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10th Jan Cuerden Hall to Haigh Hall
It was pouring with rain and we had searched three car parks at Cuerden Hall for familiar RSF vehicles when "the good shepherd" Brian found us and corralled us to the correct meeting place.
Cuerden Valley park is large and lovely and full of woods and streams. The first fast flowing flooded ford was a photo opportunity and rear wheels were posed axel deep as if emerging from the maelstrom.
Heading South West along the banks of the river Lostock we spied what must be one of Lancashire's last smoking mill chimneys at Whittle le Woods.
Next, up Heapey Nab, a steep and stoney bridleway which had us off and on our iron horses, resulting in us bit and bitting it with two real live flesh and blood steeds whose mounts gave us friendly encouragement.
We'd already had splendid views but the best was yet to come. As our ride climbed up to the North end of Anglezarke Reservoir the dramatic Black Coppice, a dark granite escarpment at the edge of the West Pennine Moors, rose out of the deep valley, skirted by a woodland of the darkest burgundy. The rain made all colours vibrant and the sun struggling through the storm clouds enhanced the landscape spectacularly. I was hoping to see a rainbow over the reservoir far below but non appeared.
The elevated route eventually dropped down to a very pretty section of the Leeds and Liverpool canal full of cheerfully painted narrow boats as we approached Adlington Marina Cafe. A welcome respite for our witchard group and where Eddie was waiting for us, warm and dry.
For the next legto our destination, Haigh Hall, and also for a short stint returning along a converted tram track which in the day's conditions resembled a river, Brian relinquished leadership to Eddies local knowledge. Back on the canal the latter peeled off home at Botony Bay leaving Doug Steve and i to enjoy Brian's informative commentry on this waterway's history.
As we made our way back to Cuerden, precipitaion persisted and we arrived soaked but highly satisfied with a wonderful varied day of Lancashire landscapes.
For those interested in statistics my state of the art Christmas present computer recorded we had ridden 30 miles at an average of 7.5mph. My maximum speed had been 25.1mph. . Our total ascent was 1440ft of which the max gradient was 26% [1 in 4]. Brian Doug and Eddie rode MTBs and my husband Steve and I were on "club" tourers.
Anni Gregson
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Sunday 27th January: A ride to Sefton Meadows Tea Room
Fourteen riders, including three potential new recruits and one returning “old” member set off from The Sands pub cark, Ainsdale for the now traditional easy January ride on Mersey coast and West Lancashire plain.
Making our way southward via firstly the Cheshire lines path before following the Sefton Coastal path, we took our first stop at the Waitrose Café in Formby.
Picking up the coastal path once more we proceeded to Hightown where we stopped to see the remains of a 5000 year old submerged forest on the banks of the Mersey.
We continued to Hall Road Crosby via the newly laid cycle track, then turned inland through Little Crosby, crossing the A565 at Thornton.
Then through Lunt to cross the River Alt at Showricks bridge before reaching the lunch stop at Sefton Meadows garden centre where we met up with Ken and Dot who had tandemmed in from Parbold.
The group returned to Ainsdale along the Cheshire Lines path with a detour along
Leeds -
On the Cheshire Lines path, once more, we paused again to view the substantial flooding caused by a breach in the main waterway which drains the moss in this area and returned to the start point after a very sociable 30 mile ride.
Peter Gawthorne
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14th February: A ride to Gargrave
We met at the Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford, which by the way has an excellent cafe, for this winter ride to Gargrave. Eight of us set off on this ride, firstly east along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Towpath to join Sustrans Route 68 to our elevenses stop at the tea room at West Marton. After our break we rode about a mile towards East Marton on the A59 to join the byway to Ingthorpe Grange, and on to rejoin Route 68 at Stainton Hall, then continuing east along it we made our way to the Dalesman Cafe at Gargrave, this being a well known haunt of cyclists.
Following lunch we backtracked along Route 68 as far as Bank Newton, here we took another byway to East Marton to rejoin the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The section of towpath from here to the point where we joined Route 68 earlier has not been upgraded yet and we had an extremely slippery one and a quarter mile ride to reach it. Thankfully no one took the plunge, into the canal that is.
We now returned to Barrowford using the outward route of the morning, it was quite a cold, overcast day, but stayed dry, with very little wind. We covered just over thirty relatively flat miles and I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Brian Parkinson.
