hard). From Tockholes is 19 miles (moderate),
and from Brinscall 10 miles (easy). Over 90% is off-road.
There will also be the option on some of these rides to start at 10-00am from Ken
Glaze's house at Hilldale, near Parbold, to join us at Rivington for lunch and then
ride to Brinscall with us, before returning to Ken's. This option will be mainly
on road, and be about 28 miles (moderate). Please ring Brian should you require more
detail, tel 01254 772983, before 8-00pm.
The next rides are on 26th May, 30th June, 4th August and 1st September.
2010
July
Thursday 8th: Meet at 10-00am on the car park behind Clitheroe Railway Station, map
ref SD742421. Riding to Bolton-by-Bowland for lunch, via Grindleton Fell. Returning
along the Ribble Valley to Sawley, Grindleton and Waddington for afternoon tea, then
continuing along the valley back to Clitheroe. A moderate ride of roughly 23 miles,
about 40% being off-road.
Sunday 25th: Meet at 10-00am on the car park at the Tockholes Cafe and Information
Centre, map ref SD665215. This ride will use the new bridleway between Brinscall
and Anglezarke, then over Healey Nab to our lunch stop at the Rivington Village Green
Tea Room. The return journey will take us through Lead Mines Clough and Jepson's
Gate to White Coppice, where we will have afternoon tea at the cricket club, before
heading back to Tockholes. This moderate figure of eight circuit of the area is about
26 miles, and is 95% off-road.
August
Thursday 12th: Meet at 10-00am on the car park by the bridge at Bolton-by-Bowland,
map ref SD784493. Riding to Settle for lunch via Forest Becks and Long Preston. The
afternoon run will take us to the new cafe at Tosside for afternoon tea, before the
descent back to Bolton-by-Bowland. A moderate ride of circa 30 miles, about 35% of
this being off-road.
Sunday 29th: Meet at 10-00am on the car park of Rivington Hall Barn (the top one),
map ref SD633144. Riding out through the terraced gardens and around Winter Hill
to Barrow Bridge, we will then cross the golf course onto the Smithills Estate, and
descend to Wallsuches. Here we will have lunch at Curlie's Fisheries. The return
route will be decided on the day, there are a number of alternatives, perhaps we
will ride up to the Pike! This will be a moderate to hard ride depending on the return
route. It will be about 23 miles, and roughly 85% off-road.
September
Thursday 9th: Meet at 10-00am on the public car park at Slaidburn, map ref SD714524.
Riding to the Gisburn Forest, we will navigate the area on the green tourist route,
before making for the Whelpstone Cafe at Tosside for a late lunch. This is a moderate/easy
ride of about 23 miles, 50% off-road, and returning to Slaidburn for about 3-45pm.
Wednesday 22nd : Meet at 10-00am at Rivington Hall Barn (the top one), map ref SD
633144. This is a joint ride with our South Pennine/Northern Peak Group, and is in
support of the South Pennine Walk and Ride Festival. The ride is to Darwen Jubilee
Tower, via the new Goyt bridleway, with a stop at Tockholes for lunch. A moderate
ride of circa 25 miles, 95% off-road, and back at the barn for 4-00pm.
Sunday 26th: Meet at 10-00am on the car park of the Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre,
map ref SD 940153. This is a joint ride with our South Pennine/Northern Peak Group,
and is in support of the South Pennine Walk and Ride Festival. We will be riding
to Hebden Bridge for lunch via Chelburn Moor, using a mixture of tracks, bridleways
and packhorse trails. This moderate ride is roughly 25 miles, 90% off-road, and will
return to Hollingworth Lake at about 4-00pm.
October
Thursday 14th: Meet at 10-00am at the Village Hall, Lydiate, map ref SD366047. We
will then ride along the Cheshire Lines, the coast road cycle path through Ainsdale,
and along sea front at Southport for lunch at the Botanic Gardens, Churchtown. We
will return over Scarisbrick Moss and meander through the small lanes and the canal
towpath to Halsall, then over Clieves Hill (our only hill, but on a good day superb
views over West Lancashire and Liverpool Bay are to be had!). An easy ride of approx.
30 miles, 60% off-road, and returning to the Village Hall at around 3-45pm. This
ride is organised, and to be led by Ann Thompson.
Sunday 31st: Meet at 10-00am on the car park beside the athletics track at Witton
Park, Blackburn, map ref SD662271.
We will ride the very western edge of the West Pennine Moors, beside the Sunnyhurst
Reservoirs to Tockholes for lunch. Leaving Tockholes via the Roddlesworth Plantation,
and Withnell Fold to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, we will make our way back to
Witton Park. A reasonably moderate ride of about 23 miles, 70% off-road, and back
at the park for about 4-00pm.
