And I mean [i]easy[/i].
Planning on taking the OH on a spin tomorrow- haven't checked the forecast so this may or may not happen.
She's got zero experience on a mtb and will be riding a BSO, so looking for something relatively short (<15miles), technically easy and with good views within an hour of Manchester.
Doesn't have to be a trail centre obviously, probably better if not actually from a scenery point of view. Bridleways etc I'd assume- I'm Scottish and don't really understand English access laws, so whatever's allowed!
Cheers
Paul
Delamere Forest? Nice and wide flat fire roads and a decent cafe at the end.
http://www.delamerebikes.co.uk/bike-hire/where-to-ride
Hollingworth Lake?
Nice ride round, cafe's pubs etc.
If she fancies a bit more, you could take the Rochdale Canal towpath to Todmorden or Hebden and get the train back to Littleborough.
I've ridden a bit of Delamere with a mate before, but we were doing some of the off piste stuff- wasn't sure how much easy stuff there was? Will have a look, cheers!
Philips Park and the parks that link up to it. There's some flat singletrack, basically dont take her down the DH(lite) runs near the entrance. There's paths along the river, if you take the bridge over the M60 you'll link up to a flat path in the trees to Radcliffe. Plenty to keep you occupied without any risk. Views arent that interseting, nice pub near the start too.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.5382056,-2.3029905,18z
rivington?
some nice easy stuff. plus cafes and stuff for after?
Cheers for the suggestions so far, she's liking the sound of cafe/pub facilities 😆
Another vote for Rivington
Or Scout Moor, above Ramsbottom
The access roads for the wind turbines are really easy, yet you're up high, with good views over Rochdale to Manchester. Email me for a pdf or a gpx, if you're interested.
+1 for scout moor. Start and finish in edenfield,lunch at the drop off cafe. Sorted
God, not Scout Moor.
She's got zero experience on a mtb and will be riding a BSO
Yeah it's a steady drag but whichever way you go you still need bike-fit legs and lungs to haul yourself up there without hating it, and in the current weather it'll be total foggy shite anyway.
Ladybower too far away? Nice and easy riding round there. Go to [url= https://is.gd/CYwPAN ]Fairholmes[/url], ride north up the road on the west side of the reservoirs, then back down the track on the east side. About 20km tops, very little climbing, nice views even if the clouds are in, bit of WW2 history, feels like The Great Outdoors without being too bleak. There's a little food hatch thingy at Fairholmes, does nice bacon sarnies and that, or a couple of OK pubs not too far away (Snake Pass, Ladybower Inn).
The [url= http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/trails/monsaltrail ]Monsal Trail[/url] out in the White Peak is also excellent and should be within an hour or so. Lots of nice views, tunnels (with lights) to ride through, tourist info boards to stop and look at, absolutely no hills to speak of. It's an out and back but from either end it's a nice 1.5-2 hour ride for a novice.
Bike-fit legs? Some of us aren't "too posh to push" 😳
Monsal trail, stunning views, flat as a pancake, cafe stops here and there and if she's had enough by the time you get to bakewell then you can just tank it back to wherever you parked and get the car while she gets pissed in the pub.
My 5 year old managed it easy enough!
https://www.strava.com/activities/410210543
Bike-fit legs? Some of us aren't "too posh to push"
I just assumed that OP is trying to entice his other half into riding a bit, rather than attempting to put her off for life. I love Scout Moor, and the rest of the South Pennines too, even in the rain, but then I'm a bit weird. Making someone drag a bike over a massive post-industrial bog covered in wind turbines in the drizzle ain't going to sell the activity to a normal person. 😉
😆
First MTB ride Mrs S did was Rochdale Canal.
She liked that.
Second was Penmachno.
Bad Spanner.
😐
If you put your head outside for a minute, the noise you can hear is her reminding me of this, 11 years on.
Luckily, I can laugh about it now.
Only if she's not about, obviously.
Not Scout Moor, for pity's sake.
Lots of nice suggestions...
here's another:
Start in Marple and take the Middlewood Way all the way down to Bollington, then loop back on the Macclesfield canal to rejoin at Poynton, as per the following link:
http://www.theaa.com/bike-rides/middlewood-way-418730
Apologies for providing an AA link, especially after their recently published 'Cyclist Highway Code' that was superbly reviewed here on Singletrack the other day.
She's got zero experience on a mtb and will be riding a BSO, so looking for something relatively short (<15miles), technically easy and with good views within an hour of Manchester.
It's a nice ride up the Mersey from Sale/chorton to Stockport. Very gentle and flat.
I dont think Delamere will have enough to keep you occupied. Its not a huge place, and its only fun when you're riding the off piste stuff. On the weekend its very busy with walkers / families / kids etc.
I was also going to suggest a ride along the Mersey. Flat,gentle and loads of families ride it. Not the most spectacular views but you have to earn those and it's nice enough. I should add that there are plenty of pub options along the way.
Come to Blackpool and ride up and down the prom! 😉
Plenty of easy tracks to ride at Rivington and you've got the option of heading up the hill or just pottering round the reservoirs and lower side of the hill - if the climb doesn't turn out to be a go-er.
Views are alright...
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Some good suggestions so far.
Ladybower
Monsal trail
Delamere
All ones that sprung to mind and ones we did with the children (still do Delamere as that has the off piste stuff).
The main 'view' at Delamere is Blakemere Moss, but there are lots of other nice bits. You could go to the bike park bit for a quick mess about if you don't mind splitting off for a few mins.
Monsal has lots of pubs/cafes along the way/nearby and can be pretty in parts. Too straight for my tastes but ymmv.
Ladybower by far the most open and scenic imo. Picnic at Slippery Stones if it's nice. I wouldn't bother with anything south of Fairhomes Visitor Centre. Only food available is there though.
No real views on the specific bit I was on, so it's maybe kinda out on that point, (although [url= http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure,_culture_and_tourism/ranger_service/countryside_sites/middlewood_way/middlewood_way.aspx ]the website[/url] does say 'fine views') but I suddenly found myself on a stretch of the Middlewood Way whilst out running from Stockport earlier this week and was pretty impressed by it.