Due to the Chorley Flower Show restricting access to Astley Park the ride will now start from the CAR PARK at THE YARROW VALLEY COUNTRY PARK, BIRKACRE, CHORLEY PR7 3QL. (What3words///drops.descended.gossip.) Turn left off Coppull Road signed for Birkacre Garden Centre. Meet at 9.30 a.m. on Sunday 2nd August.
The Car Park is Pay and Display. There is usually a £3 charge for all day or use the MIPERMIT App.
HOWEVER, Currently the pay kiosk is out of action and parking is free, I doubt it will be fixed by Sunday!
There are also toilets and a cafe at the start. Please bring the usual emergency tools and puncture repair equipment. Card/Cash if you require lunch
The Car Park is on the existing route (2 miles in) so the route will remain the same. As we are cutting out the ride from Astley park the route will be 4 miles shorter, now 47/48 miles. Otherwise the route details below are all the same and the GPX file is still correct.
NO ONE will be left behind
- Distance Instructions
- Distance 51 miles
- Time 5 h 40 min
- Speed 9 mph
- Min altitude 62 ft
- Peak 561 ft
- Ascend 2516 ft
- Descent 2503 ft
This is a figure of 8 route, starting clockwise, to the Impressive Dream Statue in St Helens. The route goes through Chorley (Pall Mall) to Birkacre Brow, Coppull and Pepper Lane Standish, taking Back Lane to Lees Lane, then Dalton and Upholland. From here it passes through Crank to take a section of the East Lancashire Road cycle path before turning South to pass through St Helens. From here it goes through Sherdley Park then taking Lea Green Road to Sutton Woodland on the site of the old Sutton Manor Colliery where has been placed the statue. The return route is via Marshalls Cross, the Sutton Brook cycleway, re-crossing the E.Lancs Road to Carr Mill Dam. From here it passes through Billinge, Upholland, Appley Bridge, Wrightington and Charnock Richard, returning to Chorley and Astley Park.
