Thursday 1st June

Phil B will be leading:

Plenty of off road cycling on this week’s 20 miles route with less than 400 feet of ascent and no serious climbs.  We briefly join the Westwood Way cycleway before taking to tracks into Westwood Estate then across Lower Ince into Spring View.  We’re then on road for a short while passing through the Spring View council estate before we enter Amberswood.  We can then enjoy a trail into the woodland and over the boardwalks in the nature reserve before we reach the flash.   We leave Amberswood following back roads across Hindley and past Leyland Park before we go off road again.  We soon take to some interesting trails as we work our way across to the Bickershaw council estate.  We cross the estate and enter more trails that take us over the former colliery site onto the Road to Nowhere.  Further trails take us around Fir Tree Flash.  We then have a short stint on the road down Plank Lane before we take a track around the back of Pennington Flash and onto Byrom Lane.  After a few hundred metres we’re back off road and into Byrom Hall Wood.  These tracks eventually lead us into Golborne where we take to the road to work our way across the town and into Edge Green.  We’re soon back on trails as we cross Viridor Woods towards Three Sisters Nature Reserve.  We then join Landgate Lane and the track down the Devil’s Backbone which we’ve spruced up earlier this week.  We then pass through Hawkley Woods and join the canal towpath taking us to Pool Street and back to our start point.   A mountain bike, hybrid or e-bike is recommended given the significant amount of off road riding.

Everyone is welcome to join us at the Red Pepper for a drink and chat at the end of the ride. 

Starting at 09:30am from Trencherfield Mill, Heritage Way, Woods Street, Wigan WN3 4AT

Non members are very welcome to come along for a ride or two before joining, all we ask is that you fill out one of our membership forms before doing so and bring it along with you as well as your own bike & helmet to use on the ride. No need to let us know if you’re coming along, just turn up on the day!

Membership forms are available for you to download from the website (About Us Page)

Previous Thursday Rides

25th May Phil B: 19 miles and 800ft.  Parsons, Goose Green, Clapgate Lane, Melrose Drive, Leopold, Banana Bridge, Ashurst Beacon, Crow Lane into Roby Mill, Bank Brow to join Lees Lane.  Farm track to the canal, Appley Bridge, Miles Lane, Shevington. Crooke Pads, track to Heinz, DW and back to base.

18th May Phil B: 23 mile and 600ft. Canal towpath to Bamfurlong, Viridor, Edge Green Road, Sandy Lane crossing Haydock Park Racecourse and the East Lancs Road. Rob Lane into Newton-le-Willows and on to Wargrave, Sankey Valley trail to Carr Mill Dam, Garswood Old Road, Garswood, North Ashton, Drummers Lane, Landgate Lane, Devil’s Backbone, Hawkley Woods and back to base.

11^th May Phil B: 20 miles road ride 850 feet. Standish through Wigan Park to Mesnes Road and along Wigan Lane.  Standish on the mineral line cycleway, into Wrightington.  Heskin Hall emerging onto Bannister Lane.  Return route – Far Moor Appley Bridge, Shevington.  Standish Lower Ground, DW Stadium, Saddle Junction.

4th May Phil B: 20 mile and 500ft. Canal towpath to Higher Ince, Whelley Loop, Belle Green Lane, Hemfield, Ladies Lane, Borsdane Wood.  Dicconson Lane, Code Lane, Dodds Lane, Jacks Lane to Castle Hill, through Hindley and across Atherton Road into tracks around Bickershaw.  Bickershaw Lane, Crankwood Road, canal towpath to Bamfurlong, Millers Lane Estate. into Amberswood and back to base.

27th Apr Phil B: 20 mile and 350ft. Canal towpath to Bamfurlong, side of the railway into Viridor.  Golborne, Lowton, Penny Flash, Fir Tree Flash, Bickershaw tracks to Leyland Park, Amberswood and towpath back to Trencherfield

20th Apr Phil B: 20 mile and 700ft. Parsons Meadow to Worsley Mesnes, Westwood Way cycleway through to Goose Green. Clapgate Lane, through Winstanley estate to Windy Arbour. Billinge, Carr Mill Dam, Garswood, Skitters Wood, Ashton Heath.  Into Golborne, Riding Lane, Viridor, Three Sisters, Landgate Lane and the trail down the Devil’s Backbone into Hawkley Hall Woods. Canal towpath, Pool Street and back to base.

