Blackpool at five in the morning can be quite exciting. I'm surprised my attacker was still up for it though - we'd just seen him punch a car window with considerable force. Happily his aim was no steadier than his walking, and his fist just brushed my shoulder,
FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast April 15th Manchester to Blackpool 2011
- Thread starter dellzeqq
- Start date
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Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Thank goodness for that. I thought for a moment it was someone with a sensible motive.
We’ve run the recce rides (thanks to Andrew, Paul and Ben for their help), and come to the only conclusion possible. Lancashire has hills. Happily we’re not going over all of them, but, rather, a select few.
Here’s what lies ahead of you.......
We’ll meet at the Albert Memorial on the north side of the Town Hall, opposite Brazenose Street. We’ll then go on to Deansgate, which turns in to the A56, and we’ll take this road all the way to Bury (8.7 miles). There are some long, steady hauls up along the A56, and some of you will find it hard work. We’ve got a route through the centre of Bury that gives us a flavour of the nightlife, and then we go over the hills to Blackburn (Bury to Blackburn 14.0 miles). It’s this stretch that will prove the most challenging – there are three, or perhaps four hills that are ‘walkers’, but the real test is the four mile long drag out of Bury up to Tottington which takes us up to about 750 feet above sea level. The ensuing sharp ups and downs have bigger ups than downs, so by the time we get to Haddock’s Height overlooking Darwen, we’ll be at 1040 feet above sea level. The view is all the more wonderful for being earned. The descents have got to be taken slowly, and the final descent in to Blackburn town centre needs to be taken with great care – or, at least, more care than I took.
The stretch from Blackburn to Ribchester (7.0 miles) is nothing like as tough. There’s a gentle (if dull) climb up to Wilpshire, followed by a glorious long, smooth descent to the Ribble Valley which takes us over a charming stone bridge. The road in to Ribchester is pan-flat, and it’s there that we’ll be stopping for refreshments. The owner of the Carmen Rose is expecting us at about four o’clock.
There remains one steady long drag up to Longbridge which is 460 feet above sea level, but other than this the road from Ribchester to Blackpool (25.2 miles) is pretty flat. We follow the same road for miles and miles.
A good deal of the route is lit, but you are going to need your lights at full strength for some of the unlit bits, particularly the one-in-six descent with no road markings and a tight bend at the bottom (followed by an equally unlit one-in-seven ascent). The traffic will be minimal – Andrew and I rode for almost an hour without seeing a car on Friday night, and the road to Bury was almost empty. If you know this part of the world you’ll know that it’s pretty suburban – like the route to Brighton it’s a far, far nicer night ride than it is a day ride. You will need your brakes to be in tip-top condition, and do please check your wheels – some of the road surfaces are poor. Do please go through the signals page on the blog http://fnrttc.blogspot.com/ - if you shout ‘hole’ less than fifty times on the night then you’ve missed a few.
And now, on a more prosaic but no less essential note....there’s a superloo at the junction of John Dalton Street and Deansgate in central Manchester. We can stop at the 24 hourTesco in Prestwich if you feel the need, and at the 24 hour Asda on the way in to Blackburn. As ever we’ll have Tail End Charlies (feel free to volunteer) and wayfinders, although the simplicity of the route means that there’s far less call for this than usual. Andrew and I have worked out the stopping places, and while there’s one junction we’ll talk to you about on the night, by comparison with the London routes it’s all a bit easy-peasy.
We rode to Blackpool in under five hours on Friday night, and that included a half hour wait for a thunderstorm to blow over, (and an inspection of the toilets at Tescos in Prestwich which received three stars). Some of you are going to find the hills hard work, and we are expecting some walking. Get rid of any surplus weight on the bike, but do bring something to keep the rain out. Bear in mind that one of us will be riding a bike that weighs 15 pounds including lights and toolkit. Forget cake – nobody’s going to starve on this ride, it’s not long enough. If you’re a speedy cyclist then you’ll be waiting around from time to time so dress accordingly. We think that the trip on the night will take about eight hours including stops.
I’ll arrive at Piccadilly station at 23.11 and go straight to the Albert Memorial. If we’re all there by about 23.35 we’ll set off, but please don’t turn up later than about 23.45. My telephone number is 07776 210 731 – call if you’re delayed.
I hope this hasn’t put you off. It’s going to be a bit of an adventure. We’ll have a competition to see who spots the Blackpool tower first, although Andrew is confident of winning. There will be bungalows, but not many. If you haven’t been to Manchester for a while you’ll find it’s changed. Bury and Blackburn have their virtues (the snooker hall in Bury is a neglected masterpiece, Ribchester is sweet and to live a life without seeing the Blackpool Tower would be sad. If the sky is clear then the views from the top will be sensational. If it rains then we’ll have ‘FNRttC Manchester to Blackpool – I survived’ badges printed. See you on the 15th.
