Manchester to Blackpool return transport options

[tomplodder]

Hi
I want to do the Manchester to Blackpool ride this coming Sunday, but not sure how I can get back to Manchester after I finish.
I rode this two years ago and raised money for christies then did it last year again and raised money for stroke cause, both times a relative kindly brought me home, but I want to try and make my own way home this time so can you please tell me the return transport options, thanks

 

[I like Skol]

How about pedalling the old push-iron?

 

[tomplodder]

I'm not that fit to be honest

 

[smokeysmoo]

The organisers have a return option but IIRC it's pricey and your risking your bike as it gets piled in with all the other bikes.

You could check out the train options but I seem to recall they wouldn't let bikes on the trains from Blackpool, buy I could be wrong.

Or you might get a kindly CC'er who could oblige with transport, or a kindly CC'er who'd be happy for you to tag along with them riding back.

 

[vickster]

Train? Get someone else to pick you up?

 

[I like Skol]

AFAIK trains are off limits for that day, so don't even think about trying your luck or ridding a couple of stops along the line and risking it, it won't work.

 

[Welsh wheels]

Get a family member or friend to come pick you up?

 

[mjr]

I was told by a friend that Northern who run those trains are having a strike this coming Sat,Sun and Monday so you will either have to ride back or get a lift or not do it.

https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/industrial-action and it's a clusterfark. Nearest station with another operator is Preston and that might only be Virgin West Coast who require reservations and TPE who claim only two spaces per train and recommend reservations.

 

[classic33]

I was told by a friend that Northern who run those trains are having a strike this coming Sat,Sun and Monday so you will either have to ride back or get a lift or not do it.

Northern site shows the 8th July.

 

[classic33]

https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/industrial-action and it's a clusterfark. Nearest station with another operator is Preston and that might only be Virgin West Coast who require reservations and TPE who claim only two spaces per train and recommend reservations.

First TPE is a no-go for bikes on Sunday.

 

[tomplodder]

Hi, thanks everyone for your kind advice, looks like there are not too many options so i will have a think

 

[ColinJ]

How about pedalling the old push-iron?

That's what I was going to suggest ...

When I did it in 2004, I rode to Manchester from Hebden Bridge (25 miles), then rode Manchester-Blackpool (~60 miles) and finally rode home (53 miles). It was a pretty tiring 138 mile day and one of my longest rides ever.

 

[vickster]

Hi, thanks everyone for your kind advice, looks like there are not too many options so i will have a think

Stay in a cheap B&B, overnight recovery and ride back on Monday (or get a lift )

 

[mjr]

Ask on the facebook site for the event and say you will share petrol money. Whatever you do dont just be offering a fiver or so be generous.

^^ This is a good idea. Our car rack actually takes one more bike than we really need partly so we can help others out in this sort of situation (and partly because two touring bikes are over the weight capacity of most two-bike racks but they've never been on there yet ).

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I'm not that fit to be honest

You don't need to be that fit. Take your time, stop somewhere to have a break and eat and you'll be fine. You may only need to cycle to somewhere where you can get the train if you don't want to cycle it all.