13th Apr Phil B: 19 mile and 550 ft. of ascent but no steep climbs.  Amberswood Leyland Park, Hindley Green and along Sandy Lane to Borsdane Wood. Ladies Lane, Kirkless, towpath up to Haigh, Hall Lane to Swinley, Gidlow Cemetery, returning through Beech Hill and Springfield into Wigan. 

6th Apr Denis M: 22 miles. DW stadium up to Orrell, through Upholland over the beacon and into Parbold. Stoney Lane, Mossy Lea Road, Pepper Lane and the A49 back to base.

30th Mar Pete H: 21 miles and 500ft of gain. Parsons Meadow, Hawkley Hall, devils back bone to Three Sisters, onwards to Haydock skirting the edge of Garswood. Sankey Valley and on to Wargrave for our return through Newton le Willows, crossing the race course and onwards to Edge Green lane, Bolton road to the canal and back to Trencherfield

23rd Mar Denis M: 22 Miles. DW stadium to Orrell into Upholland over the Beacon then into Parbold. Stoney Lane, Mossy Lea Lane into Pepper Lane then the A49 back to Trencherfield

16th Mar Allan F: 20 miles on road. From the town centre follow A49, Standish, Charnock Richard, Back Lane / Bradley Lane, Eccleston, Banister Green, Cardiac Hill, Wrightington, Almond Brook, Shevington Lane, Crook, Standish Lower Ground and back to the start via Stadium Way.

9th Mar – Cancelled due to weather

2^nd Mar – Phil B: 20 miles. Parsons Meadow, Hawkley Hall Estate, Devil’s Backbone, to Three Sisters. Viridor, Bamfurlong, Dover Lock, Crankwood.  Plank Lane, Fir Tree Flash Bickershaw Country Park, ‘pig sty’ route into Hindley.  Blackberry Drive, Amberswood, Lower Ince. Canal towpath back to our start point.

23rd Feb – Phil B: 20 miles and 900ft. DW Stadium through to Kitt Green and Orrell, Hall Green then up to Beacon Country Park. Elmers Green back up to Mill Lane and Ashurst Beacon. Long Heys Lane to Lees Lane. Canal towpath through to Crooke Village. Martland Mill Industrial Estate via the woods, past the DW Stadium to the Saddle, then alongside the River Douglas into Swan Meadow Road and back toTrencherfield

16^th Feb – Phil B: 19 miles 400 feet. Westwood Way cycleway, Westwood Lane, Amberswood Nature Reserve.  Boardwalks, NC Route into Hindley.  Hart Common, Hindley Green, Westleigh, Bickershaw Country Park, ‘pig sty’ track. Abram, Kingsdown Flash, Dover Lock. Towpath into Wigan

9^th Feb – Phil B: 20 miles 800 feet of ascent.  Parsons Meadow, Westwood Way, Goose Green, Clapgate Lane, Winstanley estate, Melrose Drive, Highfield, Leopold, Hall Lane, Orrell, Tontine, Upholland, Lafford Lane, Bank Brow Lees Lane, Newburgh. Parbold Village, Appley Bridge, Shevington, Crooke Village, Martland Mill industrial estate, DW Stadium, Wallgate.

2nd February – Phil B: 19 mile and 500ft. Westwood Way cycleway to Goose Green, Alexandra Park, up to Orrell via Leopold Street and the ‘Banana’ bridge.  Billinge next then a nice run down to North Ashton, Skitters Woods, Ashton Heath Haydock Park Racecourse into Golborne and on to Edge Gree, Stubshaw Cross, Landgate Lane, ‘Devil’s Backbone’, Hawkley Woods, Carr Lane, Worsley Mesnes into Parsons Meadow and back to Trencherfield. 