Simon
Here’s what lies ahead of you.......
We’ll meet at the Albert Memorial on the north side of the Town Hall, opposite Brazenose Street. We’ll then go on to Deansgate, which turns in to the A56, and we’ll take this road all the way to Bury (8.7 miles). There are some long, steady hauls up along the A56, and some of you will find it hard work. We’ve got a route through the centre of Bury that gives us a flavour of the nightlife, and then we go over the hills to Blackburn (Bury to Blackburn 14.0 miles). It’s this stretch that will prove the most challenging – there are three, or perhaps four hills that are ‘walkers’, but the real test is the four mile long drag out of Bury up to Tottington which takes us up to about 750 feet above sea level. The ensuing sharp ups and downs have bigger ups than downs, so by the time we get to Haddock’s Height overlooking Darwen, we’ll be at 1040 feet above sea level. The view is all the more wonderful for being earned. The descents have got to be taken slowly, and the final descent in to Blackburn town centre needs to be taken with great care – or, at least, more care than I took.
The stretch from Blackburn to Ribchester (7.0 miles) is nothing like as tough. There’s a gentle (if dull) climb up to Wilpshire, followed by a glorious long, smooth descent to the Ribble Valley which takes us over a charming stone bridge. The road in to Ribchester is pan-flat, and it’s there that we’ll be stopping for refreshments. The owner of the Carmen Rose is expecting us at about four o’clock.
There remains one steady long drag up to Longbridge which is 460 feet above sea level, but other than this the road from Ribchester to Blackpool (25.2 miles) is pretty flat. We follow the same road for miles and miles.
A good deal of the route is lit, but you are going to need your lights at full strength for some of the unlit bits, particularly the one-in-six descent with no road markings and a tight bend at the bottom (followed by an equally unlit one-in-seven ascent). The traffic will be minimal – Andrew and I rode for almost an hour without seeing a car on Friday night, and the road to Bury was almost empty. If you know this part of the world you’ll know that it’s pretty suburban – like the route to Brighton it’s a far, far nicer night ride than it is a day ride. You will need your brakes to be in tip-top condition, and do please check your wheels – some of the road surfaces are poor. Do please go through the signals page on the blog http://fnrttc.blogspot.com/ - if you shout ‘hole’ less than fifty times on the night then you’ve missed a few.
And now, on a more prosaic but no less essential note....there’s a superloo at the junction of John Dalton Street and Deansgate in central Manchester. We can stop at the 24 hourTesco in Prestwich if you feel the need, and at the 24 hour Asda on the way in to Blackburn. As ever we’ll have Tail End Charlies (feel free to volunteer) and wayfinders, although the simplicity of the route means that there’s far less call for this than usual. Andrew and I have worked out the stopping places, and while there’s one junction we’ll talk to you about on the night, by comparison with the London routes it’s all a bit easy-peasy.
We rode to Blackpool in under five hours on Friday night, and that included a half hour wait for a thunderstorm to blow over, (and an inspection of the toilets at Tescos in Prestwich which received three stars). Some of you are going to find the hills hard work, and we are expecting some walking. Get rid of any surplus weight on the bike, but do bring something to keep the rain out. Bear in mind that one of us will be riding a bike that weighs 15 pounds including lights and toolkit. Forget cake – nobody’s going to starve on this ride, it’s not long enough. If you’re a speedy cyclist then you’ll be waiting around from time to time so dress accordingly. We think that the trip on the night will take about eight hours including stops.
I’ll arrive at Piccadilly station at 23.11 and go straight to the Albert Memorial. If we’re all there by about 23.35 we’ll set off, but please don’t turn up later than about 23.45. My telephone number is 07776 210 731 – call if you’re delayed.
I hope this hasn’t put you off. It’s going to be a bit of an adventure. We’ll have a competition to see who spots the Blackpool tower first, although Andrew is confident of winning. There will be bungalows, but not many. If you haven’t been to Manchester for a while you’ll find it’s changed. Bury and Blackburn have their virtues (the snooker hall in Bury is a neglected masterpiece, Ribchester is sweet and to live a life without seeing the Blackpool Tower would be sad. If the sky is clear then the views from the top will be sensational. If it rains then we’ll have ‘FNRttC Manchester to Blackpool – I survived’ badges printed. See you on the 15th.
