England : Lancashire Whalley-Glasson Dock-Whalley, Sat 8th August, 2026. 103 km

[ColinJ]

I'm keeping half an eye on this but don't in anyway count me in. A couple of things. Can I ask what the expected pace is?

Hi Paul. It would be nice to ride with you, but I have a sneaky suspicion that it won't ever happen! I read your ride reports and it is clear that you like to do a decent pace so I don't think that you are worried that our pace would be too high for you...

I think our highest ever forum ride pace would be slower than your slowest ever group ride!

My fastest ride last year averaged only 21 kmph/13 mph. Typically, hilly routes are 13-16 kmph/8-10 mph. Flat routes more like 18-21 kmph/11-13 mph, and that is moving pace, stops not included.

The outward leg of this ride will be at around the lower speed, and we might have to wait for Paul to walk up the steepest parts of the Trough and Jubilee Tower climbs so it could be slower.

The return leg is more lumpy than hilly so maybe somewhere between those ranges. I would guess about 4 hours to get to Glasson Dock and 3 hours to get back, around 8 hours with stops, mechanical problems excluded.

If you would be content to meander along with us, fine.

I once had a rider come along on the Glasson Dock ride, and he was given an equally detailed breakdown of our projected pace. We did the pace that was promised, but he still started moaning about how slow it was, we might get back after sunset, and he hadn't brought lights. (It was at a different time of year, with a much earlier sunset.) He then announced that he was going on ahead without us, dragging half the riders with him. What happened to our 'no drop' rule? I was not impressed. (When there is a risk of coming back at dusk, I always suggest taking lights.)

A quick comment on trains; it's a 5½ mile nip up the cyclepath to Lancaster station, the train journey is just short of two hours and the cost near £20.

Well, I would call 5.5 miles on a flat cyclepath a 'nip' but I suppose if the only reason that one was heading that way was fatigue, then one might not feel the same way about it!

I did find one train journey that was only 1.5 hours (14:58 - 16:30), but you are right - most are about 2 hours.

The price is £17.20. I had made the mistake of leaving my railcard selected! The price with that is £11.45.

The other thing that I had forgotten is that the train from Lancaster to Preston would be an Avanti West Coast one for which bike reservations are required. I am used to hopping on and off local Northern trains with my bike, no reservations needed or even available.

So, yes... trains would be last resort only!!

Have you considered this as an alternative out of Glasson Dock to join your route on Hollins Lane? This is always our chosen route out of Glassdon Dock, though we keep heading south at the left towards Bay Horse. I just have this hatred of retracing my steps!

I think that I did it once and there was more traffic than I was happy with.

I do generally agree about going back a different way though. I will have a look on Streetview to compare the two.

 

[Pennine-Paul]

Well i went out today and rode 35 miles from Hudds to Bowling Park in Bradford and back,
No problems with feet so should be good for the ride.

 

[ColinJ]

I will have to confirm the time with Bill but I am thinking about meeting at Spring Wood car park at around 09:20 with a view to setting off at 09:30. I will let you know by Friday evening.

The Met Office forecast is currently that it will be mild, breezy, and with a chance of light showers, so not too bad. I will wear my gilet and carry a light rain jacket just in case.

Does anyone else fancy joining us for our relaxed, scenic, lumpy Lancashire loop?

 

[albion]

Too far out the way for me, though no doubt will be visiting for a day ride September.
The bacon sarnies at Glasson Deli are well worth a ride for.

 

[ColinJ]

The bacon sarnies at Glasson Deli are well worth a ride for.

42 years too late for me - my last one was in 1984!