26th January Phil B: 19 mile undulating route.  Cycleway to the Saddle Junction, past the DW Stadium to Martland Mill. Crooke woods followed by the pads to Shevington, through Elnup Wood into Standish, Mineral Line cycleway to Old Pepper Lane. Into Wrightington and Tunley Lane before we begin our return by following Robin Hood Lane and Appley Lane North into Appley Bridge, Skull House Lane into Shevington, dropping down to Gathurst then up Gathurst Brew and into Kitt Green. Marsh Green estate, cut through Robin Park and cycleway back to Trencherfield.

12th January Phil B: 19 miles flat terrain. Amberswood to Millers Lane at Platt Bridge. Canal towpath at Bamfurlong passing Pennington Flash returning to the flash on a track alongside the Sports Village.   Green Lane,  cross Lowton into Golborne then on to Stubshaw Cross.  Towards Three Sisters,  Landgate Lane to join the track leading down the ‘Devil’s Backbone’ into Hawkley Hall woods.  Crossing the woods rejoin the canal towpath to Pool Street return to road back to Trencherfield.

5th January Phil B : 19 miles route with around 700 feet of ascent.  Canal towpath at Pool Street, through the woods at Hawkley Hall and up to Landgate.  Across North Ashton to Garswood and via Arch Lane through to Billinge and on to Crank.  We then steadily climb on country lanes to Pimbo over Tower Hill and into Hall Green.  Back to Wigan down Alma Hill into Tontine and Orrell to join the trail over the ‘Banana Bridge’ through to Leopold Street then via Goose Green and  Westwood Way into Wigan. 

29th December Phil B: 19 mile 600ft. Parsons Meadow into Worsley Mesnes then cycle lanes to Marsh Green. Martland Mill to Giants Hall at Standish Lower Ground, tracks to Gidlow Cemetery before entering Swinley and joining Hall Lane to climb gradually up towards Haigh Hall.  New Road leads us to another track into Aspull. passing rugby union ground to join Hall Lane and Bolton Road taking us to Borsdane Wood.  We cycle through the wood into Hindley where we follow Sandy Lane and pass through to Hindley Green.  Estate roads take us across to join tracks on the ‘pig sty’ route back to Leyland Park.  More back roads lead us briefly onto Liverpool Road where we enter Amberswood.  We then pass by the lake on our way to Lower Ince and into Westwood for the final section of the ride back to base.

22^nd December Phil B: 18 miles 800 Feet. Westwood Way cycleway through to Goose Green upto Clapgate Lane.  Footpath into Winstanley.  Melrose Drive, Holmes House Avenue and Pemberton Road.  Cut through the Highfield estate onto Leopold Street on to the Redwood estate.  Footpath up to the ‘Banana Bridge’ and Orrell Water Park, emerging onto Tracks Lane.  Pass through Tontine to Upholland and into Lafford Lane to Roby Mill.  Climb up Farley Lane and Crow Lane towards Ashurst Beacon.  Mill Lane leading to Hall Green drop down Alma Hill back into Upholland and onto Orrell.  Kitt Green passing the DW Stadium joining Wallgate cycleway back to our start point. 

15th December – Cancelled due to Weather conditions

8th December – Cancelled due to Weather conditions

1st December Phil B: 17 miles on and off road 800 Feet ascent. Westwood Way cycleway to Goose Green and then to Alexandra Park.  Crossing Newtown into the Worsley Hall and Marsh Green to Martland Mill.  Beech Hill estate and the Standish Wood Lane track through to Gidlow Cemetery, emerging from Whitley Crescent onto Spencer Road and then round the Cherry Gardens roundabout and into Leyland Mill Lane.  Joined Sennicar Lane track up to Haigh Hall.  On up to the Balcarres Arms at Haigh.  Haigh Hall plantations.  Down the trail into the valley joined the canal towpath at New Springs. 

24th November Phil B: 17 miles and 650 feet of ascent. Parsons Meadow, Worsley Mesnes, Clapgate Lane, bridleways through Winstanley Estate and up to Windy Arbour. Into Billinge, tracks down to Carr Mill, Garswood, Bryn, Three Sisters, Landgate Lane, Devil’s Backbone, Hawkley Woods, canal towpath to Pool Street and back to Trencherfield.

