Balderstone bound and Beyond

If riders have signed to the ride on line, if the ride needs to be cancelled at short notice (eg due to weather conditions) all people booked on will be notified electronically.

This route has been designed to make good use of a combination of traffic free cycle trails and quiet back lanes. It leaves Bamber Bridge utilising the the Old Tramway to Avenham Park, to pick up the Guild Wheel. Riders follow the "Wheel" to the A59 Tickled Trout where they utilise a separated, parallel cycle lane running along the A59, to pick up quiet back lanes along to Balderstone. Tackling the first and steepest climb of the ride, cyclists head up and over Mellor Knoll. After an invigorating descent, riders then continue on and upwards over to Hoghton. The final, significant climb elevates riders from Hoghton over to Brindle. At the village of Top O’th Lane, riders begin the descent back to Whittle le Woods and join the Cuerden Valley Park cycle route, a welcome, flat return route to the starting point in Bamber Bridge.

Traffic free cycle route and quite back lanes.

There are multiple cafes along the route, including Avenham, Brockholes Visitors Centre, the Boars Head (Hoghton) and Cuerden Valley Park Cafe. The plan will be to take well earned refreshment towards the end of the ride, at Cuerden Cafe.

Riders should bring drink, plenty of snacks and a spare inner tube to fit their bike wheel size. It is recommended that riders dress according to the weather conditions and carry a waterproof in case of wet weather spells. Helmets are compulsory for children and young people. It is strongly advised that adults wear a helmet. Children and young people must be accompanied by a responsible adult. If riders have a health condition that could require medication, they should carry their prescribed medicines for the purposes of self-medication and, if they feel it appropriate, inform the Ride Leader, in confidence, of this. To guarantee a place adults should book their place online through the LetsRide website. At the "You're booked" screen, there is the option to add accompanying children on the right hand side. Please ensure you do this to ensure that all riders are guaranteed a place.

This ride is suitable for riders who wish to challenge themselves and rider further and longer. There is the possibility of an escape route from Hoghton, to cut the ride short, should anyone struggle. We always ride at the speed of the slowest but recommend that you do not book onto the ride unless you are sure you can ride for 3 hours of more.