Been a bit busy recently with inaugural ‘Ride Hope:Hope to be a Tour Guide’ swiftly followed by a trip to #TdY and then our very own #RideoffourHope and a quick spin round Manchester courtesy of Tour de Manc.

Next up #FlixtontoFulford taking used inner tubes to Cycle of Good in Stoke on 19 May. Not sure that anyone is up for riding an elephant bike even though the main route is across the flatlands of Cheshire. Let us know if you think that could be you – or if you fancy the elephant suit (really!  … pics to follow!).

In Brexit Busting Bike Bus news the Cherbourg:Dieppe pathfinder was a pretty great success! Absent any major hiccup there was wine! Biere! Snoring! Very pleasant weather and splendid – tho’ not very challenging – cycling!

‘Le winter training #1 d’excellence’ took place just a week after the last really cold snap and it was really very pleasant to traverse the quiet roads and cycle paths of the Cotentin peninsula and Calvados.

BBBB (2nd ed.) le Dunkerque:Dieppe is in planning stages now so if you wish to participate in this pathfinder get in touch with GetToTheCoast. Dates yet to be confirmed but it will likely be either 3-7 July (with potential TdF viewing) or 4-8 September.

Meanwhile the alphabet of alliteration continues to fill up with a new addition to the F’in selection – Flixton:Fulford. This ride will be inaugurated on 19 May when there will be a delivery of used inner tubes to Cycle of Good We are promised an elephant suit for a suitably bold rider and an elephant bike for anyone willing to try one out! This is a free ride-along provided by GTTC as part of our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. There will be support in form of the bus driven by a volunteer which will carry any spare tubes which you might wish to bring to deliver to the project in Stoke.

We have been pleased to provide some very enjoyable gentle rides out to Cheshire. Featuring stops at Moulton we have travelled the Whitegate Way and Delamere Forest amongst other places on ‘Gentle Cheshire Wednesdays’ (wot? no alliteration?) ok – more properly called ‘Midweek Meanders’.

Finally in this news update ….. the return of RIDEoffourHOPE. Another ride-along with free support provided by GTTC this year to be run on Saturday 4 May. Hope Hospital! Hope Inn! Hope beer! Hope Derbyshire! All in a day’s riding!

HOPE:HOPE (or, more fully Holyhead – Hope (Fli.) – Hope (Derbys.) – Hull) is one of a number of iconic rides on the GTTC alphabet of alliteration!

Now GTTC offer you a bespoke shorter version over two days to experience many of the learning issues which will ultimately be required if you want to become a Tour Guide!

two days cycling and learning * pleasant leafy lanes in flatlands of Cheshire plain * challenging climbing into the Peak District * comfortable accommodation * plentiful refreshment

also features

*substantial historic, cultural, and industrial heritage experiences *

* Chester – Roman Walls – Cheshire – mines – Peaks – caves *

* two nights accommodation *

* all meals *

* 28  – 30 April from £335 *

This morning saw a tweet by one Katie Deacon @Katie_Cakes ~

“If you were me would you go to Helmsley or Harrogate tomorrow? There must be cake!”

You can guess what followed – an immediate trip to Green Flag Route Planner! Transpires that its only a hop skip and a cycle from Harrogate to Helmsley and so was formulated another great GTTC addition to the alliteration alphabet.

Not yet sure when the first edition will be inaugurated but we note that TdY is coming on soon and we’ll already be in that neck of the woods for that so it might be that we can do it then….

Oh the lovely joys of social media! A great tool if/when you can button it when/if necessary!  Thanks for the inspiration Katie! There shall be cake!

Very much enjoyed an outing to Moulton and westbound including stops at Whitegate Station Cafe and Manor Farm, Tattenhall (Old Ma’s)

This is an example of stressless gentle riding for those who are looking for relaxation and a bit more fitness rather than a lung- and leg- busting challenge such as Hope:Hope, or FFin’ ABC (both (c) GTTC!)

Starting and finishing at The Lion, Moulton with an opportunity for a refresher before beating the rush hour home! That’s what we call ‘Park and Ride’ at GTTC!

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3422290815

And in more modern news ‘hashtagging’ is here! Hoping not to attract the wrong kind of attention with #allthebestdates here are some upcoming planned rides

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