Manchester to Blackpool Night Ride 29-30th September 2012

[SquareDaff]

That makes 7 of us. Still deciding what to wear - it's been quite cold the last couple of mornings. Will see what the weather trend is next week.

 

[craven2354]

Do we have a official meeting place? I don't know my way around the Trafford centre/ Barton square so wouldn't mind a pic of a map with the meeting place on

 

[SquareDaff]

One floor plan (see page 2):
http://www.traffordcentre.co.uk/media/CentreGuides/webmap_Autumn12.pdf

I believe we were planning on meeting on the upper desk of Selfridges - I assume this means top floor for us Yorkshire people!

 

[craven2354]

May be a stupid question but why are we meeting on a 2nd floor when we have bikes?

 

[SquareDaff]

I had wondered the same thing - not being a local I just assumed that the complex is built on a gradient and the top floor is actually at ground level on that side of the building.

 

[Gez73]

I'm not sure we'll be able to get into the Trafford centre proper at that time when it's not trading. Barton Square is a separate complex. I think we'll need to meet somewhere outside the Centre and Barton Square too unless we meet up early. Last year we all congregated outside Next in The Barton Square complex prior to being released in groups.

 

[Gez73]

 

[Gez73]

It's outside but within the Barton Square complex if you follow. There was no access to the Centre or shops and the start point was at ground level. Next Home is on the left of that photo. not sure what level of the shop is on ground level but it makes no odds as we can't access the shops anyway. Just checked that map. We left through the red dot at point M1 on the map having grouped in the middle area. Registration and that was located further back in the dry area.

 

[craven2354]

When I get home I'll look at the map they supplied and see if there is a better place as you've been before gez do you know where the best place would be?

 

[Gez73]

Not really, I went straight in and waited in the middle area. Outside the Legoland place might be a better place. There were bikes everywhere within the start area last year so probably outside or at one of the marshalled carparks near to Barton Square might be better.We can work something out in the meantime.

 

[SportMonkey]

I'm not sure we'll be able to get into the Trafford centre proper at that time when it's not trading. Barton Square is a separate complex. I think we'll need to meet somewhere outside the Centre and Barton Square too unless we meet up early. Last year we all congregated outside Next in The Barton Square complex prior to being released in groups.

Barton Square is busy, and AFAIK there are no barriers on the car parks, so meeting on the upper deck of the parking right by Barton Square will enable us to all find one another.

[Edit]
And it's where I cycle to if my wife wants to meet me to go shopping after work.

 

[Gez73]

That sounds reasonable. We might have to travel through to the other side after meeting up so as to get to the start line and be released. I reckon it will be manic in the start-off area in the initial stages. Not likely to be over that way before the event so will trust those who know better. We were marshalled to a nearby car-park and I cycled across a couple of roads to get to the Square and start line.

 

[RoadieT]

Another cheap skate Yorkshire question, will we need to pay for parking?

 

[Gez73]

I don't think you will need to pay but check elsewhere.

 

[craven2354]

Do you to sign in when your there? Or is having your number on sufficient?