17th November – Ride cancelled due to weather conditions

10th November Phil B: 18 miles and 400 feet of climbing. Canal towpath, Amberswood, Low Hall Nature Reserve through to Bickershaw., Fir Tree Flash to Plank Lane. Across to Byrom Lane, Byrom Hall Woods and through to Golborne. Trails around Viridor then alongside the railway to join the canal towpath at Bamfurlong for the final stretch back to Trencherfield.

3rd November Phil B: 18 miles and approx 800 feet of climbing. Cycleway to the Saddle Junction, past the DW to Martland Mill, woodland tracks into Crooke Village, ‘pads’ up to Shevington and Miles Lane to Appley Bridge. Mill Lane next up, Appley Lane South then Lees Lane and Dungeon Lane leading to the climb to Ashurst Beacon.  Trail section through Beacon Park on the way down to Hall Green, Alma Hill and through Tontine to Orrell Water Park, Hall Lane, Pemberton, Saddle Junction and back to Trencherfield

27th October Phil B: 17 miles and around 500 feet of climbing. Parsons Meadow, Westwood Way, through to Amberswood. We ride the trails across Amberswood, back streets through to Hindley Green and Long Lane. Sandy Lane back towards Hindley, Jack’s Lane and Dodd Lane up into Aspull. Borsdane Wood, Ladies Lane joining the track down Highfield Road into Higher Ince and onwards to the canal towpath for the run back to Trencherfield.

20th October Phil B: 18 miles and a little over 500 feet of climbing. Parsons Meadow, Alexandra Park, up to Orrell Water Park via Leopold Street and the ‘Banana Bridge’. Tracks Lane next, into Billinge and tracks through to Garswood.  Three Sisters Nature Reserve, Landgate Lane into Bamfurlong and the canal towpath back to Trencherfield. 

13th October Pete H: 19 Mile with 260 ft of ascent. From Trencherfield along canal and on to Bamfurlong, side of the railway to Viridor Wood joining Riding Lane, Edge Green Ln. on into Golborne arriving at Byrom Wood. Slag Ln. to Fir Tree Flash, Westleigh and Hindley, return along the loop line to the canal and back to the Brick.

6th October Jim T: 22-mile and 822ft of ascent. Standish, Bradley Lane, Chorley Road, Jolly Tar Lane, Yarrow Valley, Birkacre and Dobs Brow. Church Lane to the A49, Back Lane, Red Lane into Eccleston, Bannister Green Lane, Toogood Lane, Cardiac Hill, Tunley Lane, Almond Brook. Through Shevington, Crooke Martland Mill and back to Trencherfield via the DW and cycle paths from the Saddle.

29th September Phil B: 20 miles almost all off road with little uphill.  Canal towpath at Pool Street to Moss Bridge, “yellow brick road” through to Cemetery Road and Amberswood then Low Hall Nature Reserve to Leyland Park.  Trails around the woods and open land at Bickershaw through the Council Estate, trails around the former colliery site “Road to Nowhere”, Fir Tree Flash, Plank Lane, trails around Pennington Flash. Canal towpath back to Moss Bridge, woods at Hawkley Hall, Westwood Way, Worsley Mesnes Estate, Parsons Meadow and back to Trencherfield.

22nd September Phil B: 21 miles on and off road including a difficult climb.  King Street West on our way to Mesnes Park emerging Walkden Avenue. Gidlow Lane then up to Gidlow Cemetery and onwards Wigan Road, track to Green Lane and down Standish Wood Lane to Elnup Wood. Crossing Shevington to join Miles Lane and drop down to Appley Bridge. Mill Lane and Appley Lane North into Lees Lane, laving after a short distance to tackle the lengthy climb up Long Heys Lane to Ashurst Beacon. Well earned rest outside the Prince William before a great downhill on Crow Lane and Farley Lane into Roby Mill. Walthew Green and onto the Whitley Road track through to Lafford Lane, through Upholland to Tontine, onwards to Orrell Water Park before joining Hall Lane track down to Leopold Street and Enfield Street. Alexandra Park then on to cycleways into Wigan and back to Trencherfield. 

