Rainford By-Pass (off East Lancs Rd).........anyone done this route ?

[Dave7]

As a complete change for me I decided to go from my house (Warrington)........along the East Lanc's Road cycle path and then some of the Rainford By-Pass cycle path.
I didn't realise the Rainford By-Pass was so far away (15 miles) so ran out of time and at that point had to turn back.
I am going to have another go.
Does anyone have any idea how far the cycle path goes along the Rainford By-Pass or what the cycling will be like ?
At 15 miles from my house I only need another 10 but would like to enjoy it

 

[Inertia]

I live there but I haven't been along it recently, it goes the whole length of the bypass on both sides except for a short period on the Rainford side.

If you are coming up from St Helens and are in the left hand cycle path then there is no break at all except for side roads. Its mostly farmland, even passing Rainford; most of the village is away from the Bypass. Its very popular for Time trials in the evenings and I guess its quite a nice ride but as I live there, maybe I don't appreciate it. There is a lot of good cycling in the surrounding area though as there is a lot of open countryside. You could also stop at the Bottle and Glass for refueling as its a nice view from up there.

Oh and if you are a mountain biker there is a course at the far end of the bypass.

 

[Sharky]

As said, it goes all the way. In the 60's it was so badly maintained that we never used it. But in recent years its in very good condition.

Although I live in Kent now, I used to live in Prescot and often rode in the area.

Try a detour to Crank and Billinge Bump

 

[Lancsman]

There is some good cycling to had around that area. I assume you are travelling East to West along the East Lancs road? If that is the case you could turn right off the Rainford by pass and as Sharky says go up Crank hill, over Billinge Hill and loop back down to the East lancs at Car Mill. That would add 10 or so miles on. There are so many routes and loops to use off the by pass. I lived in St Helens for 49 years and thinking about routes for you is making me feel quite homesick.

 

[Dave7]

I live there but I haven't been along it recently, it goes the whole length of the bypass on both sides except for a short period on the Rainford side.

If you are coming up from St Helens and are in the left hand cycle path then there is no break at all except for side roads. Its mostly farmland, even passing Rainford; most of the village is away from the Bypass. Its very popular for Time trials in the evenings and I guess its quite a nice ride but as I live there, maybe I don't appreciate it. There is a lot of good cycling in the surrounding area though as there is a lot of open countryside. You could also stop at the Bottle and Glass for refueling as its a nice view from up there.

Oh and if you are a mountain biker there is a course at the far end of the bypass.

Thanks for that.
I went up the right side (from St Helens direction).
I will use the left hand side next time.
So...........approx. how far from the East Lancs does the cycle path go ?

 

[Dave7]

As said, it goes all the way.

Try a detour to Crank and Billinge Bump

How far is "all the way" ?

Crank and Billinge Bump ??? is that a real name ??

 

[Dave7]

There is some good cycling to had around that area. I assume you are travelling East to West along the East Lancs road? If that is the case you could turn right off the Rainford by pass and as Sharky says go up Crank hill, over Billinge Hill and loop back down to the East lancs at Car Mill. That would add 10 or so miles on. There are so many routes and loops to use off the by pass. I lived in St Helens for 49 years and thinking about routes for you is making me feel quite homesick.

Sounds good.
I joined the East Lancs at Lowton so turned left onto the bypass and went up the right hand side as far as the North West National golf course (changed names now)
Is it all ok for a road bike ?
So...............if I am travelling down the bypass------what/where is Crank Hill ?
Is it easy to find the loop you mention ?

 

[Inertia]

Thanks for that.
I went up the right side (from St Helens direction).
I will use the left hand side next time.
So...........approx. how far from the East Lancs does the cycle path go ?

Well the cycle path is the full length of the bypass which is approx 5 miles, don't turn left as you will end up on the M58

 

[Dave7]

Well the cycle path is the full length of the bypass which is approx 5 miles, don't turn left as you will end up on the M58

Thanks...............that sounds good as it will give me 40 miles which is my norm in the summer.

 

[Inertia]

Sounds good.
I joined the East Lancs at Lowton so turned left onto the bypass and went up the right hand side as far as the North West National golf course (changed names now)
Is it all ok for a road bike ?
So...............if I am travelling down the bypass------what/where is Crank Hill ?
Is it easy to find the loop you mention ?

Im assuming Lancsman means something like this, you would turn off the bypass pretty much as you join it from Windle Island. Billinge Hill is a decent climb though there are bigger in the area if you like that sort of thing.

 

[Sharky]

How far is "all the way" ?

Crank and Billinge Bump ??? is that a real name ??

Crank is real - a great name for a cyclist.

Bump or Lump, I think is the name locals use for Billinge hill.
There was an earlier thread about Billinge
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/billinge-bump-or-lump-or-hill.187887/

Billinge Hill is a great climb. Not the steepest or longest, but rising out of the flat plains of Lancashire, it takes you by surprise. Just when your lungs are screaming and your legs are on fire, you go round the bend and the road goes up.

 

[Lancsman]

Billinge Hill is a great climb. Not the steepest or longest, but rising out of the flat plains of Lancashire, it takes you by surprise. Just when your lungs are screaming and your legs are on fire, you go round the bend and the road goes up.

It really is worth the effort though. Excellent views , on a clear day you can see the hills of North wales. I have always known the climb from this side of the lump as Shirley brow some call it Shelly brow. You could always go and do the Rainford TT course if you keep going along the by-pass http://www.timetrialcourses.co.uk/course/d10_1

 

[Lancsman]

Is it all ok for a road bike ?

Is it easy to find the loop you mention ?

It is all fine for a road bike Dave, and to find Crank hill just follw signs for Fairfield Hospital

 

[Sharky]

Yep, its a great 10 course. My pb was done on that course when it started in Blind Foot Lane.

 

[clockworksimon]

I work near St Helens so drive the by-pass quite often. The countryside along the road is very flat and open with few hedges. Very exposed if it's windy. Concur with suggestions about incorporating Billinge hill.

Am a little bemused though about why you would want to ride so far out of Warrington to do a cycle path along a fast dual carriageway? However lots of things are worth trying once I suppose!

Have you ridden along the Trans Pennine Trail to see the new Runcorn Bridge and beyond? In nice weather this is surprisingly scenic and even spectacular!