England : Lancashire ColinJ's 103 km or 107 mile 'Back from the Dead' forum ride Sat 29/03/14

[ColinJ]

Ok you lot ... I think I may have mentioned in passing that a couple of minor ailments prevented me organising any rides since June 2012?

Well ... things were finally looking up by December 2013 so I am hoping to be ready to do another forum ride by the end of March this year. It is always possible that my health will let me down again, or that my fitness does not improve as quickly as hoped, but let's be optimistic and assume that I will make steady progress for the following 11 weeks.

If you fancy joining me for a forum ride, pencil in Sat, 29th March. I am mentioning this now because I know how many of you get booked up weeks in advance, so I am getting in first dibs on that date!

I HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF THE FEEDBACK BELOW AND CHANGED THE FORMAT OF THE RIDE TO ALLOW A CHOICE OF 103 KM OR 107 MILES!

The main loop is a 'long' metric century starting from Spring Wood picnic centre above Whalley and taking in the glorious Trough of Bowland. From the summit, it is mainly downhill to our cafe stop at Glasson Dock on the Lune estuary. We will return to Whalley via Longridge, Ribchester and Billington.

If you fancy doing a 'long' imperial century, there will be an earlier start from Hebden Bridge to Spring Wood, and back again at the end of the day.

Here is the profile. The 103 km loop is the big bit in the middle. I have tacked on the rides from HB to Spring Wood and Spring Wood to HB. (The extra bits go via the Padiham Greenway, and the Old Roman Road via Read to avoid the busy, less scenic "Devil's Elbow" though we could take the main road if we wanted to.)

Here is a small scale map of the route:

For those of you with GPS devices, I have created 3 GPX files. The outward leg (Spring Wood - Trough of Bowland - Glasson Dock), the return leg (Glasson Dock - Longridge - Spring Wood), and the two linked together into one file (Spring Wood - Trough of Bowland - Glasson Dock - Longridge - Spring Wood). Links to the files are attached to this post.

PS I have now added a 4th GPX file, for the second half of the ride from Hebden Bridge to Burnley, starting at the traffic lights at Manchester Rd/A646. (To get to Manchester Rd, follow the A646 from HB to Todmorden, right at the mini-roundabout in Tod, eventually straight across at the junction with Bacup Rd and climb through Habergham Eaves to the TL at Manchester Rd.)

We come back 7.5 km along the outward leg after the cafe stop and that might look a bit confusing on your GPS screen if you try using a file for the full ride so you have the option of switching smaller files at the cafe stop, which is what I will do.

NB These are very detailed tracks which enable you to work out accurate distance and elevation data. I know from past experience that many GPS devices 'choke' on GPX files containing that many points so I highly recommend that you check that your device is okay with the files. If it isn't, you will have to use my files as a guide and plot simpler tracks just showing the turns using your mapping software or route mapping websites.

ColinJ Glasson Dock forum ride 29/3/2014 routesheet

SO = straight on
TL = traffic lights
O = roundabout
LHS = lefthand side
RHS = righthand side
L = left
R = right
BL = bear left
BR = bear right
sp = signposted

WHALLEY to GLASSON DOCK

Start SPRING WOOD picnic centre car park, A671, above Whalley
SO TL, descend hill
R at mini-O in WHALLEY at 0.8 km
L on B6246 at mini-O at 1.1 km
R at T at 5.4 km (sp Trough of Bowland)
SO (BL) at 6.5 km (sp Trough of Bowland)
SO at X at 7.9 km (sp Trough of Bowland)
SO at 9.4 km (sp Trough of Bowland)
SO at BASHALL EAVES at 10.2 km
Continue gradual climb to COW ARK at 13.6 km
BL and descend to Lees
R at T at 15.4 km (sp Trough of Bowland)
Stay on that road through WHITEWELL to Dunsop Bridge
SO at DUNSOP BRIDGE at 22.3 km (sp Trough of Bowland)
Ride glorious TROUGH OF BOWLAND & assemble at summit at 27.2 km for group photo
L sp Scorton at 31.5 km *** DO NOT RIDE PAST THIS TURN - EASY TO DO! ***
SO at 33.8 km
BL at 38.2 km
R at 38.7 km sp Bay Horse/Galgate
SO at X at 39.5 km sp Bay Horse/Galgate
SO at X at 40.6 km
SO at X at 41.1 km
SO at X at 42.4 km
SO at 43 km sp Galgate/Lancaster
BL under M6 at 44 km
Cross A6 SO at TL at 44.7 km in GALGATE
**CAUTION** s-bend under viaduct at 44.9 km!
BL at T at 45 km
Stay on that road until L on A588 at 48 km
Almost Immediate R sp Glasson Dock
SO at mini-O at 49.2 km
L at 49.7 km in GLASSON DOCK
Cafe stop at Lantern O'er Lune on RHS at 49.8 km

