It was only a few weeks ago that we met for a Saturday ride at the Tesco store in Accrington, this time our route was in opposite direction.
After our brief social we started our run on NCN6 towards Baxenden on the Woodnook Greenway; this is the other end of the old Clifton Junction to Accrington railway that we were on last week.
The old permanent way is quite steep in railway terms, I believe the average gradient is one in forty, which meant that most of the trains had to be double headed, or topped and tailed. So, fighting our way up this mighty incline, beside Woodnook Water it was almost Bedlam; Bedlam being a small area just west of the route at the other side of the water. To say nothing of the multitude of dog walkers; in fact I think everyone we saw had at least one.
The bridges on the route were removed some years ago, so there were a few ups and downs to contend with; nothing to daunting though, but not something usually associated with a railway line.
Near Friar Hill we passed what on some maps is marked the West Pennine Moors Bridleway. Do not be fooled, this route is not complete, there are a few gaps, one of which involves riding on a fast A road, and at least one significant detour to regain the route. Some ‘missing’ portions were opened last year, the main one of these for cyclists is the route from Waterside to Belthorn; there was no feasible alternative before its opening.
Leaving the Greenway at Baxenden we ascended to Back Lane, once a rough track, but now tarmacked, rather unfortunate really, cars now use it. Another ascent faced us now to Sherfin where we joined the Kings Highway and completed the descent to Winfields for lunch.
Winfield is always a delight to visit; we dined next to the display of restored and preserved motorcycles. However it was soon time to leave on the climb back up to Sherfin, but that really was the last climb; it was all downhill from there. Mmm, where have I heard that before?
We re-joined the Greenway at the site of what was Baxenden Station for the long and straight descent back to the start in Accrington.
We arrived in Accrington a little cooler than we were after the climb out, but on such a good cycling day it did not bother us..

I hope to see you all next week at Towneley Park, and thanks for your, as always, friendly company. Oh, and thanks to Georgie and Frank for riding as sweepers; Frank really has taken to this cycling lark..
Brian.

Tthe photos I took may be viewed on Flickr here.