England : Greater Manchester Blackpool and Back

[middleagecyclist]

Any suggestions on this planned 110 mile route from Manchester to Blackpool and back would be appreciated. It is meant for riding in cold and potentially icy weather so avoids very quiet and/or steep roads where possible while hopefully still being interesting. No experience of the cycle path between Preston and Bamber Bridge but the satellite pics show it to be well surfaced.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

A666 not good, use the B roads that run parallel.

 

[middleagecyclist]

A666 not good, use the B roads that run parallel.

Will happily divert to alternative if weather is good. I would hope the A666 would be passable in most weathers hence the choice. Is it that bad? I've only cycled on it from Green Arms Rd to Stones Bank Rd and it didn't seem any worse than other A roads in the area.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Personally I think it's pretty bad, but then you chose the east lancs rd... Check out the good companions audax, that may help you avoid the main rds.

The a666 is one of the most dangerous rds in Britain, if i remember correctly. It has signs all the way along informing just how many accidents and fatalities there's been.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Personally I think it's pretty bad, but then you chose the east lancs rd... Check out the good companions audax, that may help you avoid the main rds.

The a666 is one of the most dangerous rds in Britain, if i remember correctly. It has signs all the way along informing just how many accidents and fatalities there's been.

Well...yes...but the East Lancs was to be ridden early on a Saturday in a group of cyclists. It wasn't that busy but certainly not the most pleasant road i'll grant you

Do you have a link for the good companions audax?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/10-934/

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Well...yes...but the East Lancs was to be ridden early on a Saturday in a group of cyclists. It wasn't that busy but certainly not the most pleasant road i'll grant you

Do you have a link for the good companions audax?

Not pleasant!!!! :Shock: I've never ever been so scared on my bike ever ever ever ever.....I did not enjoy being lantern rouge at all, in the fog at dawn.

The m65 is less busy and has less lanes....

 

[middleagecyclist]

Oh. I see. It's a route. I thought it was some useful tome/website to help find interesting yet safe cycling roads

 

[middleagecyclist]

Not pleasant!!!! :Shock: I've never ever been so scared on my bike ever ever ever ever.....I did not enjoy being lantern rouge at all, in the fog at dawn.

The m65 is less busy and has less lanes....

It wasn't that foggy!

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Must have cleared by the time you caught me up...

 

[Sammy Carrotjuice]

Hope weather holds out for this one. Did the night ride Manchester to Southport and back couples months ago and no problems coming back on the East Lancs road.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Hope weather holds out for this one. Did the night ride Manchester to Southport and back couples months ago and no problems coming back on the East Lancs road.

Hi Sammy.

Nice to see you on CycleChat.

Glad you didn't have any issues with the East Lancs. I suppose you were in a larger group and on it at slightly earlier time. I appreciate it is not a nice cycling road but at that time of day on the last 30 miles of a century ride I thought it would be a fast way home. Needless to say I will be avoiding all such roads where possible on future routes (and checking for bridge closures, etc!). I've not finalized the routing for the Blackpool ride yet so any comments/suggestions get them in now.

Hope the weather is OK for it. It's really not a ride I want to do on a cold and wet day.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Ever thought of using the Manchester To Blackpook Bike Events route , few major roads on that one.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2014708