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Whats the trans-Pennine like east of Manchester for a cx bimble? I've gone the other way to Southport a couple of times and think it's great - about 65 miles but flat as a pancake.
Where would 65 miles the other way take you (preferably for a convenient train back), and is it a worthwhile ride?
Where would you start from?
There's a very good circular route that uses the Longdendale trail as part of it.
Well obviously not too far from manchester you hit the pennines and cross them near the woodhead pass if I remember correctly. It would be fine on a CX bike, but I would say you have probably done the best bit.
We rode the whole thing a few years ago. While it was nice to ride the across the country, at times it seemed like a tour of the worst bits of every town in the north. The signage is terrible as well and gets worse as you go east.
I'd be starting Stockport way.
I quite like the tour-de-shithole aspect of the transpennine tbh. I normally start early going west so the scallies are still in bed.
at times it seemed like a tour of the worst bits of every town in the north
But look on the positive side - you left the worst city behind you 😉
My loop goes from Saddleworth, down the canal, then cuts up through Staylbridge country park, over the moor then down into Tintwistle. Cross the floor of the Woodhead across the reservoir, then Longdendale trail to the top. Then follow the Snow road and cut over to Winscar res, then down into Holme. Then past Diglea, up to the top of Wessenden, down, then climb out of Marsden, over Stanage and back down into Saddleworth. Pretty much all off road, pretty much well away from big towns, about 45 miles, with 4 or so nice climbs.
Thks Crikey - just following that route on the map and it looks good. Occurs to me that I'd need gears - normally take the pompino westwards with a fairly stiff commuting gear on it. Think I'd be crying pushing that through the hills.
Yes, but with it being a cross bike, you can shoulder it and walk without shame..
Could go through Wharnecliffe Woods from the junction after Penistone and down into Sheffield for a train back to Stockport. Lots of road from Oughtibridge to Sheffield though.