Outskirts of Bolton to Chesterfield

[Garz]

Hi guys.

Can anybody help me take the best route if I was to tackle this journey, the difficult sections would be through the centre of manchester and hopefully avoid any deadly high speed/dual carriageways?

The A6 is a major part, would appreciate feedback on any people whom travel parts of this intended route.

TIA

Garz

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

i've had a look on google maps and it seems too direct for variations. after a short time commuting thru manchester, i can honestly say the drivers are ok. but just don't go at it like a bull in a china shop, it will just stress you out. watch out for the potholes; there are quite a few about, big ones in the bus lanes.hth.

 

[Landslide]

Once through Manchester, rather than take the A6 I'd suggest Chapel-en-le-Frith > Sparrowpit > Castleton > Hathersage as a quieter stretch.

 

[longers]

How about heading to Heaton Park, Middleton, Oldham, Glossop and then Landslides route suggestion?

I've not ridden the Bolton/Heaton Park/Middleton stretch but did get the route in reverse from Trio for the purpose of avoiding the A6.

 

[ColinJ]

Why not go the whole hog?

Rochdale, Littleborough, Milnrow, Newhey, Denshaw, Delph, Uppermill, Greenfield, Saddleworth Moor, Holme, Holme Moss, B6105 to Glossop, Snake Pass, Bamford, Hathersage, B6054, B6051, Chesterfield.

That's about 120 km (75 miles) with some nice hills.

 

[marinyork]

I'd do Lanslide's and then go Hathersage, Baslow A619 or if you're not liking that go pull off at Robin Hood and use the lanes.

 

[Garz]

Thanks for the replies people!

Colin I dont think I would enjoy that route only adding pressure with little margins for stuff like punctures.

I didnt really want to go the snake or woodhead pass routes as when I drive them they look horrible for a cyclist.

Landslide's suggestion sounds the best, still working out the best way of tackling swinton to stockport section, I guess if I leave really early I would avoid all the nutters..

 

[ColinJ]

I didnt really want to go the snake or woodhead pass routes as when I drive them they look horrible for a cyclist.

I don't like Woodhead Pass either. At least coming off Holme Moss and heading for the B6105 to Glossop, you only have to bomb along it for 1 km so that's less than 2 minutes.

I'm sure that the traffic up Snake Pass would be horrid at certain times of the day/days of the week but the last time I rode it wasn't too bad (about 11:00 on a Thursday morning).

Thinking about it - I didn't like the traffic last time I climbed up Saddleworth Moor either!

 

[SimonC]

Once through Manchester, rather than take the A6 I'd suggest Chapel-en-le-Frith > Sparrowpit > Castleton > Hathersage as a quieter stretch.

I'd go Chapel-Rushup Edge - Edale - Hope - Hathersage.....

Chapel/Sparrowpit/Peak Forest can get a few wagons on it.

 

[Garz]

Is that just to avoid winnats simon?

 

[marinyork]

Don't think the main road through the Hope Valley is that bad, I know a lot of people I know concoct weird bypass routes but I don't think it's that bad at all.

 

[Landslide]

Is that just to avoid winnats simon?

It's downhill if you're heading to Chesterfield!

Coming back, you've a choice of Winnats or Mam Nick. Both'll test you, but Winnats is the shorter route to walk!

 

[Garz]

Coming back, you've a choice of Winnats or Mam Nick. Both'll test you, but Winnats is the shorter route to walk!

Haha.. oops!

Any mancs able to guide me to the stockport end of A6 avoiding the dodgy busier roads (can start from walkden or pendlebury if thats any help)?

 

[SimonC]

Is that just to avoid winnats simon?

Nope, downhill on the way you're going, although I would probably avoid it downhill as well

I really like the road through the Edale valley, and I really dont like the road through Sparrowpit and Peak Forest - just a personal thing, but I do find there are certain roads I avoid in the Peak District - I will never use Grindleford hill or Baslow hill to get back to Sheff out of Peak District, will always use Frogatt Edge or back lane out of Hathersage instead. Strange!

 

[Garz]

Completed the journey there and back!

I would personally say there was more climbing going from Bolton > C'field. I definitely done the return leg a lot faster as there was more downhill. Am pretty exhausted now, was really nice scenery, some lonely moments and was a great weekend to do this mileage.

*

Oh and the rough stats: Total riding time 7hrs 15mins; Mileage 126 miles.