A GRAND DAY OUT
Roger Wolstenholme takes us on a fantastic 30-mile bike ride through the Forest of Bowland on a Ribble Valley e-Bike that makes cycling an absolute pleasure
This 30-mile cycle route, put together by Ribble Valley e-Bikes, makes for a wonderful day in the great outdoors with some interesting stop-offs along the way.
To buy or for hire, Ribble Valley e-Bikes stock some of the best electric bikes available including British brands Raleigh and Volt, German manufacturer Haibike and French company LaPierre – they include mountain bikes, road bikes and hybrid models too. The fantastic Woom children’s range is also available with Ribble Valley e-Bikes being one of only three stores in the country authorised to stock the brand.
With bases in Clitheroe and Dunsop Bridge, the company is passionate about spreading the word about how easy and accessible electric bikes are – and how they take the strain out of long routes enabling riders to enjoy the journey and the scenery along the way, as owner Roger Wolstenholme explains: “This particular 30-mile route would be quite a mission on an ordinary bike but on an electric model it’s a pleasure and there are some fabulous places to stop off along the way.
“The route is variable in different ways – if you just fancy an ice-cream that’s fine but if you want to take in breakfast or lunch along the way there are six to eight stop-off options that all cater for cyclists. It’s a case of riders choosing how they want to enjoy their day.”
START POINT:
Fully charged and with lots of anticipation and excitement for the day ahead, start from Ribble Valley E-Bikes Clitheroe showroom on Waterloo Road, Clitheroe. Maybe head to Holmes Mill for breakfast or alternatively head out through Chatburn towards Sawley.
When you reach Sawley, next to the river is the Spread Eagle – a pub popular with cyclists. From Sawley head out on the country lanes towards Bolton-by Bowland. On the way you can stop off at the award-winning Holden Clough Nurseries then on to Bolton-by-Bowland where there is the Coach and Horses – perfect for lunch!
Push on and go over the tops to Gisburn Forest Trail Park and café – there’s lots to do and see here.
Head back to the pretty village of Slaidburn where the historic Hark to Bounty can be found along with an ice-cream shop. Then head towards Dunsop Bridge, where Ribble Valley e-Bikes hire centre can be found and, if needed, extra battery charge.
There is an option then to head back towards Chipping past the Wild Boar Park or loop back towards Bashall Eaves where there is the Red Pump to take a well-earned breather or alternatively, you can carry on and head out towards Waddington where you will find the Waddington Arms, the Lower Buck and Higher Buck.
From Waddington the route is flat for a leisurely ride back into Clitheroe.