Click here to view photos of the ride.
24th February: A tour of Rivington.
Well as you have probably seen from the photo's I took the weather forecast was spot on, rain and mist, hence only the four of them, I did not want to get the camera too wet. Most of the ride was conducted off road at about the one thousand foot level, and as usual on a Sunday the area was inundated with other cyclists and walkers.
We went to Curlies Tea Room for lunch, via Barrow Bridge and the golf course, Eddie had rode over from Appley Bridge to meet us here, making our number up to six.
Following lunch we rode along Georges Lane, then Belmont Road (both of these virtually unsurfaced), to reach Lead Mines Clough (Anglezarke), then following the track around the reservoir we arrived back at Rivington.
I don't think the weather detracted from our enjoyment of the ride unduly, and I hope to see you all on our next outing.
Brian Parkinson.
Click here to view photos of the ride.
Thursday 13th March: A ride from Tockholes cafe to Edgeworth.
Leaving Tockholes the six of us rode around the lower fringes of Darwen Moor, passing beside Sunnyhurst Wood, Bold Venture Park and Whitehall Park to cross the A666 at Bull Hill, and thence along Edge Lane and the Wayoh Reservoir Dam to reach our lunch stop at the Edgeworth Coffee Shop. It had stayed dry up until now, but whilst having lunch it started to rain, and continued to do so until we arrived at the road junction at Dimple (via the Last Drop Village). Here Christine and Keith left us to ride back to Darwen on the A666, it was Keith's first time out with us, and only his second ride for quite a few years, hopefully we will see him out with us again.
Crossing the A666 at Dimple we used the newly opened bridleway to Stones Bank, and
continued towards Tockholes on the track alongside Longworth Moor, from here we could
see a queue of traffic almost half a mile long, due to the road works at Belmont.
At Crookfield Road we decided to leave the track and ride directly to Tockholes on
the road, knowing that the tea room closed at 3-
We covered just less than 20 miles, the majority of this off road, hopefully the weather did not detract from the enjoyment of the ride, and I'll see you all again next time.
Brian Parkinson.
Click here to view photos of the ride.
Sunday 30th March: A ride to Dunsop Bridge.
We met on the public car park at Chipping, it is free of charge at present, but is
soon to become yet another victim to the greed of the Council and become a pay and
display one. We left the car park at 10-
Passing through Lower and Higher Greystoneley on the bridleway through the ford, we started our climb of Mellor Knoll, the weather had been quite wet over the previous few days, making the climb quite sticky to say the least. Stopping for a breather at the top, and to take in the distant views, Anni pulled from her pannier a car foot pump, presumably to top up someone's tyre pressure. After some discussion as to the merits and reasons for carrying it, Steve decided to do the chivalrous thing and carried it for the rest of the ride in his pannier.
We travelled down the extremely slippery field path down into the Trough of Bowland, for refreshments at the Dunsop Bridge Village Hall, good food at a reasonable price. I bought three books from one of the stalls and Brian Marsh bought a brassed ceramic fish which he intends to make into a nesting box. Leaving the hall we went into the village itself to meet with Ken and Dot who had rode over on their tandem (by road), we also met Brian Grice who had driven there from Chipping after having mechanical problems with his cycle.
Leaving Dunsop Bridge on the road to Whitewell, we turned right at Burholme Bridge to return to Chipping via the track over Ginney Hey, the weather had stayed dry for us, but the day was generally overcast. There were eight members on this ride of about twenty miles, thank you all for your company, and helping me to find my rear light which had fallen off just after leaving the Whitemore Plantation.
Brian Parkinson.
Click here to view photos of the ride.
Thursday 10th April: A circuit of Pendle.
10 members from an area bounded by Preston, Halifax, Mellor and Darwen met at Whalley, for a ride in mostly dry weather on a day when the forecast indicated more rain than we experienced. 9 men and 1 lady including 2 riding from home to the start.
After some cheerful banter with young golfers, we entered the always attractive Sabden
valley. Our usual cafe was closed, it seems it was a victim of its own success due
to being too much work for its owner. However the local `deli` had hot drinks which
we took outside in the sunshine. In its front window, ex-
Heading east from the main crossroads in the centre, the track was initially rideable but as it turned south and up the steep climb to Padiham Heights, most of us walked. Quiet lanes were then enjoyed via Sabden Hall, followed by a ford through Pendle Water before the Visitor Centre where the corn beef hash caused some discussion.
