Search found 6 matches

by Simmy
23 Oct 2018, 10:07pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Cicerone Route - thoughts a week after finishing
Replies: 13
Views: 5958

Re: Cicerone Route - thoughts a week after finishing

Crossing the Mersey from Birkenhead would be an idea, then up towards Southport, Preston then jump back on A6 to Lancaster.

Another alternative can also avoid Warrington etc.

I can't remember which way the Book sends you towards Runcorn but, basically, you can head North East of Runcorn.

List of Villages :- Stretton ( just north of M56 ) follow B5356 road which runs level with M56 towards Lymm, crossing the M6

B5158 to Lymm

A6144 to Warburton

B5159 to Glazebrook ( Warburton toll bridge - free for bikes )

B5212 to Culcheth

Then turn right towards Leigh onto the previous route.
by Simmy
16 Oct 2018, 10:31pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Cicerone Route - thoughts a week after finishing
Replies: 13
Views: 5958

Re: Cicerone Route - thoughts a week after finishing

Depends if they wanna follow the book by going ahead, or keep it a lot flatter and easier by turning left :wink:
by Simmy
16 Oct 2018, 9:52pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Cicerone Route - thoughts a week after finishing
Replies: 13
Views: 5958

Re: Cicerone Route - thoughts a week after finishing

Regarding the Leigh area, it's not far from me and I've seen quite a few LEJOG riders go wrong ( and I've put them in the correct direction )

The Book sends you from Culcheth into Leigh over the A580 roundabout then, after the Canal bridge, left into town. Out towards Atherton then into Westhoughton. This is where I've seen riders go wrong, they miss the turn to Westhoughton.

If it's OK, I'm going to write the route here with upto date landmarks for reference.

From the left turn at the Canal Bridge, continue past the Police Station, keep left towards Tesco. Pass Tesco towards the Bus Station ( bus lane in middle of road ) at the next traffic lights, there is JR Taxis on the left ( wierd building shaped like a boat ) turn right at those lights.

Continue through the town centre, following for Atherton, passing Kwik Fit. Ahead through the traffic lights, pass Bookers cash and carry, and continue to the next traffic lights at Lovers Lane ( also called Colliers Corner ) where you turn left towards Westhoughton. On this corner is a Wicker Horse ( pit memorial ) and Mr Chan's take away.

Follow for Westhoughton, over the A577 ( masons arms pub on corner ) pass Daisy Hill train station, to the very end of the road, do a left onto the A58 Crickiters Way.

Immediately on Crickiters way, right at first lights onto Mill st. Pass White lion pub, continue ahead, pass Westhoughton high school and continue to the traffic lights at A6 ( white horse pub )

Now this is where you can go differently to the book and take a left onto the A6 all the way towards, Chorley, Preston, Garstsng, Lancaster, Kendal, Shap, Penrith, Carlisle.

The book goes over Belmont and thorough Blackburn so the A6 is an alternate and is a decent road
by Simmy
9 Jul 2018, 10:59pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Cicerone End to End route review
Replies: 32
Views: 9468

Re: Cicerone End to End route review

Just jumping on with some local knowledge about a temporary road closure.

Due to the moorland fires on Winter Hill, part of the normal Cicerone route is closed off for a few days.

It's just outside of Bolton going past the Bob Smithy Inn all the way to Belmont Village. This is on the day the book lists as Runcorn to Slaidburn.

I'm not going to recommend diversion routes as I'm not too sure what they are, sorry, but just thought I'd post in case anyone is on route at the moment.
by Simmy
20 May 2018, 7:08pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Record attempt scheduled
Replies: 1195
Views: 110142

Re: Record attempt scheduled

I love stuff like this.

I live between Wigan and Bolton so I've seen a few attempts as they pass nearby. Chris " hoppo " Hopkinson attempted LEJOGLE a few years ago, James McDonald cracked it with a new record last year. Saw them both pass.

Missed Jasmine's attempt due to timings and it was mid-week so I had to work.

Ian chose a pretty different route though the north west, missing Warrington completely, dropping from Nantwich through the back roads, Culcheth through the middle of Wigan then the usual Preston, Lancaster, Shap etc.

I went out about 11.30 last night to see him pass and I " leapfrogged " him and saw him pass 3 times. I was hoping I'd catch him at some lights and have a quick chat but they were all green......He was about 10-15 mins behind at that point but the night must have caught him as the roads got steeper.

Big respect to get that far in that time. I remember watching Ben Rocketts LEJOGLE on You Tube ( I wasn't into cycling then ) and he took 24 hours to go from Lands End to Lancaster.
by Simmy
19 Dec 2017, 8:40pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: LEJOG A6 Broughton near Preston
Replies: 1
Views: 2349

LEJOG A6 Broughton near Preston

Evening Guys

My first post after being a regular browser of the forum. Please feel free to move this to another part of the forum if it's felt neccasary but I thought I'd post in LEJOG as I know a lot of cyclists use this route.

The A6 seems to be a popular section through Preston. The long awaited bypass has now opened at Broughton, immediately after passing under the M55 motorway. This gets rid of the awful tailbacks at the Crossroads in Broughton village.

Whilst this new road is fantastic for motor traffic, I personally feel it should be avoided whilst cycling. This is due to it being a dual carraigeway and there being no " shoulder " or any space between the left lane and the kerb. The natural cycling position will put you in lane 1.

Obviously this is totally legal but it's up hill and the sight lines are not brilliant. It's also a 40 mph Limit which very few motorists stick to. Most are doing at least 50 >

This is when coming out of Preston. Coming into Preston, from Garstang, the road is single carraigeway with a small " shoulder " so looks really nice to ride on. It's after the roundabout in the middle of the bypass that it changes to dual carraigeway.

I accept some will be happy to cycle on it, but just thought I'd post this as some cyclists who are not local may just be following the A6 and not realise it's been rerouted onto the Bypass recently.

The other option is to stick to what is now being called the " old " A6 through Broughton which is still open but has been reduced to a 20 mph limit and weight restriction to discourage through traffic.

Going north, out of Preston, go under the M55 motorway then keep left.

Coming towards Preston from Garstang there is a roundabout so just go ahead instead of left. The " old " route is clearly visable.