Pennine Cycleway Map Guided Ride | Community Rail Lancashire

Connecting East Lancashire, in partnership with Pendle Borough Council and Community Rail Lancashire, organised a guided bike ride which took place on Tuesday the 29^th of March 2022 and the riders took in some of the wonderful scenery of the Pennine Cycleway.

Images promoting the Pennine Cycleway can now be seen on the cycle shelter situated on the car park of Brierfield Station and the revised Pennine Cycleway map can be found at Dockray Street car park in Colne, Greenfield Road car park near the canal and at the entrance onto the canal towpath on Clitheroe Road, Brierfield. Whilst this particular guided ride was organised specifically for partners and representatives from Northern and Community Rail Lancashire who were involved in the original Brierfield Station project celebration event, held on the 2^nd of December 2021, it is hoped that more guided rides can be offered for the wider community in future.

Brierfield Station is the perfect place to explore Lancashire and is ideally located to access outdoor locations along the Pennine Cycleway, many of which are on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal which is just a three-minute walk from Brierfield Station and is clearly signposted.

Twelve people took part in the led ride of around four miles. Go Velo, who provide cycle training for both children and adults, led the ride and also provided bikes and helmets for those who needed them. Refreshments were available courtesy of Connecting East Lancashire at the stop off point, the Steven Burke cycle track. Details of the organisations involved can be found in the links below.

Amanda Jenkinson, Project Officer at Connecting East Lancashire said, “It’s been wonderful to organise this event and see people come together and enjoy the fresh air and, thankfully, the weather was kind to us. The route included some of the Pennine Cycleway, with the majority of the ride being completely off road. Special thanks go to the Chair of the South Fylde Line Community Rail Partnership, Tony Ford, who, although didn’t take part in the ride itself, came over to see the wonderful artwork installed at the station”

Richard Watts, Chair of Community Rail Lancashire explained, “Brierfield has many Hidden Gems which have been revealed in the lovely artwork recently unveiled in the cycle shelter at the communities station. The station is located close to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal which offers plenty of walking and cycling opportunities. CRL is proud to have supported the guided cycle tour and hopes that it introduced participants to the lovely scenery around the town as well as to the local rail service. The station benefits from the care taken of it by the local Friends of Pendle Stations who look after the flower beds and generally make sure everything is in working order. When visiting the station take time to look at the photos in the ‘Connecting Brierfield’ poster case which includes local people in nearby locations.”

Kirsti Grayson, Director of Go Velo said, “Go Velo and our dedicated instructors love working with Pendle Borough Council and other partners to encourage people to cycle and to use the superb local infrastructure and cycle facilities. The route we took was designed to take in the canal tow path, Steven Burke Sports Hub and to start and finish at Brierfield Station. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.”