25th August 2022: Waddington - Special Ride (mod)

On Wednesday morning it looked like it could be just me and Steve Tan travelling up to Whalley, which having recced the route just two days ago with Keith, was not an ideal outcome for staging a club ride. John Mills was very interested, but would he really want to tolerate my slow progress in such hilly country all day? In the end, John, Alan, and Andy Barber also fancied the route enough to rise early, and make the drive north.  Tastebuds in Whalley proved an ideal meeting place once again. The staff were very friendly, and opened a separate dining room for us. We enjoyed tasty light breakfast offerings, before departing a little after ten.

The rising lane after Sabden Brook was a very steep introduction to the variety of climbs ahead. The quiet, narrow lane that followed emerged from a green grotto onto the ridge of Padiham Heights, with its beautiful views across the moors to the left, and over the old industrial towns such as Burnley and Brierfield to our right. We took Steve Hughes' advised route to Barley via Roughlee, which worked out well, and avoided a couple of heart attack climbs on the Newchurch route. Steve used to live at nearby Higham, and if his son had not been visiting from faraway, would no doubt have joined us. Alan is also familiar with the area, as Steve and Alan have been mates since their schooldays, and they have ridden together up here. Close by is the only remaining Clarion Room in the country, and, perhaps, the grave of at least one of the “Pendle Witches” in St.Mary's churchyard, Newchurch. There is also a metal statue of Alice Nutter on the roadside to Blacko, installed in 2012, as part of the four hundredth anniversary remembrance of the Pendle Witches.

The climb around the dominating Pendle Hill is quite a slog, but before we hurtle down to Downham there is a stunning panoramic view all the way to the Yorkshire Dales to the north-east. Some claim that Downham is the most beautiful village in Lancashire, certainly it is attractive and unspoilt. It has been used for filming, and there are no Sky dishes to spoil the appearance. Whistle Down The Wind was filmed here in 1961 starring Hayley Mills and Alan Bates. The Assheton Arms has closed, which is a shame. Climbing out of the village we pass Downham Hall, the family seat of the Assheton family and Lord Clitheroe. We head for Waddington and lunch via Chatburn, crossing a pretty section of the River Ribble into Grindleton. Lunch was a sandwich or a starter sitting outside the Higher Buck in the centre of the village. This pub is very pleasant, and the food and service is reliably of a high standard. Nevertheless, I hope that we will try The Inn at Waddington sometime in the future, I just wasn't sure if the chef was back after his hip operation, and if so, was he moving quickly enough? And if they still had a “light bites” menu.

Photos by AO

After lunch we followed a secluded back road across the hillside, with a tricky little, steep up- and -down at Talbot Bridge. We passed Browsholme Hall, before reaching Cow Ark and enacting my cunning plan for the next section of the ride. Steve led a loop on a designated “Quiet Lane” past the Wild Boar Park with fantastic views at the highest point, and I saved my legs, by taking the shortest route over to Whitewell, and going my own pace, up the picturesque Hodder Valley, to Dunsop Bridge, Newton, and Slaidburn. Newton has an excellent restaurant, The Parkers Arms, frequented by Gourmet Tan, it also has a very tough climb out! I took two minutes in beautiful Slaidburn to sit on a bench in the sunshine surrounded by flowers while I had a drink. The hairpin climb out of Slaidburn was just about manageable, and I waited up the road in the shade waiting for the peloton. They had covered just over four miles more than me, so they had done well to nearly make the catch before I had stopped. Altogether now, as we crossed the fellside, and then enjoyed a long, fast descent to Holden Clough Garden Centre for a last break and drink. The garden centre was being further developed, but we eventually located the Shepherds Hut and sat chatting in the sun, in the knowledge that the run-in back to Whalley would be relatively easy.  As we approached Sawley from Holden, Sawley Lodge looked magnificent on the far side of the River Ribble. We crossed the river, passing the ruins of Sawley Abbey before ferreting around on paths and lanes to Chatburn, Worston (Where we once had a cream tea at the Calf 's Head), and crossing the A59 for a car-free few miles past Standen Hall. We completed the ride with a brisk couple of miles through Barrow and back to our parked cars at Whalley. Fifty very scenic miles covered, and nearly 4,500 feet climbed. I appreciate the support of Alan, Andy and John in travelling up, solo, from further away than Steve and myself. I really enjoyed their company, and having the opportunity to talk to John in more than just one-liners about Everton! Also, thanks to Keith for joining me on Tuesday's scouting mission.                             

