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Westhoughton Motor Cycle Club |
[Home]. Trough of Bowland 6th June 2010
Following a hectic beginning to the year I decided that I had better relieve the usual suspects and organise a ride out. Having discovered some new roads in northern Lancashire I decided to take the group around the Trough of Bowland. The weather forecast for the day was grim but the forecasters kept up their reputation for accuracy and the day dawned cool and bright with a bit of drizzle at times. Eight bikes and nine people set off bang on time and headed north up the M6 to Standish. Using the M6 is the best option to escape our area which is a jungle of traffic lights, pelican crossings and temporary road works. We then went round Chorley to Hoghton then the A59 at Salmesbury. We turned left off the A59 and rolled up in Ribchester where we had our first brew at the Carmen Rose Cafe, very pleasant with tables in the back garden and good grub. There is also plenty of parking and free public toilets about 20 yds away. While we were in the cafe it rained but we had plenty of shelter so it wasn't a problem. By the time Andy had finished his sausage sandwich it had stopped raining so we set off towards the trough. We went over Jeffrey Hill and wandered through the fields towards Dunsop Bridge. Because the weather wasn't bright and sunny there weren't many cars in the area so we had a clear run over the hills and through the valleys, the only threats were the sheep which were taking advantage of the lack of traffic and wandering along the roads deciding which bike to jump out in front of. When we had got over the hills and dropped down to Quernmore we took a right then another right and headed back up the hills on single track roads to Baines Crag, Crossgill and Caton. At Caton we turned right onto the A683 and pulled in at the large lay-by where there are now toilets and a good little cafe. We had our second brew and some had another snack. We had come all this way and hadn't got really wet so everyone was happy. When we were fed and watered we had some photographs taken the set off east along the A683. At Hornby we turned right to Wreay and headed to the hills once again. It was while we were riding these lanes that we got a little misplaced by taking the wrong option at a five way junction. No problem, we got to Lowgill ( more photographs ) and turned round. This time we took the right road at the five way junction coming out onto the moors once again. This was Lamb Hill Fell (very apt with loads of suicidal lambs around). This is a narrow road which crosses the fell giving great views as the road disappears into the distance. Once again the iffy weather had kept all the cars away. We travelled about 13 miles and saw only one car, great!! We eventually dropped down into Slaidburn where we had another pit stop for food, drinks and toilets. After nearly an hour chatting and feeding the birds we headed over Newton Fells to Waddington and Clitheroe where we had a top up of fuel. Leaving Clitheroe we headed towards Sabden. Crossing the A59 Rob left us and headed home as arranged, Jimmy followed him, I don't think that was arranged. Steve chased after them but Jimmy carried on. When we had regrouped we went over the hill and down into Saben taking a right at the bottom of the hill to Whalley. At this point I was thinking of heading towards Blackburn and a different way home but once I got on the A59 and saw the time I thought we would just hit the motorway and get home in a straight forward manner. So that bit of the run was totally uneventful (boring). We got to Haydock Island about 5 o'clock so it all worked out well. It was a successful day out, we had done 157 miles, the weather held out, the company was good and we had a laugh. This is what being in a bike club is all about.
Bob McC. |