The track by Black Moss reservoirs is a bit stony but a scenic way of getting to
Downham gentlemens toilets, converted from a shipon and such an attraction that our
lady member decided on an inspection-
All that remained was to continue westwards and to the bridleway which passes Mearley Farm. On the road through Pendleton and Wiswell, we experienced the only ( light) rain of the day.
Including the 14 miles to and from the ride, our lady member`s new computer showed the maximum gradiant as 26%, 2988 feet of ascent, mimimum temperature 5C and 36 miles covered at an average 8.2mph.
Steve Gregson, Mellor, Blackburn.
Click here to view photos of the ride.
Sunday 27th April: A ride from Parbold to Astley Hall.
6 riders arrived at Ken's house at hilldale on a very wet Sunday morning ready for
a 10-
After a brew and a chat we left Kens and were staight onto a steep but well surfaced bridleway to the top of Hunters Hill.I did hear a bit of muttering along the lines of "I thought that Lancashire lanes were flat"at one point.Ken mentioned the marvellous view from the top of the hill but we had to use our imaginations because of the poor visibility.
It was then down steeply then along very pleasant lanes to just outside Eccleston where we picked up an excellent bridleway.I must admit that I have passed this spot many times and never noticed it.The bridleway ended on a very quiet lane that took us to the A49.100 yards downhill took us to another quiet lane which gave acces to another bridleway.
Some excellent navigating by Ken brought us to Astley Park in Chorley.The main feature of the park is the hall which ia a grade 1 listed building dating back to Elizabethan times.After lunch in the tearoom we spent very worthwhile 30 minutes
looking around the hall,determined to come back for another look at a later date.
On leaving the hall we went around Chorley and picked up another excellent bridleway which gave a good descent to Yarrow Valley Park,yet another worthwhile stopover.About a 10 minute push brought us to Coppull from where we threaded our way through the lanes to the A49 at Coppull Moor.Another well surfaced track took us over the M6 into Mossy Lea Rd.From there it was quiet lanes back to Kens.
In spite of the variable weather a good ride was enjoyed by all and it's thanks to Ken for his organisation and leadership.
Jim heyes.
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Thursday 8th May: A ride from Tockholes Information Centre Cafe to Rivington Green Tea Room
Nine of us met on a sunny day. Myself and Dug as joint leaders, me frontman and Dug rear or the sweeper as we liked to call him. Original leader Brian Parkinson was on holiday.First stop Abbey Village for a brew after a rollercoaster ride through the woods. Then onto Withnell,Brinscall and Wheelton,before heading to Rivington Village tea rooms for lunch via White Coppice. After a hearty lunch all up hill to the Pigeon Tower,windy but warm.Strong headwind downhill to Belmont,had to pedal.A great track all the back to Tockholes across the moor.Great day's ride and I think we did Brian proud.
Charlie Hall.
Click here to view Robs and Dug photos of the ride.
Sunday 25th May: A ride over the Salter Fell Road
Eight of us met on a very windy day. After a brew at Slaidburn cafe we set off towards Wray,climbing steeply over Cross of Greet,with some great decents 43mph and cross winds a bit hairy.Great views from the summit.This 15 mile trek to Wray only marred by one breakddown,Annie's rear mech jamming. Lunch at Wray,then up again to Salter Fell,where we passed a stone circle of maypole dancers,looked real from a distance.The wind over Salter was unforgiving,some gusts blowing us off the track.Quite exciting in a way.I'm into the wind,must be wierd!!!! Brian Grice managed to puncture two miles from Slaidburn on the long downhill with his puncture proof tyres,hard luck mate.Great 30 mile ride made extra hard by the wind.Thanks Duggy.
Charlie Hall.
Click here to view Dug photos of the ride.
