M6 stop off

Cannock? Close enough to the M6 but probably not far enough north

Thank you - yeah did consider that but would like to get a bit further up the country I think

Cannock?

Edit - OK, you've ruled that out (wisely IMO)

Gisburn's probably your best bet if you want signposted trails. Llandegla is probably not much further from the M6 in terms of time.

Plenty of canals round about wigan.

Or even Bamber bridge get on leeds Liverpool to chorley and rivington

Bimble alternative, Lancaster, j 33 or 34 , canal, glasson dock, coast cycle track

The one I usually recommend in this scenario is Pooley Bridge on the N E corner of Ullswater.

I realise it is not a TC, but it is excellent and close to M6

Up the road/ track to cockpit

Lovely mellow descent to Howtown. Couple of bits around Martindale

And if you're really up for it then lovely challenging Bridleway up to Boredale Hause then an excellent descent to Ullswater. Refuel then to the excellent ( but damn techie) Ullswater Bridleway back to Howtown, then road to Pooley.

Excellent route ( caveat Volvor: this usually means challenging and engaging when I say it ,;-) )

A bimble around Great Asby Scar way starting in Orton, quite a few bridleways, low Fells and back roads to use. About 5 min from J38.

You can use the Tebay Services Hotel entrance to get back onto the M6/grab coffee/food.

up and down the Calf from Sedbergh (multiple nice coffee options on the high street, easy parking on Howgill Land. Bridleway up from Lockbank Farm bypassing Winder on east and up the ridge. Can be cleaned bar one steep corner. Down the same way you went up or over Wnder Summit and multiple options down for something slightly more interesting.

A couple of hours, smooth, fast and swoopy with no real tech and good stretch of the legs.  Not a trail centre but close to M6, no navigation, up a big hill but zero chance of getting lost.

I was going to suggest that too... But with the obligatory stop at Kennedy's chocolate shop in Orton

Oh, I'd forgotten about the Orton Chocolate shop, good shout

Tebay Services

Best on the M6 by a substantial margin. I've mates who'll make a major detour for the pies.

I was about to say Gisburn Forest, but its a lot further from the M6 than I thought!

Rivington Pike would get you out on the bike. If its a nice day, but its not great or some where I would go if the weather is bad.

https://flattyres-mtb.co.uk/route-guides/lancashire-mtb-routes/rivington-pike/

There's a nice loop in the Trough of Bowland over Dunsop Fell that would add about 45 minutes to your journey if you're after something XC. It feels pretty wild and is very pretty.

https://www.strava.com/segments/9080789

The Generalist's route is a good one too.

^^^this is for tomorrow. First fell crossing will be an unridably soft morass, and I'd find it a tough couple of hours.

Breasthigh Road loop or out and back?

Right at the Tebay turn off and next to the M6

Here's a thread I started in 2020, might help.

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/after-work-spin-close-to-m6/

I did this route after work after a recommendation off here. It was very good.

https://strava.app.link/Bx3LW7STRIb

Whinlatter is worth a ride. I'd prefer a bit of squidge up front but would be fine on a rigid bike.

It's essentially two loops either side of the road, each a classic trail centre style, big up and down. There is definitely more scenic routes though.

I've ridden the loop from Tebay services too, but it was a few years ago. I think it was mentioned in a copy of Singletrack. I'd not bother doing it again, I don't remember enjoying it all that much.

Dunsop Fell is soft at the best of times and is definitely a swamp at the moment and not the easiest navigation. If you want a taste of Bowland then the little forest and bridleways at the far end of Longridge Fell is nearer to the M6 but still rather muddy at present.

Darwen Tower could be an option. Quick transition from M6 going one junction up M65. Park at Abbey Village and do a loop through Roddlesworth woods. Better drained than Bowland.

The previously mentioned Lancaster canal / Glasson Dock / Cycleway return will be a flat but very clean and easy all weather option. Leave car at J34 park and ride right by the M6, jump on the  cycleway by the Lune and just follow that to Glasson and then return on the canal then rejoin riverside cycleway at the Lune aqueduct.

Or the Howgills or Pooley Bridge mentioned above.

Unless Gisburn has improved dramatically since I last rode there about 5 years ago, I'd not bother. I remember it being a pretty relentless, rutty, muddy, unmaintained, wet slog with the odd good bit.

do a loop through Roddlesworth woods

I'm relatively local and seem to get lost every time I go to Roddlesworth Woods 😀

approx the halfway point

https://www.forestryengland.uk/delamere-forest/cycling-and-mountain-biking-trails-delamere

more possibles here

https://www.outdooractive.com/en/mountain-biking-trails/cheshire-west-and-cheshire/mountain-biking-trails-in-cheshire-west-and-cheshire/231391408/

Thanks very much everyone. Love this forum. Some great ideas to choose from

On that video if you want an easier play around you can park up at the reference below a couple of miles outside of Orton on the raod around 2m57

https://maps.app.goo.gl/b1LuwfsNDVtVPKS78

Loads of the paths in the video revolve around this point. You miss a grind out of Orton but lose a descent into Orton but there are some decent descents to Gaythorne Hall from about 5mins. The climb from 17m17s is best done the other way and then grind up the road hill instead.

Junction 38 services actually in Tebay have been upgraded and has some excellent food.

I would add it is a really quiet place to ride with open access and you rarely get interrupted by walkers. It has been a bit wet lately but it is ok as it is mostly compact grass but it is a bit slower than usual. Dry weather at the moment with some wind so that will help.

Unless Gisburn has improved dramatically since I last rode there about 5 years ago, I’d not bother. I remember it being a pretty relentless, rutty, muddy, unmaintained, wet slog with the odd good bit

It's had a lot of maintenance since Covid, it's a proper XC trail centre so yes lots of peddling. It can be wet (it's in the North West) but apart from one section it's never been particularly muddy. That section has recently been surfaced and a lot of drainage and trail raising has been done to combat the water.

It is too far off the M6 for a bimble and isn't ideal for a rigid bike though.

On a rigid bike, the Salter Fell road (Hornby high road it’s also called I think) might be a nice ride. Out and back is probably best.

Pooley Bridge up to Askham Fell then down to Howtown (or go down the other way to Lowther and then back up) is a nice route.

Just past the Howgill route on the train. Looks a bit soggy right now but definitely on my to do list next time I'm passing on the M6 and have the bike in the car.

https://cyclethedales.org.uk/route/sedbergh_the_bowderdale_classic/

Just past the Howgill route on the train

Bowderdale will be very, very wet. But largely ridable in a Lakes riding kind of way. The bridleway up and down the Calf is gravelly/hard the whole way (again like the Lakes) and is an all weather route.

Another to add to my 'to do' list. This one is also just off the M6.

https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/komoot-classic-ride-136-rivington-pike/

I'm beginning to think I should have brought my bike down now. Unfortunately I've no spare time this time....

I did the orton loop from tebay a few years back and enjoyed it.  More gravel than mtb tho

Having done it on a gravel bike, it's a bit rough in places. Especially if it's wet and the cows have been in the fields churning it up

Agree with Orton - had a few stops there over the years and there is a rather good community caff as well. Limestone riding still is a bit of a novelty so even more enjoyment.

My loop that rivvy one...  and all legal!

I agree with roddlesworth its a nightmare for getting lost.

Though from brinscal up great hills a nice ride