Edinburgh to Manchester over a weekend

[400bhp]

Hi

I have a training session with work on Fri 1 July and am contemplating taking the bike up and cycling back over the weekend.

Has anyone done this? In particular are:

-there any roads to avoid?

-preferred route?

-accomodation about half way (100 miles ish)

Thanks

 

[PaulSB]

I shall be riding Edinburgh to Preston on the 16/17 June. I'll let you know my route when I've done it!

 

[400bhp]

Thanks, but I'll need to plan before the end of next week.

I've cobbled together a rough route.

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=255944

12,000ft of climbing

 

[Red Light]

Why not take a JOGLE route and then veer left as you get past Lancaster?

 

[400bhp]

Why not take a JOGLE route and then veer left as you get past Lancaster?

Where are these routes?

 

[fimm]

I think the "standard" route south from Edinburgh looks something like this:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&s...55.222757,-3.427734&spn=2.995735,7.042236&z=7

(sorry the insert short link function doesn't work for me).

You can cycle parallel to the M74 on minor roads. I'm not sure if I've got it exactly right, I'm just giving a rough map.

 

[400bhp]

Thanks for that, but I don't like the look of the A74.

I think i'm going to go via Innerleithen-stop there on Friday night and continue on Sat/Sun(probably).

What I'm trying to work out is how to carry enough kit for an overnight stop.

I can post my stuff back on Fri from Edinburgh, but would like a pair of duds/socks/t-shirt-trousers for Fri/sat night.

I'm trying to get innovative ideas not having to carry a rucksack. I have a Cannondale CAAD9 so not a tourer. I have a Topeak large Aero wedge under the seatpost, plus back pockets on my shirt.

Suggestions?

 

[ColinJ]

I've checked the route from Kirkby Stephen to Blackburn.

The climb from Garsdale Head is a killer! Fair enough if that's what you want to do but check those contours! There is another tough climb back up from Dentdale to the B6255 above Ribblehead.

You have definitely got at least one section of bridleway in your route! The section between Little Mearley Hall and Pendleton Hall near Clitheroe isn't a proper road. If you get as far as Pendleton Hall, the lane from there to Wiswell and over the A59 takes you to the old Clitheroe Road to Whalley which is a much nicer way of getting there (we used it on a forum ride last month).

Unless there is a particular reason to go via Downham, however, I'd recommend that you ride from Grindleton through West Bradford to Waddington village. The Country Kitchen cafe there is very cycling friendly. We use it a lot on our forum rides. From there, ride to Whalley via Bashall Town, continue towards Longridge Fell, then turn left for (Great) Mitton and continue on the B6246 to Whalley.

I don't know whether you really want to be going up Whalley Banks! It is reputed to be an extremely tough climb meriting chevrons on the OS map. The climb below it up Whalley Old Road would be much much kinder on your legs on such a long ride!

Good luck - it sounds like a fun ride!

As for luggage carrying - bodge a rack on like this?

 

[400bhp]

Thanks as always colin. When I am back on my laptop I will have a proper look at your route suggestions. The route was cobbled together in 10 mins and I suspected some of it would be unworkable.

As for the bodge pannier I'm afraid I haven't got time to sort out as I'm away for most of the month. I'm thinking of a plastic bag and cable tying a light pair of trousers and thin t shirt (probably cycling top) to the top tube..

Wish I could see the look on the finance departments faces when I claim 220+ cycling miles..

 

[aberal]

I think the "standard" route south from Edinburgh looks something like this:
http://maps.google.c...35,7.042236&z=7

(sorry the insert short link function doesn't work for me).

You can cycle parallel to the M74 on minor roads. I'm not sure if I've got it exactly right, I'm just giving a rough map.

I think his own suggested route north from the Border is better, hillier but less trafficked. The Biggar road is scenic enough, but busy with some fast traffic and HGV's.

 

[Brains]

If you have not got time to bodge a carrier than I would strongly suggest a quick purchase of a saddle bag and/or a bar bag
Both can be fitted in a very short time
A plakkie bag held onto the top tube with sellotape is not the way to go, you will regret it within 10 miles

 

[400bhp]

Is the issue with the sellotape, as I won't be using sellotape?
I don't know how cable tying will go, not tried it before.

 

[400bhp]

I've checked the route from Kirkby Stephen to Blackburn.

The climb from Garsdale Head is a killer! Fair enough if that's what you want to do but check those contours! There is another tough climb back up from Dentdale to the B6255 above Ribblehead.

I'm thinking Kirby Stephen is about the right distance for an overnight stop on Sat.

The only alternative route I can see is taking the A683 into Sedbergh. I don't like A roads but google maps shows it to be reasonably narrow and so much like a B road. Any experience of cycling on it? It's likely to be around 8am when I am on that stretch (sun morn) so should be fine.

If I drop into Sedbergh then I guess i can go through deepdale, ingleton, High Bentham, Slaidburn, Waddington. Sounds like an easier route?

 

[ColinJ]

I'm thinking Kirby Stephen is about the right distance for an overnight stop on Sat.

The only alternative route I can see is taking the A683 into Sedbergh. I don't like A roads but google maps shows it to be reasonably narrow and so much like a B road. Any experience of cycling on it? It's likely to be around 8am when I am on that stretch (sun morn) so should be fine.

If I drop into Sedbergh then I guess i can go through deepdale, ingleton, High Bentham, Slaidburn, Waddington. Sounds like an easier route?

Kirkby Lonsdale is Motorbike Central. When I rode on the A683 there were loads of bikers tanking up and down it, but it should be okay early on a Sunday morning.

If you go the direct route from High Bentham to Slaidburn it involves going over Tatham Fell. That's a lovely route but it has about 500 m of climbing in only 20 km or so and you'd then have to climb Waddington Fell from the harder side.

I'd recommend that you go: High Bentham, Keasden, Eldroth, right at Low Paley Green, Giggleswick Station, 300 m down the A65 to Gildersleets, Rathmel, Wigglesworth, Holden, Sawley, Grindleton, West Bradford and Waddington.

 

[400bhp]

Kirkby Lonsdale is Motorbike Central. When I rode on the A683 there were loads of bikers tanking up and down it, but it should be okay early on a Sunday morning.

If you go the direct route from High Bentham to Slaidburn it involves going over Tatham Fell. That's a lovely route but it has about 500 m of climbing in only 20 km or so and you'd then have to climb Waddington Fell from the harder side.

I'd recommend that you go: High Bentham, Keasden, Eldroth, right at Low Paley Green, Giggleswick Station, 300 m down the A65 to Gildersleets, Rathmel, Wigglesworth, Holden, Sawley, Grindleton, West Bradford and Waddington.

Fantastic - thanks very much