The Cuerden Valley ride is a regular feature on the Stockport Community Cycling Club calendar. However, I have missed the last couple of editions (though Sarah rode last year). This was the ride upon which my Crash and Burn moment occurred. I was back-leader on that day, and I started off as back-leader on today’s ride too.  Hopefully I would get a bit further this time.

It was a cool but thankfully day as a healthy group of riders turned up at Whittle-Le-Woods near Chorley.

We also collected our new club jerseys before the ride started.

The ride sets off through Cuerden Valley Park following NCN Route 55.

The Cuerden Valley Park cycle route crosses Lancaster Lane, the site of my infamous moment.

Thankfully I made it across this time.

We crossed the M6.

Then made our way through Bamber Bridge.

It was at this point where Sarah took over back-leading as she was feeling weary. It gave me a chance to see how my hip was healing, as I made my way further towards the front.

Next we entered the Preston Junction local nature reserve.

Passing the local sculptures we followed this trail to the edges of Preston.

At Preston we turned off into Avenham Park and stopped off for a coffee break at the Pavilion Cafe.

The egg and cheese barm I ordered came out on two pieces of toast instead, but that was fine. It wasn’t a place however where there were many vegetarian choices available (and my barm wasn’t actually on the menu either), and the gluten-free choice was even more sparse. In fact, sadly non-existent – Sarah had to settle for a bag of crisps.

After the coffee break we followed the River Ribble for a while. The last time I had cycled along this section was on our JOGLE Day 10 a couple of years back.

Before turning off and heading in the direction of Higher Walton.

At Walton-Le-Dale we split in to two groups. Some of us took the high road, and some the low one.

Those of us taking the higher road made our way through Higher Walton and then through the little hamlet of Gregson Lane where we started to climb.

We continued the climb up Hillhouse Lane.

Eventually reached the top of the lane.

Then dropped down over the M65.

Followed by another climb through Brindle. The views up here were fantastic.

Finally it was a fast drop down Denham Lane and back to the start.

We had enjoyed another great ride and cycled nearly 15 miles. You can view our Cuerden Valley route below:

The alternative group (including Sarah) had followed the low road of Chorley Road and returned through Bamber Bridge.

They then picked up the Cuerden Valley Park trail again.

Where they spotted some frogs in the reeds.

They continued to follow the trail back to the start.

Their lower road route had covered nearly 13 miles.