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I mostly ride around near Riv / Belmont / Darwen etc, but was looking for a bit of advice on the safer roads between Leyland and Parbold/Wigan, especially in the dark - to extend the commute home a little when time allows.
Country lanes can either be nice and quiet or just loads of blind corners for drivers to come steaming up from behind.
Any thoughts on good/bad roads in the area?
Leyland to Parbold. You'll be looking at A49, fast A road boring and not ideal. Head out of Leyland West and pick up the A59, duel carriage way, but with cycle lanes for sections. Failing that it's head through Bretherton, Croston, Eccleston, Rufford, Mawdesley, Newburgh, etc. nice roads, but as you say plenty of blind corners for cars to come around in the dark and due to the twisty nature of the roads they wont have seen you from afar prior to this point. The area is between Leyland and Parbold is full of little villages and nice quiet roads, but most are national speed limit. Not far from where Bradley got knocked off (last year?)outside the BP at the top of Parbold Hill.
Thanks Oldschool, ok with the A49....you've confirmed that the other roads might not be a good idea in the pitch black...
Bretherton, Croston, Eccleston, Rufford, Mawdesley, Newburgh
I tend to commute on these roads as well as using them for my usual road riding. They are great very early in a morning 6am) but I only commute on them when there is a couple of us riding.
If I'm on my own I tend to stick to the mainroads, in my case the A49, through Leyland, Euxton, Charnock Dick and Coppull.