Thursday 12th June: A ride to Southport Botanical Gardens
A surprising number of local riders turned up for the ride along west lancs lanes and tracks, so I think there was only 1 car left in the Lydiate Parish Hall car park as we set off. We joined the Cheshire lines cycle way at Lydiate and followed it through to Ainsdale where we crossed the A565 to join the coastal cycle way which took us into Southport along the promenade. We didn’t have time to go along the Pier where there is plenty of information about the history of Southport which is very interesting. Doug then took us a short cut through a few streets avoiding the busy roundabout at Crossens, and into the back of the Botanic Gardens for our lunch, well worth a visit if you are in Southport the gardens are lovely and there are band concerts on Sundays during summer months. We left the gardens and went through the one way system in Churchtown and headed out past the Southport Golf Links taking the wide track over the river and after about !/2 mile just before 2 semi cottages took a right turn down another track for About 2 miles over Scarisbrick Moss and where 3 tracks meet we took the right turn which took us to Bescar Lane Station. Taking a left turn at the cross roads we made our way to a new farm cafe near the Martin Inn for refreshments and much good humour, then carried on to Heatons Bridge Inn where we joined the Leeds Liverpool canal and followed the towpath to Hallsall coming off a t Bridge no.26. We then wended our way through narrow lanes up over Clieves Hil where we stopped for a good view of Liverpool City, the Bay, and coastline up towards Blackpool. Back down the hill and along more narrow lanes back to Lydiate. The weather stayed fine all day and I think everyone enjoyed the ride about 31 miles, mainly flat and very environmentally friendly as we mostly rode to and from the start of the ride. A great crowd to ride with!
Anne Thompson
Click here to view Rob’s photos of the ride.
Sunday 29th June : A ride from Wycoller Village
We left the car park to head up through the village of Wycoller, taking the back road and passing Pepper Hill Barn to miss out the slippery ford, and headed up the Bronte Way. Just below Combe House we turned right to follow the track all the way to Coldwell, the cafe here is at present closed, but we used the seating in their garden to have our morning break, with a couple of members using the children's Wendy house to dine in as it had started to rain.
Now we followed the quiet 'B' roads to Worsthorne to eat our packed lunch's on the village green, we made good use of the local shop for a few extras to our sandwiches. For the return journey we ascended Gorple Road, to it's junction with the Mary Towneley Loop of the Pennine Bridleway, and continued on it over Black Moor to rejoin tarmac at the road to Thursden at Widdop.
At Thursden we turned right, to again join the Bronte Way and our route back to Wycoller. This time, on entering the village we attempted the ford, a couple of our members can now testify to it's slippiness (and wetness), but luckily the cafe was still open for some very welcome refreshment whilst they dried out.
It was noticed that all our members were on mountain bikes on this occasion, something that as far as I know has not occurred previously on our rides, is this a sign of things to come?
The weather was quite mixed, starting off dry, but overcast, turning to heavy rain by lunchtime, then we were into the clouds on Black Moor and by the time we were approaching Wycoller in the afternoon the Sun was out in a lovely blue sky! A day of contrasts.
Brian Parkinson.
Cick here to view Brian’s photos of the ride.
Tuesday 15th July: A ride from Southport to Lydiate Village Hall to join the Dover Cycling Fellowship(28 miles)
A group of 8 including 3 1st timers, met at the new Southport P&R on Foul Lane. After being requested to make an immediate, prompt and speedy departure by the parking attendant, who explained that BUSY car parks, are no place for bicycles or cyclists. Capacity 600, at the time 34.
As the laughter subsided we got going via Shirdley Hill and Cleeves Hill to Lydiate, for the weekly meeting of the Dover Cycling Fellowship. Returning by way of the Leeds and Liverpool canal and Martin Mere to miss all those hills, with afternoon tea at The Farm Burscuough. Passing the gas holder, our homing landmark, we saw the now packed car park 47 cars and a van. On the plus side there is cctv coverage, spotlessly clean toilets, and the £1 fee includes a very frequent bus service to town
Dug Heaven.
Click here to view Brian’s photos of the ride.
Sunday 31st August: A ride from Spring Wood car park, Whalley to Clarion House and Pendle Hill.
Unfortunately the weather turned out to be misty for this quite high-
The next part of our journey took us into Barley, we used the quiet path beside Pendle Water. Leaving Barley we took the track alongside Barley Green Reservoir and continued along it until we arrived at the embankment of Ogden Reservoir, here we turned right onto the bridleway for the start of the steep climb up to Pendleside, everyone walked! Now following the boggy, slippery and undulating path we made our way to Pendle House and the beginning of the Tarmac road into Downham. From Downham we used the designated 'quiet lane' to Worston, and the Lancashire Cycleway to reach Whalley Abbey for our afternoon break at the excellent tea room. Here Geoff left us to make his way home early, and so, following a quick cuppa and cake we set off back to Spring Wood. This ride of about twenty three miles was I hope, enjoyed by the ten participating members, thank you all for supporting our group, see you all next time!
