Cherbourg – Dieppe

Midweek short (and longer) cycles!

Greater Manchester B:Ring publicity whistle stop tour with highly refreshing sojourn at Project 53 Knutsford with Alex and just in time for #tryanuary with Boom Juice, 1924, and Sidekick (ok, so not strictly speaking a flight but pretty much as good as, with three halves)

….. and also only just in time for #tryaflightinJanuary Dunham Porter, Bridgewater Blonde and Lymm Bitter with Dave at the Lymm Brewery Tap where there were two flights

Looking forward now to #fabbeerFebruary

And then of course it’ll be time for ‘le winter training #1 d’excellence’ – the brexit busting bike bus pathfinder tour Cherbourg – Dieppe! (see more details below!)

AKA (the Brexit Busting Bike Bus) Cherbourg – Dieppe pathfinder expedition!

Very pleased today to circulate an update to a select group of afficionados who have expressed interest in participation in this altogether brilliant coastal detente european flavour grabbing history interrupting – just kidding – lively meander.

(Alliterating is all very good but the key is knowing when to stop).

We’re off in March. And back in time for Brexit! Before stockpiling is precluded!

visit gettothecoast.co.uk again soon for updates

or send an email  to gettothecoast(at)gmail.com

GTTC presents Greater Manchester B:Ring for Tryanuary Part I:

Sunday 6 January 2019

Irlam – Lymm – Dunham – Mobberley – Wilmslow – Bollington (return from Adlington or Poynton). An end of festive burn off across the flatlands and an opportunity to reflect on the season of goodwill.

Feat. breweries of:

Lymm ~ Dunham Massey ~ Mobberley ~ Wilmslow BH&K ~ Bollington

GTTC presents Greater Manchester B:Ring for Tryanuary Part II:

Sunday 13 January 2019

Irlam – Eccles – Bolton – Bury (via Radcliffe). An early middle of the month gentle introduction to hills and mills and a taste of the life in the north.

Feat. breweries of:

First Chop ~ Bank Top ~ Brightside ~ Deeply Vale ~ Silver Street

GTTC presents Greater Manchester B:Ring for Tryanuary Part III:

Sunday 20 January 2019

Stockport – Glossop – Stalybridge – Mossley – Uppermill. Neither last nor least cometh the beasts in the east with some tasty climbing to whet the appetite.

Feat. breweries of:

Foolhardy ~ Green Mill ~ Howard Town ~ Tickety Brew ~ Millstone ~ Donkeystone

GTTC presents Greater Manchester B:Ring for Tryanuary Part IV:

Sunday 27 January 2019

Poynton (for Bollington) – Whaley Bridge – New Mills – Glossop – Stockport. Fill in some gaps on the south east uplands with some hearty hills to burn off the chills.

Feat. breweries of:

Bollington ~ Torrside ~ Howard Town ~ Green Mill ~ Foolhardy

GTTC presents Greater Manchester B:Ring for Tryfebruary Part I:

Sunday 3 February 2019

Mossley – Uppermill – Saddleworth – Rochdale – Bury. Because there are never enough Sundays in one month here’s a bonus full blown hill stage

Feat. breweries of:

Millstone ~ Donkeystone ~ Saddleworth ~ Pictish ~ Deeply Vale ~ Silver Street

General principles

the rides (mainly) start and finish at railway stations

the rides pass by the locations of breweries (mainly) around the outskirts of greater manchester

there shall be opportunities to try new beers

there shall be no competitive drinking

there shall be responsible cycling

there shall be concessions to the weather

there shall be support in the event of mechanical breakdown

the rides shall visit locations at which pies may be available

transport back to the start point may be facilitated by special arrangement

the wearing of warm clothing is encouraged

…………………………………………………….

visit gettothecoast.co.uk again soon for updates

or send an email  to gettothecoast(at)gmail.com

Looking forward to blowing out some cobwebs? GTTC taking on the twitterati at https://twitter.com/TryanuaryMCR

There are plenty of new tastes for the new year and before that – shirts and posters available! But cycling is not just about trying out new breweries – don’t forget the pies!