GLASSON DOCK TO WHALLEY

(Back the way we came, through GALGATE as far as FIVE LANE ENDS)

Distances from Glasson Dock cafe (Reset trip distance after cafe, otherwise
add 49.8 km to all distances below)

Back over bridge from cafe in GLASSON DOCK
R at T at 0.1 km
SO at mini-O at 0.6 km
L at onto A588 at 1.7 km
Immediate R at 1.8 km
Stay on that road until R at T at 4.8 km
**CAUTION** s-bend under viaduct at 4.9 km
SO A6 X-TL in GALGATE at 5.1 km
Continue under M6 to FIVE LANE ENDS, R at X at 7.4 km sp Bay Horse
L at T at 8.5 km sp Dolphinholme
SO at 9.0 km
SO at 10.5 km
L at T at 11.1 km
SO at T at 11.5 km
Over M6 at 12.6 km
R at T at 12.7 km
Back over M6 at 13.7 km
SO at X in SCORTON at 14.4 km
[Alternative cafe stop The Barn on R at 14.5 km]
L at T (before bridge) at 16.0 km
BL at 18.1 km
Back over M6 again(!) at 18.3 km
SO at 18.5 km
BR at 19.0 km
SO at 19.2 km
BL at 19.4 km
R at T on bend at 20.7 km
SO (BL) at T on bend at 21.3 km
SO at T at 21.9 km
SO (BR) at T at 22.1 km
BR sp Preston at 22.6 km
L at T at 23.2 km
BL at T at 24.2 km
BR at T at 25.0 km sp Beacon Fell Country Park
L at T at 26.7 km
SO at T at 27.6 km
SO at INGLEWHITE at 28.6 km
SO (BL) at T at 29.9 km
SO at X at 30.3 km
BR at T on bend at 31.0 km
SO at X at 32.0 km
SO (BR) at T on bend in LONGRIDGE at 35.2 km
SO at mini-O at 35.5 km
L at mini-O at 35.7 km
SO at mini-O at 36.1 km
L at T at 36.4 km
NB Toilets on LHS after turn may be open
BR downhill at White Bull at 36.5 km
Good 5.3 km main road descent to RIBCHESTER at 42.0 km
Stay on that road through the village and cross the R.Ribble at 43.3km
Immediate L onto lane after bridge sp for cyclists
STING IN THE TAIL a.k.a. ** ENGAGE GROVELLING GEAR NOW ** at 44.7 km
SO at T at 46.3 km
L at T at 47.2 km sp Brockhall Village
SO at T at 47.9 km
BR at 49.2 km
Climb over A59 at 50.4 km
L at mini-O in BILLINGTON at 50.8 km
Follow main road to WHALLEY at 52.6 km
R at mini-O and attack Col de Spring Wood if you have the energy & inclination!
Cross A671 at TL at X at 53.3 km to SPRING WOOD car park

THAT'S ALL FOLKS, HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT! - COLINJ
If you want to do the full 107 miles, meet at Market Place car park, Hebden Bridge [MAP] by 07:45 with a view to setting off at 08:00 sharp. If you are late, we will have already set off so chase us on the A646 towards Burnley and Padiham. You would have about 15 miles to catch us before we turn off onto the Padiham Greenway at Rose Grove. [ETA Rose Grove 09:10ish]

If you are just doing the main 103 km loop, meet at Spring Wood picnic centre car park off the A671 above Whalley by 09:45 with a view to setting off at 10:00 sharp. If you are late, we will have already set off so chase after us using your GPS/Map/Routesheet for guidance.

PS Usual CycleChat forum ride rules apply - nobody left behind (IF YOU SET OFF WITH US!), wait at the top of hills for others in your group. The rides are not fast and are more about chatting, laughing and scenery, so don't come if you are desperate to average more than (say) 10-12 mph. I guess that the 103 km loop will take 5-7 hours and HB to Whalley about 2 hours each way but it depends on the speed of the slowest rider.