See route map and/or gpx file download

DH

15th August 2019: Special Ride Ribble and Hodder Valleys - Whalley to Waddington

We weren't supposed to be here! Last Thursday I had ridden a recce in the Peak District in order to clarify a route for today. Steve Tan had kindly accompanied me, as we rode above Toddbrook reservoir, the one with the damaged dam, at Whaley Bridge. Most of the roads were open, but Lyme Park was strictly closed, and we had climbed over 4,000ft before returning to our starting point at Redes Mere. We had a fine day out, but the many steep climbs made it too hard a route for us to relish riding again in seven days’ time, never mind inflicting on others. Hence, we were now sitting in Tastebuds cafe in Whalley, as part of 'Plan B': to ride an alternative scenic route, this time in Lancashire, and not as severe.

Everybody had enjoyed a relatively straightforward journey, although Graeme's car was spotted coming into the village from the wrong direction, having missed their intended turn through chatting. From well inside the cafe, I thought I had seen Andy pass by. Then he bobbed into view travelling in the opposite direction. I managed to get to the door in time to give him a shout. It felt like the fairground stall where you needed a pole with a hook to catch the passing ducks! We were soon tucking in to bacon rolls, giant teacakes and coffee. The party consisted of Andy Barber, Graeme, Jim, Dave Pipe, Steve Tan and myself.

Photos by Andy B

I had planned to stop and look at places of interest, so first off we visited Whalley Abbey, on the banks of the River Calder. The abbey was founded in 1296, when the Cistercian monks of Stanlaw (Stanlow) moved there from a flood-prone site on the on the Cheshire shores of the River Mersey near Ellesmere Port. It is interesting to note that Whalley has suffered some bad flooding in recent times. I am not sure how this may have affected the site of the abbey.  Next stop had us swooping down the lanes, past Salesbury Hall to Ribchester Bridge. In Ribchester we viewed the Roman Baths and stood above a big sweep of the River Ribble.  A fort had been built here by the Romans in AD72, and it was a crossing point for Chester, York and Lancaster roads.

Back on our bikes, we were soon wandering up a rural cul-de-sac to view the attractive almshouse at Stydd. Built by the Shireburn family in 1728, it originally housed The Poor, and is now converted to four flats. Cue more photographs. We climbed up to Hurst Green, passing another lovely almshouse before passing the gate posts of Stonyhurst College grounds. Turning the corner at the top of the hill and viewing the magnificent baroque building below is a stunning site. Please use Google if you would like to know more; there is too much history to tell here. The list of famous alumni is impressive in itself.  By the time we had whooshed down past Cromwell's Bridge on the River Hodder, and then climbed back up, and passed Bashall Town, it became obvious that we had a dilemma. Despite our modest mileage, our sightseeing and leisurely winding up lush green hills, meant that it was time for lunch already! There was a definite 'Last of the Summer Wine' feel to our progress. To be fair, left to their own natural pace, Andy and Steve would have been miles up the road tucking into lunch at The Inn at Whitewell by now. The Higher Buck at Waddington had always been a considered alternative, and the staff were friendly and the food very good.

Lunch hadn't been quick, so after consultation with Steve who had been in this area with me before, we decided to give pretty Chipping and its high, quiet lane out, a miss this time. We wended our way past Colthurst Hall with views across the valley through sun dappled leaves. There was one 'arrow' I had forgotten at Talbot Bridge! We passed Browsholme Hall and turned onto the straight course of the York to Ribchester Roman road. A beautiful, wooded, downhill cruise alongside the waters of The Hodder and past The Inn at Whitewell followed. The inn was a manor house in the 14^th. Century, lived in by keepers of the Royal Forest. It is still part of the Duchy of Lancaster estate and owned by the Queen. The strong wind was more in our favour now as we headed for Dunsop Bridge, Newton and Slaidburn with the Yorkshire Dales in sight beyond. The sun was out and the scenery cycling up the valley was delightful. There were plenty of large undulations to tire the legs, mind you! Slaidburn is a lovely village, but there is a sting in the tail if you wish to continue towards Ribblesdale: a hard, hairpinned haul uphill. We neared our turn-off to head over the shoulder of the fell and then pile downhill, hopefully for coffee and cake. Jim announced that he was 'knackered' at this point. I told him that it was nearly all downhill from here, but he was as reluctant to accept my words as if his GP had made the same judgement! There is a good cafe/restaurant at Holden Clough Nursery, less than four miles away, but we needed to get there before last orders at 4.30p.m. The last two miles are an outstanding downhill run. Steve, Graeme and Andy scouted ahead.

