Here's a quick overview of the ride and route:-
We'll leave central Manchester from Albert Square in front of the town hall to ride to Bury along the surprisingly empty Bury Old Road.
After Bury there's a climb up through Tottington before a series of dips (three in total) take us to Edgworth where the longest climb of the ride starts.
It's not steep but it goes on. You'll know we're on the tops when you see the poles that guide the snow ploughs. If we can't see those poles we're in big trouble.
The reward for the climbing is a lovely descent on the Grane Road to Shadsworth. It's not a pleasant road during the day but it's delightful at 02.00.
The McDonalds in Whitebirk is a McDonalds; it does the job and sets us up for a brief spell of suburbia before another great descent, this time into Ribchester. I've always wished for better lights going down here in the past.
What goes down must go up: Ribchester to Longridge is another long climb and the steepest bit is at the end.
After that, we're in the undulating lanes to the West of the Bowland Hills before we cross the A6 and, if the weather has been dry, we'll hop onto the bike path along the Lune at Conder Green.
Morecambe is reached along a very direct bike path from Lancaster before we retrace our steps for breakfast at the Wetherspoons in Lancaster. It's conveniently located for the train station.
Time for a list I think:-
Confirmed and probables:-
Adrian C
Andrew Br
Andrew Bu
Barry M
Charlie B
Darrell W
Eddie C
Jonathan B
K Green
Kim W
Lisa C
Nasir M
Sonia W
Stu A
Yoav T
Possibles:-
Christine E
ETA: If you haven't sent me registration info (CTC/BC, mobile and next of kin numbers a well as next of kin's name), please do so.
I estimate arrival in Morecambe at 08.00 and we'll be back in Lancaster before 09.00.
It's also worth noting that Guinness is a marvellous breakfast drink. I have wanda2010 to thank for this discovery
