Friday night post-work bike date

I've been meaning to head up to The Halo during the evening for a while now. It's a panopticon which lights up its tiny blue l.e.d.s every night to resemble a UFO that landed on a hill over Haslingden.  Last night we finally made it.

Working on the outskirts of Rossendale means you're never far from hills and bridleways, so after work S & I pedalled from one side of the valley to the other for a pub tea at The Whitchaff.

We followed the NCN6 before climbing a stoney track from Irwell Vale. As we stopped to take some photos, a mountain biker passed us with a big smile, a great track to be riding on, but possibly also amusement that I was in my work clothes tackling the off road - pencil dress & heels.

I knew the route back would involve some serious climbing, but still polished off a huge plate of enchilladas & wedges. I was very full. 

The approach to the Halo was pretty dramatic as we snaked up Cribden side.
Sadly the sunset wasnt up to as much as we'd hoped, but it was still great to be up there.

13.5 roller-coaster miles, which for an evening ride with dinner in between was just right. 

Spicing up the working week

The new route home from work is amazing. Off road, right over the hill. It takes a little longer than by road, but I have sheep instead of cars to contend with (for the most part), beautiful views and the countryside to myself.

The King's Highway

It's 32 miles as the crow flies from this point to the coast, but you can see the sea & Blackpool tower as you climb the hill.



It's a rough old track up to the summit of Great Hameldon, beautiful views down the Rossendale Valley and over Clowbridge Reservoir. From this point it's 3 miles to descent 885feet to my front door (that's a good downhill). 

I love freewheeling downhill - I imagine it's what it must feel like when a dog sticks its head out of a car window as it zooms along.

I'm looking forward to trying this out in different seasons, though not sure it will be a viable commute in the ice or when the days are short (but I'm going to try!)

Winter is hanging on tight

This time last year we had a heatwave, in fact March was our summer.  But I think this year I'm hardier than I have been before. The cold conditions have not kept me off my bike or away from the hills. I must be living up to the tradition of the Rough Stuff Fellowship ahead of my appointment as Lancs Area Secretary - which I think means I can't chicken out on rides when the weather is bobbins.

Blacko Tower from Clarion House

For those people at work who said that I have a 'healthy glow' this week - it's just wind-burn from cycling & walking in minus conditions with wind speeds in the 30s and gusts in the 40s.






Two Rough Stuff rides, two hill walks and some grotty commutes have kept me in check this week. I have been toying with the idea of aiming for some Audax achievements this year, so I'm getting myself in gear.

Last week I took a day off to play in the hills over Rossendale & Bury, discovering bridleways I didn't know about before. From up so high you can see the weather coming in to get you! We got lucky only had a short bust of snow.

Spring had threatened to spring early this week...












But that all changed... 

Entwistle

Newchurch in Pendle

 It does make for lovely scenery though.

Pendle Hill

Descent to Downham

Whalley Nab, Waddington Fell & Clitheroe Castle

Autumn Calling

Happily jet lag and still being out of sync with UK time means that I've been up and about pre-sunrise all weekend. And since I'm taking part in the coffeeneuring challenge what better reason to start peddling than to go get some bilberry pie for breakfast. The only place that serves a great bilberry pie and a coffee that I know of is in Walmesley, Bury so I set off for a 30 mile ride wrapped up well, knowing that the mist would be very cold.

It did not disappoint - jewels of mist crystalised on my eyelashes and by the time I got to my coffee / breakfast stop (40 minutes earlier than anticipated - probably due to peddling hard to keep warm, mixed with totally empty roads & my over enthusiasm for some pie) my bicycle was covered in damp.



After two coffees and an extended time warming my hands under the drier, I set off to join my favourite bit of the NCN6 and hoped that the heavy mist would start to clear so I could see the beautiful hills.

River Irwell at Ramsbottom

The pictures say more than I ever could in words about why mornings like these are my favourite. 

track between Irwell Vale & Holcombe

Musbury Torr

Leeds Liverpool canal

Coming back from holidays to weather like this certainly helps with the pain of knowing you're about to go back to work. Hopefully it will stay rain free for a little while, ideally I'd like my bday ride to be like this.

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=469255

Ride Recon

After moving offices the other month, I've discovered some amazing views that I feel I should share with some of my fellow Rough Stuff riders.  So after some map deliberation, yesterday we set off to do an initial trail run of the route I'd mapped out.

I've never lead a group ride before, and I've realised that there are lots of things to take into consideration when inflicting your own riding plans on others. Usually it's just S & myself so if things are far too hard it doesn't matter so much.  I will be giving the ride some thinking over - some bits I wasn't happy with seem impossible to avoid to get to the really juicy bits.  I guess that's par for the course when planning a group ride tho. But S was very positive about the ride on the whole, so perhaps I shouldn't over think the problem bits.  I also still need to really think about the cafe stops. This is actually quite head scratchy. Especially when it's areas that are new to me too.

Clearly good bike riding territory!! Are you worried yet?

A whole geographical black spot has been filled in, in my head after the ride. Exploring new areas in my region is always exciting.
And we also found a fun bmx area in the middle of nowhere :-)

Winter Hill & Hoddleston Res in the distance

The firing range. Peel Tower up and Manchester below

The ride had a balanced amount of on & off road, and the off road bits were really good fun!

River Irwell. Giving my bike a breather

NCN6 in Rossendale

Musbury Tor

Helmshore Textiles Museum.  Well worth a visit too. Old & modern history of textiles in the North West

weeeeeeeeeeeee

there was lots of colourful nature on this ride too

We did beat these rain clouds back home!!

Friday Commute Home

A stunning Friday, the sun beaming down, itching to get out of work I decided to ride home the long way :-) a perfect start to my weekend & powering up the hills is an ideal way to get shut of the working week too.

Up, up, up and onto the tops.

Towards Haslingden Halo

a very bumpy ride!