Awayday – Forest of Bowland – September 18th 2024
Starting Venue: Slaidburn
Route Length: 42 miles
Climbing: 1120m
Route description: Dunsop Bridge, Quernmore, Wray, Cross o’ Greet, Slaidburn. A fairly hilly ride. The Trough of Bowland is OK as long as there isn’t a strong westerly blowing. Jubilee Tower (at about 14 miles) looks out over Morecambe Bay and on a good day Blackpool Tower can be spotted. After lunch there are fine views of the Three Peaks. The Great Stone of Fourstones is worth a diversion on foot unless the ground is very soggy (31 miles), and the splendid descent from Cross o’ Greet into Slaidburn makes the climbs worthwhile. Optional short historical detour to visit a mediaeval fish shop at Caton.
Travel time from Harrogate: 1h 15 minutes
Car Parking: Parking in the Ribble District Council car park, Slaidburn (What3Words: /// protest.dozen.norms). £3.10 for 8 hours by coins or card.
Toilets/Refreshments at start: Free toilets at the car park. No refreshments available at the start but an optional early coffee stop at Dunlop Bridge is possible.
Coffee Stop: Optional coffee stop at Dunsop Bridge (at 4.5 miles). Jubilee Tower is a good stop for a mid-morning snack. There are toilets available at Dunsop Bridge and at Caton (20 miles).
Lunch Stop: Bridge House Farm Tearooms, Wray, 015242 37775. (26 miles. What3Words: /// taxpayers.winds.belly)
Ride Report: Ride Report 18th September 2024
