Sustrans Trans Pennine Trail

"Jeremy Collins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:op.sstzgyhu4al0tm@office...

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

SWMBO & I have got a few days off coming up, and I'm investigating
routes for a bit of UK touring (so this won't be the last of these
messages, sorry 🙂

Has anyone done the Trans-pennine way?

http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index.php?f=itemdetl.php&p=NNP21

The distance is ideal - 4 days of 50-ish miles.

What's it like? Are there stations reasonably close to each end?
Are there convenient pubs & B&Bs on the way? (Camping isn't an option).

Cheers,

--
jc

Yep - did it in May 2003 - we started out on Sat AM from Southport and got
the train home from Hull on the Tuesday mid-afternoon.

We used B&Bs/pubs (pre-booked, sourced on the net - stayed overnight in
Southport before the start, Sat night near Stockport, Sun at Wombwell (S
Barnsley) and Monday at Howden (between Selby & Hull)

Ride was pretty straightforward with cycleways etc. Main challenges were
the grotty parts of Liverpool (had to carry bikes at one point to avoid
broken glass, dead rats and syringes!) - and the climb above the railway
tunnel at Langendale was tough (actually more like a staircase, so involved
walking) - but the downhill that followed was stunning (51 mph!) Two of us
had hybrid/ATBs the other guy was on an ancient road bike - no problems at
all with terrain/surfaces other than as above.

Station at Southport (I think you would have to change at Wigan from the
main system) - the eastern finish at Hornsea requires an easy, flat, ride
back to Hull for the station.

Suggest you get the TPT book from Excellent Books in Bradford (or the
Sustrans shop) - describes the route and options etc very well.

We used just the TPT official maps (set of 3) and had no difficulty
navigating - signing was for the most part pretty good.

The other ride you might try is the Pennine Cycleway - that's in 2 parts
Derby - Appleby and Appleby - Berwick. We did the whole ride in 2004 -
excellent (tough in the Peak District but fairly easy after that) .... just
back from JOGLE but that's another story

Good luck!

Rob

RG said:

Quoted message said:

Has anyone done the Trans-pennine way?

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Yep - did it in May 2003 - we started out on Sat AM from Southport and got
the train home from Hull on the Tuesday mid-afternoon.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Ride was pretty straightforward with cycleways etc. Main challenges were
the grotty parts of Liverpool (had to carry bikes at one point to avoid
broken glass, dead rats and syringes!)

I've only done the branch which goes from Southport to Liverpool and I
didn't enjoy it much. I found the track quite unpleasant in places.
Like Rob says, there was lots of broken glass. Also, the trail goes
through places that gangs of local kids seem to like to gather and I
felt a bit vulnerable (although I had no problems at all).

Once I'd reached Aintree I decided it'd be much easier cycling to go
back on the road and just take the direct route into the city centre.

However, don't let that put you off! (This was also the day that I
buckled my back wheel, so perhaps that influenced my judgment!)

Judith

Quoted message said:

- and the climb above the railway
tunnel at Langendale was tough (actually more like a staircase, so involved
walking) - but the downhill that followed was stunning (51 mph!) Two of us
had hybrid/ATBs the other guy was on an ancient road bike - no problems at
all with terrain/surfaces other than as above.

RG said:

Ride was pretty straightforward with cycleways etc. Main challenges were
the grotty parts of Liverpool (had to carry bikes at one point to avoid
broken glass, dead rats and syringes!) - and the climb above the railway
tunnel at Langendale was tough (actually more like a staircase, so
involved
walking) - but the downhill that followed was stunning (51 mph!) Two of
us
had hybrid/ATBs the other guy was on an ancient road bike - no problems
at
all with terrain/surfaces other than as above.

Thanks for the reply. I've bought the Sustrans book of the route
anyway, but I'm a little put off by the two replies here! I think I
might have a go at the "coast & castles" route from Newcaste to
Edinburgh instead.

Cheers,

--
jc