The first Rascals ride of the New Year, and the first RSF meet of 2016, started from Moses Gate Country Park; first going south to cross the River Croal, then after riding over its the bridge we went north, still riding through the park on the bridleways, to Darcy Lever. After going through the nature reserve we kept on north using a restricted by-way to Leverhulme Park.

We were heading for the permanent way of the old Bolton to Bury Railway which opened in 1848 and closed in 1970. Perhaps describing it as ‘permanent way’ is a misnomer since the route has had properties built upon it and therefore in those places it no longer exists.

A route around the aforesaid properties is shown the cycle-maps of the area, but is not as yet fully sign posted. Cycling around them we continued eastward alongside Darcy Lever’s playing fields and headed to Bradley Fold and to our brunch destination at the garden centre.

After the refreshment stop we again joined the permanent way, continuing east towards Bury, and again the route is blocked after about one mile. Beside Moss Shaw Farm was the railway junction which in older times joined with the line to Radcliffe, then through Phillips Park to Manchester; this area is now a large building site. I believe that the developers have to provide a bridleway as part of their planning consent, allowing access close to the original track bed so that there will be a through route to Bury.

Leaving the route of the railway we had now to take a circuitous route around the development to the village of Black Lane. Here it is possible to join the original railway route towards Radcliffe, which after a mile or so becomes NCN6. This was not for us today. Instead we took the farm track to Doffer Fold and Old Hall Farm, which is beside Elton Reservoir. From here we took to the towpath of the Bolton – Bury Canal and then joined NCN6 to take us to Radcliffe.

We remained on the canal’s towpath as NCN6 veered south towards Phillips Park and at Mount Sion stopped to observe the River Irwell spilling over the large weir. Here there is a relatively new route, in and through Outwood Park. This park is made up of around 60 hectares of former colliery which has now been transformed into woodland and is a key location on the Irwell Sculpture Trail as home to the Ruckreim Cluster. The 4km Outwood Trail passes through the park, crossing the spectacular Outwood viaduct en-route and linking with the national cycle network. We shall add this to our portfolio of routes, but we will not be planning to do it until later in the year when it may be a little drier.

On the remainder of the route we were never far from the Irwell until just before Moses Gate, at Nob End; here we left the Irwell, and descended to again cross the Croal over the Avon Bridge and return to the start.Jack and Annie our two younger riders did absolutely marvellously in the somewhat trying conditions; kudos to them.

What about the weather you may be asking? Yes, it was sufficient and plentiful; muddy under wheel at times and rather wet; although the rain ceased for the last hour of riding, so we arrived back reasonably dry; enough said!

See you all at Botany Bay next week, and a happy New Year to you all, Brian.

Photos from the ride can be seen here https://www.flickr.com/photos/redroserascals/sets/72157662505626690