I'm thinking of doing my first long(ish) day ride this week, and I live by a section of the trans pennine trail (in Salford), and I'm going to do the distance to Liverpool (hoping to achieve it in under 8 hours, being generous with time on this one).
Anyway, bearing in mind I'm quite new to cycling to anything over 5 or 6 miles (used to do a 12 mile round trip to work, but it was split into 2 legs of 6 hours, and each journey was separated by about 8 hour shifts, and was all downhill on the way home), can anyone recommend what I'd need for the trip other than what I've got (puncture repair, water for drinking, that's it lol), and whether they think it's possible for me?
EDIT: If they don't think it's the best route, can anyone suggest an alternative Manchester - Liverpool route for cycling, avoiding major roads, but not going too far from civilisation, so I can always go into a pub along the way if I get tired?
Also, my bike is one from when I was in school (but still fits me fine), and it's a Barracuda Predator. I can't find any information on this bike, so I don't know what any of the components are, so I don't know what to ask for in a bike shop if I want to replace anything (such as chain length, tire size, brake pads, etc). Does anyone know where I could find this information?
Trans pennine trail
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reohn2
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I find that most bike shops are pretty patient when you take a bike in and explain to them "I'd like a new one of those, please" I've done that a few times, and always managed, by some miracle to get what I was after. (I should really start learning what all the bits are called!) I can recommend a few in the Wigan area who are really good at that!
I cycled from Eccles to Liverpool once. I followed the bike paths on the lancs as far as I could, went onto the back roads when I knew the way, and bought an OS map in St Helens. Admittedly, I then decided to take my chances with the traffic, but I wasn't in the mood to read a map!
I cycled from Eccles to Liverpool once. I followed the bike paths on the lancs as far as I could, went onto the back roads when I knew the way, and bought an OS map in St Helens. Admittedly, I then decided to take my chances with the traffic, but I wasn't in the mood to read a map!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/misfit-cyclist - The photos are rubbish but the memories are good. 
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parkedtiger
Probably the best place to get any info you need on your bike is here on these message boards !. There's always someone that can help.
Also, Harry Hall's bike shop on Whitworth street in Manchester are always very helpful and friendly, especially when it comes to sourcing little bits and pieces
As regards the ride, I don't know the route myself, but, (and I guess like most), I always carry a mutiltool that includes a set of allen keys, an adjustable spanner, a chain tool, and tyre levers, plus a puncture kit and a spare inner tube, ('cos it always rains up here and it's often quicker when on the tops to just replace the inner tube). Think about food as well - bananas and fig rolls are the classics to take along to keep fuelled up.
Also, Harry Hall's bike shop on Whitworth street in Manchester are always very helpful and friendly, especially when it comes to sourcing little bits and pieces
As regards the ride, I don't know the route myself, but, (and I guess like most), I always carry a mutiltool that includes a set of allen keys, an adjustable spanner, a chain tool, and tyre levers, plus a puncture kit and a spare inner tube, ('cos it always rains up here and it's often quicker when on the tops to just replace the inner tube). Think about food as well - bananas and fig rolls are the classics to take along to keep fuelled up.
The Pennine Way between Altrincham and Warrington has some very muddy sections indeed- in places is near-impassable if there's been any significant rainfall in the last 3 days or so.
My advice would be to leave it until spring. If you do do it now take a complete change of clothes if you want to be welcome in pubs, because you will be very muddy!
My advice would be to leave it until spring. If you do do it now take a complete change of clothes if you want to be welcome in pubs, because you will be very muddy!
Fair enough, thanks for the replies.
If the TPT from Salford to Liverpool isn't recommended, what are options for alternative routes? I obviously can't cycle down the M62, and I don't even want to think about doing the East Lancs, I'm not suicidal!
It's not that I'm desperate for this route, it's just Salford and Liverpool are the towns I'm most familiar with, I don't want to cycle into unchartered territory, where I'd be prone to getting lost. And the reason for wanting to cycle a good distance is to get back into shape.
What are the routes from Salford to Wigan if the Salford to Liverpool route isn't very desirable?
Also, what does everyone think of the Leeds - Liverpool canal? I want to try a length of that soon, maybe Liverpool to as far as Burscough/Parbold. But I don't want to cycle it if there's sections where the path is incredibly close to the canal, just in case the grounds slippery and I lose balance, I'd rather hit the hard ground than into the canal!
Thanks again for the quick replies
If the TPT from Salford to Liverpool isn't recommended, what are options for alternative routes? I obviously can't cycle down the M62, and I don't even want to think about doing the East Lancs, I'm not suicidal!
It's not that I'm desperate for this route, it's just Salford and Liverpool are the towns I'm most familiar with, I don't want to cycle into unchartered territory, where I'd be prone to getting lost. And the reason for wanting to cycle a good distance is to get back into shape.
What are the routes from Salford to Wigan if the Salford to Liverpool route isn't very desirable?
Also, what does everyone think of the Leeds - Liverpool canal? I want to try a length of that soon, maybe Liverpool to as far as Burscough/Parbold. But I don't want to cycle it if there's sections where the path is incredibly close to the canal, just in case the grounds slippery and I lose balance, I'd rather hit the hard ground than into the canal!
Thanks again for the quick replies
Salford to wigan, I'd head sort of past Worsley to Leigh, and from there, onto the Leeds Liverpool canal, which will take you all the way to Liverpool if you really want it to.
Of you could stay on the lancs a bit longer and get on the canal from there (there are bikepaths between Boothstown and Leigh) I believe the bit that goes under the lancs is the bridgewater canal, but don't quote me on that!
And I cycled down the lancs. Ok, it wasn't a sensible idea, but I didn't die!
Of you could stay on the lancs a bit longer and get on the canal from there (there are bikepaths between Boothstown and Leigh) I believe the bit that goes under the lancs is the bridgewater canal, but don't quote me on that!
And I cycled down the lancs. Ok, it wasn't a sensible idea, but I didn't die!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/misfit-cyclist - The photos are rubbish but the memories are good.
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sham22
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reohn2
d4w50n
If you want to cycle the L and L towpath its fine nearly all the way,the section from Worsley to Leigh is rather mucky at the moment due to the rain but from Leigh its good,use the A572 from Worsley to Leigh then get on the towpath in the town centre to Wigan when you hit wigan you'll come to a 'T' junction in the canal turn left and then follow your nose on to Liverpool.
Its quite a nice ride,we use the towpath regularly upto Parbold/Burcough area.
So if you see a Thorn tandem coming the other way it'll most likely be my wife and me(I'm the bald one).
I can't agree with sham22, the Lancs is about as interesting as motorway driving is, eg; totally boring, though it does have a good cycle path along side it.Personally if I had to cycle it regularly I'd take up golf!!!!
If you want to cycle the L and L towpath its fine nearly all the way,the section from Worsley to Leigh is rather mucky at the moment due to the rain but from Leigh its good,use the A572 from Worsley to Leigh then get on the towpath in the town centre to Wigan when you hit wigan you'll come to a 'T' junction in the canal turn left and then follow your nose on to Liverpool.
Its quite a nice ride,we use the towpath regularly upto Parbold/Burcough area.
So if you see a Thorn tandem coming the other way it'll most likely be my wife and me(I'm the bald one).
I can't agree with sham22, the Lancs is about as interesting as motorway driving is, eg; totally boring, though it does have a good cycle path along side it.Personally if I had to cycle it regularly I'd take up golf!!!!