Missing Meanderthal’s Socially Distanced Cycling Circuit

 

It looks a rather sterile development of new detached properties though some sound environmental sensitivity has been deployed in preserving much old woodland…but it was exciting to emerge a mile or so further down The Causey onto London Way, the A6, a little South of the Capitol Centre, effectively cutting out Lostock Hall and the fringes of Bamber Bridge from this roundabout route from Penwortham to the Capital Centre    

Skirting partly around, partly through the retail park the Meandering Cyclist was delighted to cross the River Ribble over London Bridge and turn onto the Guild Wheel 

through Frenchwood, passing a lone fisherman, too focussed on his task to notice onlookers...

and onwards downstream along the Guild Wheel between the Boulevard and the River towards the Victorian splendour of Avenham and Miller Parks 

But first the old Tram Bridge, due for demolition and hopefully replacement?

New elms replaced their diseased cousins some years ago and have taken delightfully to form a fresh airy avenue at the foot of Miller Park to match the Victorian Limes of Avenham Park…how long has that horizontal tree been growing there?

Past the old cobbled Penwortham Bridge – too slow with the camera to capture the cormorant in flight - and on along Broadgate.

Crossing Liverpool Road and returning to the Guild Wheel, MC passed the Sea Scouts hut but, encountering a hive of pedestrian and cycling activity, sacrificed photography for safety!  Before reaching the dock a clear stretch provided opportunity to turn around, retrace the path to Liverpool Road, cross Penwortham Bridge, and take a right adjacent to the allotments to hug the Penwortham bank of the River.  

From the bottom of Priory Park with it sculptures 

and old landing stage it was good to look back across the Ribble

A little further downstream and a choice presented itself: turn left and climb up into Penwortham or stick to the River and head along the Ribble Way, a decent walk which should surely be possible on two wheels? 

When you make a mistake don’t keep digging…but MC persisted in the vain hope of improved conditions and would have welcomed a spade to release his sunken wheels.  

For most of the pathway, or rather quagmire, the bike had to be pushed but occasionally there appeared images worth pausing to photo - the tallest church spire in the land of St Walburg's’s could just be glimpsed through the descending gloom.  And the entrance to the dock.

Looking out towards the estuary – next stop Dublin

This five barred gate was heavily padlocked.  A very muddy bicycle was unceremoniously hauled over and almost dismissively dropped on the other side…but it was still needed to cover a surprisingly long couple of miles up from the river to Howick Cross. 

…and it just gets better…I mean wetter.  This has been authentic Meanderthal conditions

…tarmacadam gratefully received at last…

The light was beginning to fade so a speedy last stretch back along Liverpool Road to Penwortham, with just one final stop to capture to the old in the form of the Water Tower, recently sympathetically renovated, modernised and beautified 

and the new

…14.3 miles on from the MC’s starting point. 

Jim C.