Peel Tower to Halo

Set off early this morning, 9:30ish. Cold but some sunshine and not as windy as yeasterday. Set off on usual route to Peel Tower at Holcome. Most of the roads were free of ice etc but a lot of the pathways still had a lot of snow and ice on them. I took it steady and fortunatley no mishaps. Dan had set off in opposite direction towards the Singing Ringing Tree in Burnley. One call later and both of us met up halfway at Crawshawbooth for a coffee and bacon butty. We set off back towards Haslingden but then followed a footpath past a telecom mast which took us on the Foot Trail. This took us over the top of the ski slope and brought us out at 'The Halo'. From here it was the usaul route back along Kings Highway and back down Manchester Rd and home. Back at about 2:30ish

Road Ride

Road ride! Too much snow around to go off road some to stop us going stir crazy a little ride to keep us fit as well. We started at the railway track then up to Rising Bridge, through to Hasligden, up to Crawshawbooth for a coffe and bacon butty. Carried on to Dunnockshaw and Clowbridge Resevoir, dropped down towards Burnley. Across to Rose Grove and back through Hapton and down Burnley Road to Accrington

No pictures but a good ride

Twin Towers

This ride took us from Home to Peel Tower then on to Jubilee Tower in Darwen. It took us approx 5hrs. The weather was resaonable for this time of year with a few patches of sun between the clouds. We started at the railway track in Accrington then on to Peel Tower. From here we went around the back of Holcome Moor and through the firing range. We were going to follow the West Pennine Bridalway round to Darwen but we had to follow Roman Road instead to save time. After picking up the bridalway again near Buryfold we climbed up to Jubilee Tower. After dropping down towards Darwen through Sunnyhurst Wood we followed the road to Ewood then took the canal back to Accrington. It was pretty dark when we got back but a very good ride.

From the top of Moor Road towards Helmshore

Holcombe Moor towards Scout Moor windfarm

Peel Tower towards Irwell Vale

Around the back of Holcombe Moor near the ranges

Black Moss Spring

Jubilee Tower towards Peel Tower

Through the tower to Darwen Moor

Trig Point with Sunnyhurst and Earnsdale Reservoirs

Two Bikes

Jubilee Tower plus me in Superhero pose!

Dan's lost too much weight I fear

Peel Tower Loop

Sunday afternoon ride out with Dan. Both of us have found ways to Peel Tower so today we could put our heads together and create a really good route with very little on road.

The route starts at the railway track on Nuttal St, then out through to Rising Bridge, drop down to Carrs industrial estate, pick up old railway track in Helmshore and through to White Horse pub. From here the bridalway is clearly marked towards Holcome moor. After reaching the tower it is a good drop back down the path and go by the sude of the church. This eventually brings us out to Ramsbottom centre which this Sunday have the farmers market which meant mince pie and hot ginger drink to warm us up. Following the road out of Ramsbottom then pick up cycle route 6 through Stubbins. This brings us out at the Railway Station at Edenfield where we pick up the tail end of the Cowpe Loop. The track takes us back to Holcome rd and the White Horse. From here it is a return from where we came

From Moor Rd towards Helmshore

Bikes at Peel Tower

Irwell Vale from Peel Tower

Halo to Peel Tower

Today i went for a ride to the Halo but as it was a nice day i decided to carry on a little further and find a route to Peel Tower. I went from The Halo down through Haslingden and on towards Helmshore. On the way out of Helmshore i noticed a bridalway going in the right direction up the side of the White Horse pub. From here i found Moor Rd which took me up onto Holcombe Moor and on to Peel Tower. Comming back i follwed the road through Ramsbottom and picked up cycle route 6 and follwed some familiar sections and roads back to home

Cowpe Loop

Cowpe Loop in wintertime. Most of the tracks are ok but a lot of rain recently means a very wet ride. Still good to get out.

Me in winter gear

View back towards Hambleden from Top 'o Leach

Halo

Another ride out to the Halo. The viewpoint plaques show all the points of interest visible.

Fairy Steps

Early morning ride going up to Hambleden via the Fairy Steps. Started off at the Whittakers Arms then up Burnley Rd to the Hapton Inn. Turn right and follow the farm track. This narrows to rocky singletrack which often floods. It quite a technical section of track with steep drop offs. At the top the track levels out but is often very muddy, this leads to the radio masts at the top and a continue on to Dunnockshaw and Clowbridge

Mary Towneley Loop August 2009

This is our first attempt on the Mary Towneley Loop. Approx 48 miles. Although it was August the weather was terrible, wet and cold but we were determined to complete it. It took up about 10hrs to finish but it taught us some valuable lessons. Good prep, lots to eat and drink, and rest. It's a monster with a lot of uphill sections. But we did it.
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