Haworth Park to Great Harwood

This is a slow paced ride aimed at encouraging beginners/returners to cycling (we can speed it up/slow it down depending on who attends but we will ride at the pace of the slowest member). Almost the whole route is green and traffic free with trees, flowers, wildlife and some history so do come along. This route is suitable for hybrid and mountain bikes. It's a good idea to bring a bike lock, money (for the cafe), suncream and/or waterproof (check the weather reports) and your own drinks/snacks if you wish. Helmets are advisable but please don't worry if you don't have one. Just come along and, if you enjoy the ride and want to do more, you might consider investing in one for the future. We will make our way from the park to the Woodnook Greenway, a traffic free, leafy descent into Accrington. In Accrington we pass the Scaitcliffe Lake via the new causeway and make our way towards the foot/cycle path on Scaitcliffe Street. From there we join the path along the side of the railway and enjoy the paddock which may have horses grazing. We continue traffic free down into Church. In Church we will cross the junction as pedestrians before making our way via quiet residential streets towards the old church. After the Church we follow the road towards the canal and some great views over the countryside. We don't join the canal here but continue on the Rishton Greenway for a while with great views of Pendle and Hambledon Hill. We join the canal for a short way before taking a track to  the Green. It's then a couple of quiet streets down to the centre where we can stop for a tea/coffee before making the return route. There's the option of a slight detour to Ossy Mills for another brew-stop/rest by the duck pond (we can decide on the day) and then we take a leisurely pace up the final climb to Haworth Art Gallery. Please don't let the distance put you off - it's amazing how far you can go on a bike and this is a gentle route so you may surprise yourself. If you want any more information or to check if this ride is for you then please email [email protected] or telephone 07854 833182.