Cycling from Gargrave (nr Skipton) to Manchester

[pulseezar]

Hi all,

Gargrave to Skipton is the last leg of a three day ride from Northumberland to Manchester. Cycle.travel has suggested a route that joins the canal at Todmorden and follows it all the way back to Manchester. I've cycled the canal before (in the opposite direction) and remember it being very slow due to dodgy surface, lots of traffic, gates etc. I was wondering if anyone has used any other routes back to Manchester from this part of the world? I was looking at potentially following the A56 from Bury but am a bit worried we might get squished!

Any advice greatly appreciated!

[ChrisF]

I'd be interested in any help for this too, I'm planning on going the other way (Manchester towards Skipton) next month. Is the canal path only dodgy at the Manchester end? If so maybe take a train between Rochdale and Manchester.
If you do go via Bury there's NCN6 instead of the A56, although the Manchester end is subject to diversions ( http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-6)

[delilah]

I heard that the canal paths around Todmorden Hebbden Bridge are out of action at the moment because of the floods earlier in the year so I'd check it out

[pulseezar]

Bloody hell good thing you got me to check - it looks like the towpath is closed from Todmorden to Summit!

[Sweep]

If you two above pm me i can provide a gps of a route from whalley lancs to manchester picadilly.

I have cycled it (starting manchester) - not a bad route in my opinion - pretty quiet.

There's a good route from barnoldswick to clitheroe which will pretty much hook up with it - can supply more info if either of you need it.

The main A59 from skipton to clitheroe should be avoided as much as possible by cyclists - dangerous in my opinion and i am not overly nervous of such things. Definitely avoid at night.

Ps - yes, i would avoid long stretches on canals. My route uses BITS where it is a welcome bit of variety. All cyclable. Should add that i did this route fully loaded. One or two tight barriers but nothing needed to be taken off the bike.

[Richard Fairhurst]

I've cycled the Rochdale Canal towpath a few times, and it's one of the most rideable towpaths in England - not as good as the NCN sections of the Kennet & Avon or the London canals, but a lot better than most others. There have been towpath surface improvements around Rochdale itself over the past couple of years, too, though I think it's still grassy and unimproved for some distance immediately south of the M62 bridge.

But yes, it's certainly not going to be especially fast, and delilah's point about the current closures is pretty crucial!

[bigjim]

A56 Bury to Manchester is fine IMO. It is a regular route for cyclists commuting and motorists are used to them. I ride it on a regular basis. It can be a bit busy at McDonalds junction at Whitefield where the lane splits but if you dominate your lane it is ok and then the M/Way r/bout but there is an underpass you can use to avoid it.

[Toeclip]

Or take the left fork at McDonalds at Whitefield and follow the road via Polefield, Cheeham Hill to Manchester.

[bigjim]

Or take the left fork at McDonalds at Whitefield and follow the road via Polefield, Cheeham Hill to Manchester.

Yea. That is bit quieter till you hit Cheetham Hill village which cab be a bit of a nightmare if traffic backs up which it does. Once clear of the village it is ok though.

[lostgeordie]

Rode r66 from failsworth to gargrave last week along Rochdale canal, plenty of rough surfaces , narrow bridges, not good for me or bike. Route closed at todmorden, took A road to hebden bridge, no problem, then r68 colne gargrave