Meet at Astley Park Gates, PR7 1JU at 9.30 am on Easter Sunday 4th April. The route is as below. We are now permitted to ride with up to 15 participants but have to split into groups of up to 6 at the beginning and during any stops. Hand gel should be the responsibility of each participant and a face mask may be required at the food stop. There will be a cafe stop at The Bridge Farm Cafe in Rainford. As it is takeaway only please let me have your order by Saturday, if possible. The Menu is available at https://www.bridgefarmrainford.co.uk/tearoom.html, though I do not think the specials board shown will be an option! I am sure they will accept emergency orders on the day. Either message your choice or text me on 07708 252168. Alternatively use info@busstopbikers.co.uk.
As far as we can determine travelling to the start venue by car is acceptable and legal, but participants will have to make up their own minds if they are happy with the distance they have to travel.
If you book on over the 15 (which I am not anticipating!) you will move up a place if someone drops out, but only a maximum of 15 should attend on the day.
- Distance Instructions
- Distance 37 miles
- Time 3 h 43 min
- Speed 10 mph
- Min altitude 43 ft
- Peak 541 ft
- Ascend 1483 ft
- Descent 1486 ft
Leaving from Astley Park Gates, Chorley PR7 1JU. Car Parking is conveniently located on Queens Road car park, PR7 1JU. (what3words ///rabble.broke.bats). This is next to the park gates. Turn right immediately after the park gates when entering Chorley from the Preston direction or M61 junction 8. Parking should be free after 5 p.m. and all day Sunday. An alternative car park is the main Astley Hall car park on Hallgate, which is on the other side of the park, PR7 1NP. There are toilets here but Car parking is £3 for all day, every day. You can ride through the park to the start of the ride.
The route passes through Chorley to Birkacre then Coppull. From Coppull it goes to Shevington, Gathurst and Orrell Post, then up the Crank Road climb to Crank. It then joins the Rainford Linear Park, a two mile shared path along a disused railway line to Rainford Junction Station and the Bridge Farm Cafe.
The return route is via Crawford, Upholland and over Ashurst Beacon via the gentler side into Newburgh. Thence to Grimshaw, Eccleston and via Back Lane to Euxton to return to the park gates through the park.
Total Distance is 37 miles
