Stockport Community Cycling Club
Cycling novices conquer the Transpennine Trail
By Jim Court
Oct 9, 2007, 18:46

As a result of a Challenge between two members of Stockport Community Cycling Club, six members of the Club attempted the Transpennine Trail from Southport in the West to Hornsea in the East.  The ride was done over 5 days during the August Bank Holiday week.

The Club is designed for newcomers and those returning to cycling as well as anyone who wants to take part in shorter rides at a modest pace in good company.  Rides are normally between 12 and 20 miles so this was indeed a challenge.  Only two of the riders had done any extensive cycling so a number of pre-ride training rides were undertaken up to 35 miles in length.  The published distance is between 207 and 215 miles but we completed 240 miles and this seems to be the average covered by other people we have spoken to since.

Back up transport was provided by two wives, both Barbara,  and Jim, Tom, Lesley, Clare, Andrew and Alison set out on Saturday morning for the first leg from Southport to Warrington, a projected distance of 40 miles.  Leaving the Seamark statue , the route followed the coast before joining the old railway line to Maghull and Aintree where we joined a superb 11 mile tarmac railway line to Speke.  Interesting river views and the sight of the Runcorn bridge from underneath eventually re-united us with the cars at Warrington and home for the night. Distance 50 miles!! warned us of the mileage discrepancies.

Next morning we drove back to Warrington and joined up with Linda and 9 year old Patrick who would ride back with us to Stockport before we continued to Hadfield, near Glossop.  We were soon on the railway paths again, this time through Lymm to Broadheath.  We managed to get lost in the woods which followed but regained the route near the Carrington spur.  Then came probably the grottiest part of the route through Sale to Sale Water Park where we encountered many stiles which broke up the rhythm. Lunch at Northenden and we bade farewell to Linda and Patrick.  It was a  bit strange to stop for a toilet break at Merseyway in the middle of the ride then on to Reddish Vale Farm for a cuppa and a rest before tackling several hills through Haughton Dale, Godley and Hattersley to the biggie at Charlesworth and up the final drag to Hadfield and again back home.

Next morning the back up cars reduced to one as people carrying would not again be needed until the end.  The starting drag up Longdendale Trail was followed by a vicious climb avoiding Woodhead Pass to the highest point on the trail.  A fast descent followed and on downhill to Penistone. Another climb to Silkstone Common was followed by a delightful downhill through the woods for nearly 8 miles.  Soon afterwards Andrew was deliberately brought off by one of the local youngsters but luckily suffered only minor injuries.  The trail continued through flood-ravaged areas to Doncaster where we said goodbye to Andy and Lesley who had to return home after the Bank Holiday weekend.

Extricating ourselves from Doncaster next morning, we headed north through pleasant tracks and lanes, all flat for a change, and then a long canal stretch before more lanes brought us to lunch at Snaith. Onward then on more canal path to Selby from where we followed the river before joining the last lanes to the overnight stop at Howden.

The final day took us back on to the riverbank and on the edge of the Wolds before the spectacular stretch (also the bumpiest) under the Humber Suspension Bridge.  The route then led into Hull where we stopped for lunch after negotiating through perhaps the most run-down area of the town.  We left Hull and soon picked up the final railway line to Hornsea to arrive at the Eastern Seamark.  After a celebration meal we returned home by car the following morning.

On the whole, a fine interesting route, well signposted in the main and our hotels were pretty reasonable and inexpensive except at Hornsea, the less said about that one the better.  The weather was fine and we had a following wind most of the way.  Average mileage 45 to 50 miles each day.  The feeling of elation and achievement by the more novice riders at the end of the ride was immense.

Returning to the normal rides after this epic was a bit of a come down but other interesting rides followed to make up for it.

Jim Court