Brian Parkinson.
Click here to see Brian’s photos of the ride.
Sunday 28th September: Hollingworth Lake to Hebden Bridge.
This ride was organised jointly by the Northern Peak/South Pennine and Lancashire
Groups of the R.S.F. and was open to the public as part of the South Pennine Walking
and Cycling Festival. We only had two non-
The grey misty day soon turned to sunshine as we climbed over Clegg Moor and up to the summit of Blackstone Edge, here we had a short breather at the Whitehouse before descending through Cragg Vale to Hebden Bridge. This descent, I am told, is the longest in the country at almost six miles, it didn't seem that long, but was quite exhilarating nevertheless. Here our two visitors left us to return to Littlebourgh, I think they preferred a faster pace. Our usual cafe stop in Hebden Bridge by the canal is now closed permanently, so we used one of the town centre cafes by the river, the service was appalling, and the soup that I ordered was virtually inedible. I will not name the establishment here, but if anyone wants to know it's name so that they can avoid it, give me a ring.
The return journey was along the canal towpath, through Todmorden and thence onto the Pennine Bridleway back to Hollingworth Lake where we stopped for a natter and a brew in the visitor centre before heading off home.
Thanks again for your support, see you at the next ride!
Brian Parkinson.
Click here to view photos of the ride.
Thursday 13th November: A ride from Southport Botanical Gardens to Rufford
A group of 9 met at Southports Botanical Gardens for a pre ride brew and warm up just as the rain set in for the day,with Martin and Shorna trying their 1st RSF outing it wasn`t long before their shiney Hewitts had encountered some first class mud.
After crossing the Coast road, the proposed off road route to Fiddlers Ferry misses the Plough roundabout, with bridleways skirting around Banks to join the concessionary path on the old S`port / Preston line, then quiet lanes to Becconsall passing Far Banks and Hundred End. A short spell alongside the river Douglas into Tarleton leading to a farm track to Sollom. With too much mud on the canal topath we took a short spell on A 59 to Spark bridge, then joined the Leeds and Liverpool canal to Rufford for lunch at Fetlers Wharf, a nice dry spot for Bob to fix the only puncture of the day. Leaving the canal to at Town Meadow swing bridge, now down to 7 we headed across Holmeswood Moss for a short spell on NCN 91 into Mere Brow for tea at Leisure Lakes a further reduction left 5 heading over Martin Mere to Crossens,just as the rain decided to call it a day.
Dug Heaven
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Sunday 30th November: A ride to Ribchester
With quite a few bridleways ahead of us, it was a prompt start from Chipping and
on to `Quiet Lanes` which finally lead to the reservoirs at the east side of Longridge
and the `Written Stone` laid by a farmer in 1665 which history says had been disturbed
to search for rumoured gold. When none was found the cattle began to produce blood
so the stone was replaced for the interest ever-
Onto Ribchester across a field bridleway above Hothersall Hall with views over the River Ribble, the frosty conditions just keeping the grass free of mud.
After lunch, the slightly rising Gallows Lane lead to Stoneyhurst College gates and then west on a most beautiful track, initially in a tunnel in the trees which had by now lost their red and golden leaves, before opening out to views both forwards to Longridge Fells and backwords over to moors of the more industrial Lancashire to the south. A group out walking back to their farm professed interest in the friendliness, steadiness and companionship of the group, especially so for a father who had recently dusted down his old stead. Perhaps a new member?
A tough grassy climb , then into the trees of Jeffrey Hill for the tricky descent
which most decided to walk, however one newcomer could not resist a flight or two
over the handlebars-
All in all, a cold, dry but sunny day with great views and good food and banter at the Carmen Rose and Cobbled Corner cafes in Ribchester and Chipping. The infamous wellingtons, punctured a few rides ago seemed to have mysteriously sealed themselves, so once again dry feet for at least one of the 2 lady riders.
Steve Gregson
Senior Citizen and Apprentice Leader!!!!
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Past ride reports of 2008