15th September Phil B: 19 miles mainly off road and 750 feet of uphill. Canal towpath and the Westwood Way cycleway, Westwood Lane on our way to Amberswood.  We cross Amberswood and circle the lake before joining the Whelley Loop Line up to Higher Ince.  We then cut through the industrial estate to the track at Hemfield Road leading us to Ladies Lane and on to Danesway and the entrance of Borsdane Wood.  We cycle through the full length of the wood on a slight uphill climb towards the Balcarres at Haigh, then down the track at Toddington Lane into Little Scotland.  A short section of road takes us to Blundell Lane followed by Arley Lane and through the golf course to Red Rock. Over the canal and up School Lane into the Haigh Woodland Park, down into the Douglas Valley before returning back to join the canal towpath at New Springs. Downhill then into Wigan and back to our start point. 

8th September Phil B: 21 miles 870ft Ascent. Mainly on road with some cycleway. Westwood Way cycleway through to Goose Green, Little Lane, Leopold Street via Billinge Road and Enfield Street.  Passing through the Redwood estate taking bridleway through to Orrell.  Orrell Road into Upholland, Hall Green, Chequer Lane, following cycleways towards Digmoor.  Nipe Lane, Ferry Knoll Road into Rainford.  News Lane and Higher Lane leading to Crank.  Rainford Road climbing into Billinge.  Roby Well Way reaching Main Street, continued to Windy Arbour then downhill towards Wigan.  Saddle Junction back to Trencherfield.

1st September Phil B: 18 miles and 750ft of ascent. Saddle Junction, Alexandra Park, Billinge Road, Leopold Street, Hall Lane, Orrell Water Park, Tracks Lane then Billinge Lump, Rainford Road, Billinge, Garswood Road, Garswood, Downall Green, Brocstedes Road, Drummers Lane, Landgate, Devil’s Backbone, Hawkley Woods, Canal towpath, Westwood Way, Worsley Mesnes, Parsons Meadow and back to Trencherfield via Swan Meadow Road.

25th August Phil B: 21 miles on and off road with 650 ft of climbing.  Canal towpath at Poolstock, Bamfurlong, Viridor, Edge Green Road, Edge Green Lane, Haydock Park Racecourse, East Lancs, Newton, Park Road North into Wargrave, Vulcan Village, Sankey Valley Park trail, Carr Mill Dam, Carr Mill Road, Billinge, Newton Road, Main Street, Windy Arbour, Saddle Junction and back to Trencherfield. 

18th August Phil B: 20 miles on and off road ride with 400 feet of climbing.  Parsons Meadow, Westwood Way Moss Bridge woods adjacent to Pearson’s Flash, Cemetery Road, Spring View, Amberswood, Blackberry Drive, Park Road, Bickershaw, Road to Nowhere, Fir Tree Flash and follow the trails through to Plank Lane, Westleigh passing Firs Park, Corner Lane, Coupland Road, Swan Lane, Hindley, Whelley Loop Line and towpath back to Trencherfield.

11th August Phil B: 17 miles mainly off road with 500 feet of climbing.  Canal towpath up to Rabbit Rocks at New Springs, Whelley Loop, Amberswood, Low Hall, Kingsdown Flash, Morris Dancers, Crankwood, Pennington Flash, Green Lane, Byrom Lane, Slag Lane and finally the towpath back to Wigan.

4th August Phil B: 24 miles on road route with 1000 feet of climbing. Wallgate, DW Stadium onto Challenge Way, Kitt Green, Orrell Post through Upholland and around the monument to Hall Green. Chequer Lane, Pimbo, Crawford. News Lane into Rainford and on towards the Bypass. Crank Road past Fairfield Hospital on our way to Billinge.  Windy Arbour and Pemberton Road downhill into Wigan. Cycle lanes from the Saddle Junction back to Trencherfield.