17th August 2017
Journey Length 12.5 ml
Click Here For Route Via Ride with GPS
Eventually after 4 weeks without an adventure, due to myself damaging my calf muscle, unbelievably not from extreme biking but doing the Dad run in the rain. Also Peggy Lou and myself had been on holiday to Scotland in Mable (our little caravan) but now we were finally back out on the bike’s.
We chose one of our pre arranged rendezvous sites and met there. A quick catch up, an enquiry about my injury and a breather for Graham, we discussed where to go, as my leg was still not completely mended we ummed and arrrd then agreed we would head towards Jumbles reservoir getting as far as we could dependant on how my leg felt.
We set off at a leisurely pace through Leverhulme park to cut through 7 acres just as we reached the small path near bury road it was nearly over before it had begun, a black cat ran in front of me missing my front wheel by inches, but miss it did and on we went. Thinking this was our good luck charm .Across Bury Rd, where does all that bloody traffic come from ? . Now we were through 7 acres and heading up towards Crompton way up Firwood Fold an idyllic little spot hidden away from the main Rd.
At the traffic lights at the castle pub we turned right up Tonge Moor Rd onto Bradshaw brow, this was a steady climb but not too hard even with my injured leg .Once we got to Chapletown Rd though it all changed here the road becomes quite steep and both Graham and myself found it hard going after our extended break. Slowly but surely we made progress to the top and soon we were at the king William pub on a downhill bit of the ride, stopping here for a moment we looked down the hill and thought what we go down we have to come up, but as this was our first adventure for a while we carried on regardless. Under the bridge and turning right down Horobin lane a cobbled lane that bounced us everywhere.
Soon we were at the reservoir next to the sailing club
Now Graham had never been here before so I gave him a bit of an heads up as we turned right towards the bottom end of the reservoir down Grange lane , where there are some quite posh houses and as Graham noticed peering over a fence they even had tennis courts. Part way down we turned into the path that leads around the reservoir itself, enjoying the steep down hill tracks wheeeeing down as we went.
After this enjoyment we crossed the bridge over Bradshaw brook at the base of the reservoir and now had to push our bikes up the steep hill at the other side, once at the top we entered the main car park, exiting on the far side we emerged into the bright sunshine on the far side of the reservoir passing the park cafe. Shortly after we stopped off on a small bridge to take in the view and have a chat about what we’d both been up to, myself a little more than Graham.
As the sun began to descend over the tops of the hills we set off on our journey home, satisfied with ourselves we had made it and pleased we had made the right decision to come here. Riding around we were confronted with some not right flying around on a chicken chaser shouting to us “ do you know you cant ride around here after this month blahh blahh blahh” I just ignored him but Graham being Graham acknowledged him until he said “tell your mate as well” where Graham replied “ haven’t got any mates me pal” . Now I know that’s not true pal, don’t I.
Now as I had been here on numerous occasions I was leading and Graham was confidently following , but we soon realised it looked too familiar and we had been here before, I had missed the turning at the sailing club.
Now back on Chapletown Rd we started up the steep incline, now a little tired after our adventure, but undeterred we made it to the top, stopping to get our breath back before enjoying the down hill ride back into Bolton at some points reaching over 30mph. Once back in Bolton we went along Crompton way up to Bury Rd and cut once again through Leverhulme park. We parted company at the rendezvous point were we had met both of us remarking on how much we had enjoyed our evenings adventure, so until next time.
