POSTPONED - Mid Summer ride around the Lancashire Ring - D..
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A mid summer cycling event suitable for trail riders and leisure cyclists with hybrids or mountain bikes.
You’re invited on a mid summer, two day journey along the Rochdale Canal, Leeds/Liverpool Canal and the Bridgewater Canal.
Offering suprising contrasts between industrial heritage, contemporary life and modern city centre living, this route is enjoyed by boating enthusiasts as well as walkers and cyclist.
Over two days we’ll ride an anti-clockwise, circular towpath route totalling a distance of 103 miles including transiting no less than 120 locks.
We'll begin our journey on the Rochdale Canal just east of Manchester City Centre and ride to Hebden Bridge where we'll leave the canal to ride a none technical trail across the moors to Burnley. In Burnley we'll pick up the Leeds/Liverpool canal and head west to Blackburn to end day one's ride.
Day 2 sees us continue south along the Leeds/Liverpool Canal to Wigan where we leave the one canal and join the Bridgewater Canal into Manchester City Centre before we once again join the Rochdale Canal back to the start point.
Day one entails a 56 mile ride whilst a shorter and more leisurely second day entails 47 miles.
If you wish to attend both days please sign up to each of the events.
Itinerary
Day 1
From the start point we travel northwards through Rochdale, Milnrow, Littleborough, Todmorden and on to Hebden Bridge. Once in Hebden Bridge we'll hop off the canal and stop for lunch. There are lots of tea rooms and cafes for those wishing to purchase rather than carry lunch.
After lunch we will ride to Burnley via the moorland trails. Heading up from Hebden Bridge we ride a fairly tough, but short climb and then gently head up to Hardcastle Crags skirting Hebden Dale. From there we’ll continue on an easy track crossing Hebden Water via the picturesque arched bridge close to Walshaw Dean and past Widdop reservoir riding up over the moors by road to Burnley.
Once in Burnley we will pick up the Leeds/Liverpool Canal and travel west on to Blackburn where day 1's ride ends and where we'll overnight.
Day 2
Details of Day 2 can be found here:
https://www.outdoorlads.com/events/mid-summer-cycle-around-lancashire-ring-day-2-2-200621
What to bring
Bike: a mountain bike or hybrid (no road bikes)
Helmet: OutdoorLads requires you to wear one
Clothing: lightweight and layered, shorts are great even in rain as they allow free movement of your legs. Avoid jeans, which are uncomfortable when wet, and baggy tracksuit bottoms, which can snag in the chain. Colourful and/or reflective clothing will make you more visible to other road users
Footwear: grippy soles if your bike has standard pedals
Gloves: cycle gloves help avoid blisters, and are good in the cold
Punctures: spare inner tube, bike tyre pump and tyre levers
Tools: any special tools that your bike needs
Small snacks: such as chocolate or energy bars
Plenty of water: in bottles on your bike or in a daysack/bladder
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Eye protection: avoid getting grit or insects in your eyes; sunglasses are OK if they are not made of glass and not too shaded
Sun cream: take care, even on overcast days
Storage: small day-sack or a bag on your bike
Food & drink
Please ensure you have plenty of drinks, snacks and a hearty packed lunch for each day's ride. Given the nature of the ride there are lots of places en-route to purchase food and drink if you so wish.
Breakfast and evening meals can sourced at our start/end points.