Distance 16.6 mile
23rd June 2016
Click Here For Route Via Strava
Another delayed start this evening, with Graham being held up in the road works on the M6 but I had a route planned via a new app, Cycle Track GPS which enables you to overlay a route on map on your phone as it tracks you. I felt we could still complete most of this route so I stuck with my plan as we were both keen on going on an adventure because the week earlier we had been in Toulouse on a stag do. Toulouse was wonderful and we had a great time there mingling with the Czechs’ and Spanish who were there for the 2016 Euros
I arranged to meet Graham at the Jaguar garage in Farnworth. I was slightly delayed myself in setting off and Graham was already waiting for me , as I approached I could see he had come in his helmet this week, obviously he had seen sense, as we will see later it was a good decision to wear his cycle helmet.
The route I had planned was to take us to Worsley to the Bridgewater canal and then loop up on our return along the Route 55 cycle path. We began by taking a ride through Farnworth park, somewhere neither of us had visited for around 20 years, what a disappointment it was, the grass was uncut, and a flower bed I remember from my childhood which used to be a blaze of colour was just an overgrown mess, obviously the cut backs had taken effect, the whole park looked tired.
Exiting the park we rode up Albert Road going slightly off the planned route heading to join the Linnyshaw loopline on Worsley Road instead of it’s start on Cleggs lane, this proved to be a bright idea. We arrived at the point where we wanted to join the path only to find it feet deep in water and the tunnel blocked, just as we were pondering what to do, a kind couple stopped and after a short chat , they pointed us in the direction we needed to go to continue our journey along the path. Thanks to their help we were soon on our way again.
We followed Linnyshaw loopline through Blackleach to Moss Lane where we turned right. Here we were both shocked, it used to be a large industrial area but it is covered in new houses a massive transformation. From here we crossed Manchester Road and down Old Clough Lane, crossing the East Lancs towards Worsley along Greenleach Lane, here we found the gate that led us to Route 55 cycle path to continue our adventure. The path was some 20 feet below, down some steps, but we noticed a little path to our left which we thought would lead us down, but it only led to some more steps, Graham decided after descending the first flight of steps he would go down the last bit on the embankment on his bike, this he did skidding to a halt at the bottom. Once safely down we became aware of how nice this track was, lovely surface to ride on and surrounded by fcountryside. We rode along happily chatting away until we arrived at our terminus at it’s junction with Parrin Lane .Our return route took us along the tow path on the Bridgewater canal then along a path that exited at a wonderful thatched cottage on Worsley Road.
Turning right we rode along looking for the entrance back onto Route 55 cycle track, we spotted a sign that took us down Greenleach Lane, where once again we came upon some steps leading down to the path, this time though Graham thought he could ride all the way down the embankment, but he couldn’t, having to stop part way down because it was too steep he nearly went head first over the handle bars only just stopping himself grabbing the handrail. Managing to retain his balance he carefully pushed his bike down, but it could have been a lot worse , so it was a warning to him, always wear your helmet.
The path all be it up a very steady incline took us all the way back to Farnworth emerging at Anchor lane off Highfield Rd. We took a short break on the bridge over the M61 after the long climb, as we rested we discussed our time in Toulouse and then the route we had left to travel, but decided that would have to wait for another day. The sun was beginning to set and we were both hungry and knowing Peggy Lou had meatballs waiting for me , we made the decision to head home, we parted company at Marsh Lane and as usual we arranged to one bell each other to say we were home safe, to ride another adventure.