Thankfully we all made it, and we received a friendly welcome. The Bakewell tarts were the best Graeme and I had ever tasted. Behind schedule, but suitably fortified, we headed home via Sawley Abbey, the side of theA59, Chatburn and Worston. Just a few, flat miles back now. In the interest of time and Graeme's bike battery, the valley side route through Pendleton and Wiswell was rejected. Despite winding the pace up with Dave Pipe over the last stretch into Whalley, it was still 6pm when we reached the cars. Steve tells me that we covered 49 miles and climbed 2,600 feet. When so many were on holiday, I appreciated the support and excellent company of those who made the effort at short notice.

See route map and/or gpx file download

DH

23rd April 2015: Ribble Valley (mod)

With Dave’s recommended driving time just about spot on we all assembled at the café fairly close to 9 o’clock. With the prospect of a long day ahead Dave P was taking no chances with possible malnutrition and was already chomping his way through a full English when the rest settled down for the customary tea and teacakes. With Dave H threatening a 60+ mile route, four of us: Dave and Liz on the tandem, Trevor and Jim opted for a revised 45 mile version, to be followed at a much more leisurely pace. 

From Whalley we went east over the A671 and up the lanes towards Padiham Heights. The views were magnificent if a little hazy due to the surprisingly warm weather and we were soon removing our top layers as we continued to climb up to the top of the ridge. Soon, however, we were descending quickly, and after a short stop at the famous Clarion Room, pressed on northwards to Newchurch and Barley. The easy riding soon ended with a long slog up towards Pendle Hill followed by a welcome thrash steeply down to Downham. Here we paused briefly to study the unique design of the local toilets before pressing on through Chatburn to our lunch stop at the Higher Buck at Waddington. The service was excellent and we sat soaking up the sun by a dribbling stream, before leaving less than an hour later.  

Westwards to Hodder Bridge was very relaxing, tootling along enjoying the scenery, but we were soon faced with another long uphill round the north side of Pendle before dropping down to Chipping. We had just turned north towards the wild boar farm when the brisk group appeared. We set a very relaxed pace up the west side of the Hodder valley to give them a chance to get ahead (they had several more coffee stops to complete) and we were soon heading back south past the Whitewell Hotel and then eastwards to Bashall Eaves. We skipped a possible coffee stop here and instead opted to continue back to Whalley where we re-convened at our breakfast stop. 

44 miles of good riding, some downhills and great scenery: much better than tiling the bathroom!   

JD

17th July 2010: Ribble and Hodder Valley

The day started with nine riders, two cars, a white van, seven solos and a tandem on the motorway in the rain heading for Whalley in the Ribble Valley.  After parking up and a visit to Whalley’s luxurious public toilets it was time for Dave to lead us out on NCR 90 over the River Calder.  We were soon on quiet lanes heading west to cross the Ribble at Ribchester Bridge before entering the lovely town of Ribchester.  Here Dave led us through the back streets to visit the Roman Baths and the Museum before arriving at the Tea Shop Café for our first stop and much needed refreshment.

It was well past 11.00 hours by the time we left and it would be a while before the weather started to dry up.  After passing the impressive arms houses at Hurst Green we approached Stoneyhurst College from the west before joining last years route to Chipping.

Photographs by Bryan Wade and Ivan Davenport

Dave offered the choice of a stop for a quick half or pressing on towards the fells.  Fearing that a quick half could easily turn into a leisurely pint the group decided to keep going.  For me the next section of the ride, up past Wild Boar Park and on to what must be the most isolated telephone box in the country, is hard to beat.  The sun came out and the views were superb and then there’s the prospect of the fast sweeping descent down to Burholme Bridge over the Hodder.  Pity about the Landrover that nearly took out Jane and Jim!