 

[ColinJ]

I would like at least one other rider (preferably 2 or more!) with a reliable GPS to help me keep the riders on track. Previous editions of the ride were quite popular and it is better to have someone at the front and the back who know the route in case gaps start to appear in the group.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Accy Stanley are away that day Colin and Whalley as you know is only a few miles from me so i'm interested!

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

I'm in subject to shift patterns, I've also got GPS as well so that's us back markers sorted.

 

[MartinQ]

Put it in the diary, but see how I'm feeling . It would be good to meet up.

 

[Pennine-Paul]

If I can manage to shake off this lurgy I've had since xmas then count me in

 

[ColinJ]

Accy Stanley are away that day Colin and Whalley as you know is only a few miles from me so i'm interested!

I'd like to volunteer @potsy to help you Colin. I'm not sure where I will be at the end of March but I'll put it in my diary and see if I can join you. Thanks

Put it in the diary, but see how I'm feeling . It would be good to meet up.

It would be nice to meet all of you!

I'm in subject to shift patterns, I've also got GPS as well so that's us back markers sorted.

I hope you can make it, Shaun. (I will be doing quite a lot of rides building up to the forum ride so perhaps we can meet up on a few of those?)

If I can manage to shake off this lurgy I've had since xmas then count me in

It is persistent isn't it - my sister has been ill off and on for about 6 weeks with what sounds like a nationwide bug, and many other family members (including me!) succumbed over the holiday period.

At least we have 11 or 12 weeks to get over it and get some miles in.

I have put @potsy on the list whether he likes it or not. I notice that he is keeping his head down on this one!
Provisional rider list:

• ColinJ
• Accy cyclist
• bromptonfb
• Rockymountain
• Pennine-Paul
• potsy
• MartinQ

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I'd love to join you but I'd have to leave Ippo Rock City about a week before your ride starts to make it on time

Have fun though, it's awesome to see you organising rides again though.

 

[ColinJ]

I'd love to join you but I'd have to leave Ippo Rock City about a week before your ride starts to make it on time

Have fun though, it's awesome to see you organising rides again though.

Ha ha! Well, it is one thing organising them, but it will be another thing actually riding them ...

I am feeling rough with a cold at the moment but I am having to project forwards how I hope to feel in nearly 3 months time.

I have planned easier options if I am not up to the full century ride, but it is a great target to aim for so that is my plan unless something makes it obvious that it isn't going to happen.

If I could do that 100-miler without suffering too much then I would feel that I had returned to an acceptable level of health and fitness. I hope for more than that longer term, but it might not be possible.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Colin's getting in the excuses already lads....:troll:

 

[ColinJ]

Colin's getting in the excuses already lads....:troll:

Well, I don't want anybody to be shocked if I turn up only capable of riding 50 miles! (The 50 mile loop over 'The Trough' is still a nice ride so hopefully whatever we do, people will still enjoy the ride.)

Let's face it - by the end of March I could be anywhere from dead, to dead fit, and we won't know until we get there!

Fingers crossed that the weather improves soon so I can get some miles in without getting soaked, though I can still ride my gym bike for fitness even if it doesn't.

I imagine that I will be over my cold in a week or so, though my sister's has dragged on for nearly 6 now!

 

[coffeejo]

If, if, if............................ amongst many, many other things, I can cope with the thought of 6 hours each way of travelling, I might come along. Possibly. Maybe. We'll see...

 

[Christopher]

My manor innit! Put me down as well please Colin. Tentative for the moment but don't see owt else clashing with that date asyet. Be nice to see you again (& everyone else too) & can do back-marker duties if required.

coffejo be nice to meet you too!

 

[ColinJ]

If, if, if............................ amongst many, many other things, I can cope with the thought of 6 hours each way of travelling, I might come along. Possibly. Maybe. We'll see...

That would be super, though I know it would mean an awful lot of travelling for you and be very stressful.

My manor innit! Put me down as well please Colin. Tentative for the moment but don't see owt else clashing with that date as yet. Be nice to see you again (& everyone else too) & can do back-marker duties if required.

coffejo be nice to meet you too!

Done!

A list of people who might want to do the ride :

• ColinJ
• Accy cyclist
• bromptonfb
• Rockymountain
• Pennine-Paul
• potsy
• MartinQ
• coffeejo
• Christopher

.

 

[Christopher]

@ColinJ - I bet you could track down @phil_hg_uk - sounds like his sort of thing.

Yes. Sevendo and Globalti too! And anyone else too.