Formby and the Red Squirrels

This ride will leave Robin Park and head towards the Leeds and Liverpool canal towpath which is part of the Wigan Pier to Southport Pier cycle route 562.
We follow the towpath through Crooke, Gathurst and Appley Bridge to Parbold where the newly improved towpath surface ends. From Parbold bridge the towpath is uneven and narrow in places and can be tricky after heavy rain. (this can be bypassed by using country roads)
After passing through Burscough we leave the canal towpath at New Lane swing bridge and take to quiet country roads on Cycle Route 562 before turning on to the Lancashire Cycleway Route 91 and then meeting the Trans Pennine Trail Cycle Route 62 which takes us to Formby.
We will have short stops en route and will have a longer stop for refreshments at the cafe/chippy near Freshfield Railway Station in Formby so please bring drinks and snacks or money to buy them.
After our refreshment stop at Formby the return route will take us on the forest trail through Formby woods to see if we can spot any of the elusive red squirrels.
This ride is mainly flat and takes us through beautiful countryside but will be a challenging ride for beginners as it is approximately 53 miles and may take up to 7 hours.
The ride is a mixture of canal towpath, miles of quiet country lanes and a forest trail.
Helmets are compulsory on this ride and we never leave anyone behind.

A mixture of road and traffic free trail.

Refreshment stop planned, bring money or snacks.

We never leave anyone behind