Exploring Cycle Lanes Through Industrial Lancashire

A 30 mile bike ride exploring cycle lanes and re-purposed railway lines through industrial Lancashire. Starting in Helmshore, the ride goes through Bury, Rochdale, Bacup and Rawtenstall. A great little ride that provides an insight into the rich history of this fab little area.

Gopro 10 on a selfie stick
Oakley Jawbreaker glasses
Cycling Psyman shirt bought by my missus, before I changed the channel name 🤔

Welcome back to the channel. I’m taking a gamble on this one today. It’s a route that I found on a a club member’s straa, Mr. Pickles. It’s called Exploring Lancasher’s Industrial Heritage. So, I found a bit of free parking, couple of wrong turns to try and find a this little cycle path that I’m now on. It’s about 35 miles, 2 and a half thousand ft. It’s not a flat one. Let’s see what it’s all about. [Music] I think this is the way. Well, we started in Helmshaw heading south and then we go towards I think it’s Rodale and Berry. I seem to be on an old railway line with the moors all around me. The weather’s not playing, but so what? [Music] Well, there are signs. So, I’m on cycle route number six and I’m currently in Berry. This is a proper magical mystery tour. I’m now in Nutall Park. Nutall or Nutle? Nutall, I think. It looks uh parky. Oh, look. More signs. Well, one minute you’re in a factory and the next minute you’re out here. Lovely. to Lancasher. [Applause] Well, so far we’ve got housing estates, industrial estates, snickets, and some really nice cycle ways. A lot like the guild wheel, a lot like the Wakefield wheel, if you know those. and some deer. [Music] Sun’s coming out. Well, after getting lost in an industrial estate, I managed to find Bell Wayne and now I’m back on the route in Fairfield. Just gone past Fairfield Hospital. Oh, that’s gray over there. Got three miles of straight main road, which is good cuz I can make up some time. This is the main berry to Rodale Road, the A something. Currently in Bamford. Another mile of this and then turn onto Sandy Lane. Sounds nice. Just gone past Rodale AFC having a tour of football grounds today and heading towards or in a place called Meanwood. Just coming past Phoenix Street. There’s joy and dereliction in this ride. But I keep finding fab snicks and then big derelic buildings everywhere. Not sure what that once was, but it was big by the side of a river again. [Music] I think this might be the way to the calf. Let’s explore Healeyell Heritage Center in T-ws. That’s got Mr. the pickles written all over it that has but unfortunately it’s closed. So we’ll go back. So we’re going to go left up here back over my left shoulder. These are the kind of rides that I had in mind when I bought this gravel bike. Onroad, off-road, cope with some rough stuff. It’s perfect. It’s about 17 miles in now. I’ll bob the route back up. So, kind of at the bottom right hand corner just after Rodale and I think I’m on another little former railway line by the looks of things. There’s loads of these. They’re fabulous. So, 17 miles done and about 1,000 ft. So, halfway through the climbing, just about and halfway through the ride. The last few rides on my channel have been fairly hilly smashes. 5,000 ft around the Yorkshire Dales, 5,000 ft with Curve, 3 and a half th000 ft with Vicki the week before. So this one I fancied something a little bit more chill and sedate. So the average speed is way slower. Very different terrain. Bit of exploring. Nice and chill. I’ve attached my light in a different place where it shall remain regardless of the bike I’m [Music] We’re climbing now. Kind of escaping into the moss. Climbing. Climbing. Climbing. Well, these gray clouds have been circling all day. I say all day, the last two hours. I’ve not got mega wet yet. Shut up, Simon. Shh. Fingers crossed I get away with it. Well, there’s a tiny bit of main road just over there, but there’s a foot path. It’s kind of half foot path, half cycle lane that you can ride on. And then then you’re back into this. Fabulous little bike ride. Loving this one. Absolutely full of little surprises. Heading north now on what I’m guessing is another disused railway line. Coming up towards Old Lane. Well, that’s Shore Service Station. It’s a fairly busy road down there, but I’m quite happy to have a a little cycle path. All the way upside of it. Get a bit wet here. Like wet feet. Oh, that’s fabulous. Cyclist are well looked after around here. It’s nice around here. Not entirely sure where I am, but since that was called Shaw Garage, I’m guessing I’m in Shaw. Unless that person’s surname is Shaw Farm traffic today. This bit’s nice. I just climbed for a mile or so, so I’m assuming this might go downhill for a mile or so. Will I be that lucky? Looks nice, though. Watch out for cyclists and dog walkers and general nature lovers. Oh, and gates I got spat out onto a main road, but I saw signs for Lee Quarry Mountain Bike Center. So, I’m guessing I’m in bakeup cuz I’m pretty sure that’s in bakeup. And I’m pretty sure I fork off here. You’ve got to enjoy an explore, aren’t you? You’ve got to love an explore. I’d love a brew as well, but I’ll settle for an explore. Miles and miles of just lovely flowing cycle tracks. I’m liking this one. It’s a bit dark in here. [Music] Hey, that was dark. That’s Rotten Stall up behind me. I think. And I’m back on a cycle path. Might be about to rain. Find a bridge. There is an extra loop on Mr. Pickle’s route right at the end, but I’m going to cut it off and go straight back to the textile museum. So, I should be done in about 2 or 3 miles. All being well. Well, I found Station Road, so by my reckoning, it should be up here. Turn right and I’m back to my car. Almost done. Nice ride. Some fantastic cycling interspersed with some very busy roads. Might be one for a Sunday morning. Certainly more exploring to do. Hey, back to base. Free parking. I wonder if there’s a calf. Spend some money. Lovely Lancasher. Now, there’s no copper beer, is there? [Music]