Simon
Andrew Br
Still part of the team !
- Location
- Chorlton Cum Hardy
Andrew Br
Still part of the team !
- Location
- Chorlton Cum Hardy
Despite your ailments you were still having to wait for me at the top of all the rises.
You'd be entitled to ask, since I grew up around there, why am I not better on hills ?
I am slightly in awe of your organisational skills:-
The section beyond Longridge was magical and, if it's a clear night on the 15th/16th, the train of red LEDs along there will be quite spectacular.
I've got to ask how the bike is. Did any damage come to light after it was crushed by my battle-cruiser ?
I've been feeling guilty about it since I was the one who did up the strap.
You'd be entitled to ask, since I grew up around there, why am I not better on hills ?
I am slightly in awe of your organisational skills:-
- 20mph tail wind- Check
- empty roads- Check
- awesome lightning show- Check
- cosy bus shelter 100m after the rain started- Check
- arrival in Blackpool 20 min before the 1st train leaves- Check
The section beyond Longridge was magical and, if it's a clear night on the 15th/16th, the train of red LEDs along there will be quite spectacular.
I've got to ask how the bike is. Did any damage come to light after it was crushed by my battle-cruiser ?
I've been feeling guilty about it since I was the one who did up the strap.
I'm pretty sure the bike if fine. If not, a manilla envelope will be winging your way soon.
If you're going on about organisational skills, then you might have mentioned that the wind moderated the instant we turned westward (if memory serves we were in Blackburn at 2 am, and that was after taking a quarter of an hour out at Tescos). That, my friend, took a lot of arranging. I had, for instance, to promise the Gods that you would forsake mudguards. Thor's little lightshow was a reminder. Next time he won't be so easygoing with the electrical stuff.
I spent three and a half hours in Piccadilly Station - the caff we looked at wasn't all that. I'd been there a couple of hours and this copper comes up to me
'Excuse me Sir'
'Hello' (thinks - will I have to take bike apart to prove absence of explosives?)
'nice bike'
'yes' (thinks - if he rings Dauphinsports will they have a record of the frame number?)
'I saved up and got a Giant myself, but that is a really nice bike'
'It was that or the kitchen'
'Ha-ha. Ha. Do you think the difference is worth it?'
'Yes, very much so'.
'Ah. Yes. Nice bike. Good luck'.
If you're going on about organisational skills, then you might have mentioned that the wind moderated the instant we turned westward (if memory serves we were in Blackburn at 2 am, and that was after taking a quarter of an hour out at Tescos). That, my friend, took a lot of arranging. I had, for instance, to promise the Gods that you would forsake mudguards. Thor's little lightshow was a reminder. Next time he won't be so easygoing with the electrical stuff.
I spent three and a half hours in Piccadilly Station - the caff we looked at wasn't all that. I'd been there a couple of hours and this copper comes up to me
'Excuse me Sir'
'Hello' (thinks - will I have to take bike apart to prove absence of explosives?)
'nice bike'
'yes' (thinks - if he rings Dauphinsports will they have a record of the frame number?)
'I saved up and got a Giant myself, but that is a really nice bike'
'It was that or the kitchen'
'Ha-ha. Ha. Do you think the difference is worth it?'
'Yes, very much so'.
'Ah. Yes. Nice bike. Good luck'.
Andrew Br
Still part of the team !
- Location
- Chorlton Cum Hardy
Out of my cold, dead hands.
Actually, if there's a miracle and Enigma only take 4x longer than they said to get me my bike back (as opposed to several orders of magnitude longer) ,I might not have guards.
And the other bike weighs 7kg less than the battlecruise....................
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Kitchens and mudguards running neck and neck then. One has a splashback, the other doesn't.
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Well... nonsense it is, but Franke taps come pre-buffed, doors are made to Shutt properly, and there's no need to make a Miele out of it.
I suppose this represents some kind of a record. Well, done. 'Teef. You've got me in stitches.
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Did you scroll down and see the Iraq montage?
Globalti
Legendary Member
Dell, have you ever considered using walkie-talkies to keep the lead rider in touch with the lanterne rouge? We sometimes use them on MTB rides and they're pretty useful if somebody punctures, especially at night. They have a range of a couple of kms. They come with a clip that's the same as a Nokia phone belt clip so you can attach them to a shoulder strap, then it's simple to squeeze the PTT button and talk. Any number can be operated on the same frequency. I'm hoping to absent myself from the office "do" on Friday evening as it's a few yards from the town hall and I can nip over and see you all off so I could bring them along if you wanted to try them.