November
Thursday 11th: Meet at 10-00am on the Riverside car park, Towneley Park, Burnley,
map ref SD856313. £1-00 charge for car parking. Please note, this is not the car
park near the hall/fountain. Barrowford Visitor Centre for lunch by way of the Leeds
and Liverpool canal towpath and Barrowford Park. Then through Lowerford, Marsden,
and Haggate to our afternoon tea stop at the Queen Street Mill Steam Museum, Harle
Syke. Then it's off-road again to the Brun Valley Greenway and Deer Park Road to
return to the car park for around 3-30pm. Another fairly easy ride of about 26 miles,
70% being off-road
Sunday 28th: Meet at10-00am on the car park by the athletics track at Witton Park,
Blackburn, map ref SD662271. Riding out to Winfield's of Haslingden for lunch using
the Leeds and Liverpool canal towpath and the Hyndburn Greenway (Sustrans route 6)
before riding through Serfin to drop down to Winfield's. An easy ride of 28 miles,
90% off-road, and back to Witton Park by roughly 3-45pm.
December
Wednesday December 8th.Lancashire Group Christmas Lunch: This will be at the Rivington
Village Green Tea Room, so you know that it will be a good spread and it will be
an all-in price (around £13-00), i.e. Mulled wine on arrival, choice of starters,
choice of main course, choice of sweet, and just for our group tea or coffee thrown
in, well in a cup anyway!
A morning ride will begin from Rivington Great House Barn (the lower one), starting
with a hot drink at 10-00am. We then cycle up to Healey Nab to try the new tracks
and mountain bike circuits there, green, red and black routes will be on offer. Anyone
wanting just the lunch should arrive at the tea room at 12-30pm. I will be taking
bookings for this event from late September/early October, when I can be more specific
about the cost and final details. Brian.
Thursday 9th: Meet at 10-00am on the Tesco car park at Burscough, map ref SD443123.
Elevenses' on the outskirts of Burscough, before crossing the now decommissioned
WW2 Royal Naval Airstation, HMS Ringtail, through Ormskirk to Ruff Wood and on to
Warbreck Garden Centre at Lathom for lunch. We then ride via Bath Lodge, Blythe
Hall and the Leeds and Liverpool canal towpath to The Farm for afternoon tea. Then
it's back to Burscough for about 3-45pm by way of New Lane and the end of this 26
mile easy ride, 75% of it being off-road. This ride is organised by, and is to led
by Dug Heaven
Sunday 19th: Meet at 11-00am. This is the traditional Lancashire Group Christmas
walk from Rivington Hall Barn, map ref SD633144. There will also be the option of
a short cycle ride again this year. There will be a full Christmas menu available
from about 12-00noon, and entertainment by the Horwich Brass Band. All welcome!
2011
January
Thursday 13th: Meet at 10-00am, 9-30am if you would like a hot drink! Meet at Ken
Glaze's house, 8 Springmount Drive, Hilldale, near Parbold, WN8 7AP. Map ref SD493123.
Riding out via Hunters Hill, Harrock Hill, Tunley Chisnall Woods and Whittle bottoms
to Mawdesley Church Hall for lunch (£3-50). We will ride back along the quiet lanes
and the canal towpath back to Hilldale for about 3-30pm. The ride will about 21 miles,
30% off-road and fairly easy. Organised and to be led by Ken Glaze.
Sunday 30th: Meet at 10-00am. Meet at Worden Park, Leyland. Map ref SD541211. We
leave the park via Midge Hall, the Brickcroft Nature Reserve and Longton Marsh, then
through Howick Cross, and riding beside the River Ribble we arrive at Avenham Park,
Preston for lunch. We return by crossing the river over the Old Tramway Bridge and
route 62 of the NCN to Whitestake, and over Farrington Moss back to Leyland. An easy
ride of about 25 miles, 45% off-road, and back at the park by around 3-30pm. Organised
and to be led by Dug Heaven.
February
Thursday 10th: Meet at 10-00am. Meet on the public car park behind Cuerden Hall (the
Sue Ryder Centre). Map ref SD566237. Using the Lancashire Cycleway and the tracks
over the flanks of Anglezarke Moor we will head for the cafe at the White Bear Marina,
Addlington for elevenses'. Then we will follow the Leeds and Liverpool canal towpath
to Haigh Hall for lunch. We will return along the now disused railway route from
Red Rock to Addlington, along the towpath to Chorley and onto NCN 55 back to Cuerden
Hall. A moderate ride of around 30 miles, 70% off-road, and be back for about 3-45pm.
Sunday 27th: Meet at 10-00am. Meet at the Pendle Heritage Centre, Barrowford. Map
ref SD863399. If you are using the car park here there will be a £2-00 charge, there
are free car parks not too far away. Riding out to Gargrave for lunch along the Leeds
and Liverpool Canal towpath and the Lancashire Cycleway. Returning via East Marton,
Salterforth and Foulridge. A moderate ride of around 27 miles, 70% off-road, and
returning for about 3-45pm.
Check out the Diary of Rough-Stuff Fellowship Local Group events in the UK for more
information on other Rough-Stuff Fellowship events.
