Day 6: Thurs 14 June 2012 Shrewsbury to Garstang
Today we will again cover approximately 75 miles, travelling from Alford to Garstang. Taking a minor road out of Alford towards Saighton, we will then cross the A41 to Cotton Abbots. We then dogleg across the A51 and right onto B5132 at Stamford Bridge, before getting on to the A56. Due to the difficulty of avoiding main roads at this point, we will use the A56 to head towards Fordsham and on to Runcorn Bridge. We will then cross the Mersey to Widnes, before picking up the B5419 heading north to Moss Bank and then onto the A571 to Billinge.
Just outside of Billinge we will take a left onto the B5206 towards Orrell, but fork left before reaching there under the M58. We aim to keep heading north, passing Appleby Bridge and keeping the M6 on our right hand side, to the B5250 and on to Eccleston. We will then turn right onto the A581 then take a quick left on to the B5253 towards Leyland and then the A582 into Preston. Heading through Preston as quickly as possible to the A6 (which fortunately is not too busy due to the M6 being so close by), and heading on as far as Catterall, we will finally take the B6430 in to Garstang.
This route sees a couple of climbs between the 25 and 45 mile mark, but is fairly level after that. We will stop for the night at the Six Arches campsite, situated by a lake a few miles north of Garstang good for Salmon & Trout fishing if we had the time (Rob will have). There are also a number of good pubs in Garstang too!
Good to talk to you last night. Must be nearly half way now????
MICK, I remember my first bike ride in 1960 (age 13) from Speke (where I lived) across the Runcorn/Widnes bridge to North Wales on an old bike which I had built from various bits and pieces from other bikes (that`s what you did in those days if you couldn`t afford a new one). Good fortune to you and your team.
Just been over the Runcorn Bridge today!