I had been thinking of it but did my February metric century last Monday instead.
I have done the ride in the past though and can give you a few tips ...
The route has 3 main climbs, none of which is a leg-breaker. The first and third are more significant than the second, which does go up to over 290 metres but it drags up for a long distance to get there.
The first third of the route is very easy. That is the 40 km to Barrowford. Nothing more than gentle undulations which will give you a good warm-up.
The 6 km climb from Barrowford up the A682 through Blacko is more significant but just pace yourself and you should be okay. Watch the traffic on that road - it is a lovely road but it wasn't designed for the amount of traffic it can get and how fast a lot of people drive. There are blind dips/summits and blind bends, and the road is not that wide in places. It has a pretty poor accident record; in fact, a rider got forced off the road by a farmer towing a cattle trailer the first year that I rode the event - keep your wits about you!
The summit is at 45 km and then there is a really nice section round to Whalley with a stop at Country Kitchen cafe in Waddington, where many of my forum rides call in. It consists of mainly downhill or flattish roads for 33 km, with a few short, steep little rises on the way.
From Whalley, you begin the second main climb, a long drag up to Oswaldtwistle Moor, punctuated by a quick descent of the A6119 on the eastern flanks of Blackburn.
That descent takes you towards the humungous motorway roundabout at Whitebirk. If you are confident on HUGE roundabouts,go for it! A local showed me an alternative which I always take. There is a big Mercedes showroom to the right. Take a right at the traffic lights and go round to the other side of the showrooms by following Whitebirk Drive. As the Drive bears round to the right and becomes Blakewater Road go straight on instead down the dead end Davies Rd. That is tatty and usually has a few cars parked up there. Watch out for debris scattered about. The road is blocked off at the end. Proceed between the bollards and go down about 5 yards of footpath which brings you out on a small roundabout on the other side of the monster roundabout. Go round that one and turn up the A6119 after McDonalds.
Now do the second half of the drag up to the moor. After that, there is a great descent to Haslingden.
I almost took the wrong exit on the roundabout on the far side of Haslingden and would have headed for the M66 ... make sure you take the exit for Edenfield!
After Edenfield there is the climb to Owd Betts at Knowl Moor. Looking at the numbers, it shouldn't feel too hard (only averaging about 3%) but it seemed to go on a long way the first time that I did it.
Enjoy the speedy run down into Rochdale from there and soon you will be back to event HQ for the pie and peas!
I would describe it as a 'moderately hilly' route. If you pace yourself and eat and drink enough then you should be fine. It would probably be wise to take it steady to Barrowford though and not get tired trying to keep up with faster riders - save your energy for the climb!
If you want to get an imperial century in then you will have to find another 20 km or so on top of the ride to and from Heywood. I reckon you'd be on no more than 140 km rather than the 161 km that you need.
Anyway - have fun!
. Say Hi if you see me - I'll be in the blue/black/pink B'Twin jacket on a black carbon 
