Pier to Pier

This ride will leave Robin Park and head towards the nearby 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 to Burscough if the weather is bad). After passing through Burscough we continue on the towpath to New Lane swing bridge where we leave the canal and take to the quiet country roads on Cycle Route 562.
When we reach the A570 Scarisbrick New Road we take the cycle path following the road before turning off again. The route continues alongside a stream and then over some playing fields before emerging in Portland Street which runs straight through to Southport Pier gardens.
This ride is mainly flat but will be a challenging ride for beginners as it is approximately 42 miles and may take up to 7 hours.
The first part of the ride is traffic free until we reach the country roads but we expect traffic to be busier nearer to Southport.
We will have short stops en route and will have a longer stop for refreshments at the Marine Lake Cafe near Southport Pier so please bring snacks or money to buy them.
Helmets are mandatory on this ride.

A great new route to Southport.

A mixture of trails and road.

There will be at least one refreshment stop.

Please carry spare inner tubes and/or puncture repair kit and check your bike to make sure it's in good, working order.

We never leave anyone behind