Undeterred we regrouped at the bridge before heading down stream following the Hodder through Whitewell until two sharp left turns took us onto the Roman road and a climb up to the impressive lodge of Browsholme Hall.  With lunch beckoning at the Lower Buck pub in Waddington we only had the narrow attractive lane and Talbot Bridge to navigate.  All seemed well as we passed the spot where Jonathan had a puncture last year.  At the B road we regrouped to find we were missing Mike G; so while Ivan went back the rest of us rode the final half-mile to lunch.

Just as last year the Lower Buck did us proud with a reserved room for the group (Dave Heath, Bryan, Graham & Jane T, Ivan, Liz & Dave P, Jim and Mike G), and a good choice of food and ale, including Hen Harrier.  Before long Ivan and Mike G appeared: Mike having punctured at a similar spot to Jonathan last year!  All too soon it was time to leave and start the final section of the ride with our last crossing of the Ribble followed by a climb up to Downham.  From here it was an easy run back to the cars at Whalley with 46 miles clocked.
Thanks go to Dave for making it all possible.  An excellent ride in true Chester Easy Riders style.
See route map and/or gpx file download.
BW

11th October 2009: Ribble Valley

Sunday morning at 8.45am by the Hoole roundabout and a group of people are loading bicycles into a large white van.  Is this the result of nefarious night-time activities?  Are the bicycles destined for the black market?  But no: this marks the start of two firsts for Chester Easy Riders, our first away ride and our first Sunday ride.  And what a start: 14 members and guest riders registered, with 12 at the meet in Hoole.

Dave has been planning for today’s ride over the last month but even he has no control over the weather, so although we have been enjoying beautiful autumn weather over the last few weeks the journey up the motorway to the Ribble Valley is distinctly wet!  The ride start point is Whalley Abbey where Dave has arranged pre-ride refreshments at the café.  Here we meet up with Tony and Jonathan Small who have made their own way to the Abbey.  Then with everyone present its time for the off in light rain and with a heartfelt farewell from a local resident!
Dave leads us off at a steady pace past the impressive medieval church at Great Mitton heading for Hurst Green through the grounds of the impressive Stonyhurst College.  Here we stop to admire the architecture while Glennys records the moment.  Then looping back we re-cross the River Hodder and skirt around Longridge Fell before a comfort stop in Chipping.  This pretty village and its cyclist’s café deserve more attention than we have time for today: perhaps next year?  Turning northeast we head uphill until just before Wild Boar Park, Dave punctures. While a small group watch with encouraging remarks the puncture is fixed and we are off again.  Riding quietly along at the back of the group I am struck by the peace and tranquillity of the area: even the sheep and cattle seem more relaxed than those on the Cheshire plain.  It’s not hard to understand why Dave loves the area so much.  Then we leave the ridge for an exhilarating swooping descent down to Burholme Bridge.  By the time we make Dunsop Bridge it is 2.00pm so we stop at the café for a tea/coffee and cake.  While Dave rings ahead to warn our lunch venue that we are running late the rest of us take the opportunity to chat, and with seven guest riders joining us from groups across the C&NWCTC area there is much to talk about.  The ride to Waddington takes us through Whitewell with the river below us as we ride through the valley before turning uphill to Cow Ark past Browsholme Hall where, with only 10 minutes of riding before our eagerly awaited lunch stop, Jonathan punctures.  Eventually arriving at the busy Lower Buck pub in Waddington at 3.45pm we are given a warm welcome and are relieved to find that food is still being served.  It may be late but this is truly an inspired choice: an excellent range of cask ales from which I choose the Black Cat (its great to have the opportunity to try a good traditional mild) and a range of delicious home made meals to choose from.  One couldn’t wish for a better stop.

Photographs by Glennys Hammond

It’s after 5.00pm by the time we leave the pub so Dave wisely decides to shorten the route back to Whalley where we arrive just before 6.00pm with 40 miles completed and an appreciation of the rugged beauty and interest of the Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland.  Many thanks Dave.  All your planning and hard work paid off, for this was a truly memorable ride.  A return trip next year?  Yes please: you can put me at the top of the list.

BW