And if you think this could all be too much then starting a new regime could not be easier than with ‘0-50k in 49 days’. Build up your cycling proficiency and stamina until you can complete some distance in time for a springtime or summer challenge. Perhaps a short ride for charity? Then – get to the coast!

More updates to follow soon!

visit gettothecoast.co.uk again soon for updates

or send an email  to gettothecoast(at)gmail.com

GTTC very pleased to attend successful launch for new campaign to increase and support walking and cycling to address universally accepted objectives.

Not sure how the idea of seeking to allow bikes on Metrolink on a trial basis is something which might be regarded as an objective for all of Greater Manchester. Perhaps try for something a bit more ambitious….. eg how about removing seats from half of every other carriage on all GM trains as well as trams? These could be replaced by folding down seats and more standing space as well as being accessible for more buggies, prams, wheelchairs and thereby increase attractiveness of trying to travel by public transport for a wider range of users – people not just of our tribe! It would also allow for more capacity with more standing room at peak times.

At GTTC while mainly enjoying substantial trips to get to the coast we also

• help businesses to promote more cycling to work;
• offer corporate cycle based entertainment; and
• seek to encourage a wider cycling and general activity movement with for example ‘0-50k in 49 days’

We look forward to supporting #walkbikegm under whatever name is eventually chosen for this great initiative.

More updates to follow soon!

visit gettothecoast.co.uk again soon for updates

or send an email  to gettothecoast(at)gmail.com

Planned rides from Irlam Station

Plans afoot for short – medium – and longer rides on a Sunday morning starting from Irlam Railway Station at 09:00 and designed in particular for people who are maybe not that fit; maybe not that experienced as cyclists; ‘reluctant returners’; and others wanting a bit of gentle exercise. An ideal complement to a personal fitness regime – like ‘0-50k in 49 days’! (on which see more below)

More rides and publicity material to follow – for now here is a short and a medium example. No need to wait until September! Try the rides yourself – any time while the sun is shining is a good time to start!

Irlam short circuit with walk alongside the moss

Irlam Astley Worsley Barton: mainly off road lanes and canal side

fitness regime off to flyer!

We are pleased to present (albeit in draft form!) a new flyer for your new fitness regime – ‘0-50k in 49 days!’

any and all comments welcome!

designed to help and encourage you with having a go with progressive cycling!

0- 50k does what it says – helps you to ride from a modest start to an achievable target!

0 to 50k in 49 days leaflet

and in other news…. GTTC supports Christie effort!

At GTTC we are very pleased to support fundraising efforts such as the phenomenal Manchester – Blackpool ride on behalf of the Christie Charitable Trust. We took a slight diversion (the never to be repeated and unique ‘Tour de Leyland’) off to slake the thirst en route https://www.facebook.com/themarketalehouse/ but otherwise managed the 100k route in some 7h30. For some this represented the longest bit of cycling for a number of years …… or ever!

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2837543185

The route back was long and arduous – the van coped better than the passengers with the traffic and a well deserved stop was enjoyed at the Dressers Arms in Wheelton http://www.dressersarms.co.uk/

Monies raised in a good cause – find fundraising link here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gettothecoast?newPage=True

Bikes and trains

WI-WI-WHI!!!

Just enjoyed a very pleasant coast to coast Walney Island – Whitby via Rylstone and Cracoe (? – WI!)

Highlights included Kirkby Lonsdale, Settle, Kettlewell, West Tanfield, Ripon, Wass Bank, Ampleforth Moor, Helmsley, Blakey Ridge …… and loads more in between

I took three and just a bit days – it was nice to do it like that with each day becoming easier!! On reflection though starting in Settle on Day 2 gave me no chance of beating the first hill without legs being warmed up. That was the only one that I had to walk up so this route is eminently feasible for anyone with a modicum of fitness and the right attitude

Day 1 Walney to Settle 120km 1170m elevation

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2764187335

Day 2 Settle to West Tanfield 93km 880m elevation

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2764187398

Day 3 West Tanfield to Blakey 82km 860m elevation

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2764187440

Day 4 Blakey Ridge to Whitby 37km 296m elevation

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2764187455

Once I develop the skill to upload albums there will be pictures to show!!!