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A couple of my colleagues have floated the idea of doing the TPT for an awareness week in Sep. As I’ll get roped into organising some of this if not actually doing it, has anyone got an advice, e.g. how long, where are the sensible stops, what is the surface likely to be (I assume they’ll be doing it on the gravel bike and hybrid they already own…), are there any useful guide books etc?
I think if they could do Southport to Stockport in a day that would be helpful?
It's pancake flat on that section, so very achievable if your friends are more casual riders. Surface is mainly very good, although there are a few softer sections there are no quagmires. Will get quite muddy clothes if its wet or been raining.
The plague of restrictor gates is slowly easing as they are incrementally removed, but there are still loads left. I like that stretch, find it interesting, but it's not conventionally scenic Liverpool to Manc.
Loop line section through Liverpool passes through the inner sanctum of Scally-dom in a deep railway cutting with spaced exit points. Just something to be aware of - no problems if you start at Southport in the am.
Thanks, that’s useful. One of my wife’s mates (who was then commuting by bike) did it about ten years ago but by her own account wasn’t aiming for speed.
Back of a fag packet plan has them being seen off by Southport colleagues in the morning. Can Stockport to Hornsea be done relatively easily over two days?
I've onlye ridden it to Barnsley way going eastwards, so don't know past that sry. Distance wise 2 days Stockport - Hornsea sounds right for an easy touring sort of pace.
Definitely doable oin 2 days pootling from Stockport. I've done the whole thing in a day.... it's a flat enough route on the whole. There was a rough bit on Woodhead Pass for about 500m you can ride on the road easy enough to avoid it, if needed.
There was a rough bit on Woodhead Pass for about 500m you can ride on the road easy enough to avoid it, if needed.
That's probably the best bit.
Bearing in mind these aren't mountain bikers...
It's also a bit rough coming out of Reddish Vale, and coming out of Tame Valley near Gee Cross, but it's fine on a CX/gravel bike - might be a push on a hybrid. Also before Stockport, the section from Sale waterpark through to Parrs Wood is very rough in places by the side of the river - potentially very muddy depending on weather, but again it's OK on a gravel bike.
I did York (joins E-W TPT at Selby) to Liverpool, overnight with friends in Stockport, last weekend. All on the TPT. Loved it! Some thoughts:
I was pleased to have the MTB (Sonder Broken Road hardtail 29er) rather than the 700c tourer. If dry it would be fine on a gravel bike or hybrid, but I'd have been rattled around a bit without the front forks. All very rideable, but definitely rough and muddy at times.
It's all quite flat, but not boring. Spectacular section across from near Doncaster up to Penistone and beyond. Grand across the Pennines, and I was glad to avoid the busy main road across the tops. These high bridleways were the only real "mountain biking", and would still be rideable by most people on most bikes (with maybe a few pushes up/down steps).
Route finding was very easy, and you're always close to facilities - I know organising these things is a challenge, but the infrastructure is in your favour for this one.
I was in no rush, but York-Stockport (Hazel Grove) took me all the available daylight. This was mid-November. I imagine you'll be fine in September unless there's mud or mishaps. Lots of non-TPT road shortcuts in the Selby-Bentley section if necessary, although I enjoyed the diversions.
Have just found out it's likely to be the last week in Sep. Lights might be called for...
Sale to Ainsdale on the TPT takes me 3 and a bit hours at a reasonably sedate pace. I always think it's going to take longer and set off early, then end up sat on the beach for hours, eating ice cream waiting for the family to turn up