We had some holiday to take. We couldn't decide what to do with it. We didn't really want to drive so we loaded paniers on to a bike and decided to ride to Blackpool to see the lights. Then my mum advised me that lights probably wouldn't be on so we decided to go anyway. We cycled over to Manchester to visit some friends' new house which involved kittens, beer and a take away, a hot shower and a snuggly bedroom. On Saturday, the Garmin took us some wonderful routes around the major connurbations of Manchester, Preston, Wigan. We rode along rivers, canals and disused railway lines though there were a lot of gates that got in the way and slowed us right down. Not too bad for a 5 mile commute but really annoying for more than 10km.
We rolled into Blackpool as it was turning dark and headed for the Travelodge (full) before resorting (no pun intended) to the Premier Inn where we payed over the odds (though not too bad) for the last room in the house. The desk clerk took pity on us and supported us with two free breakfasts for the morning. Another hot shower and out to Harry Ramsdens after a walk down the sea front and a chilly stroll back along the prom.
On Sunday we headed back homeward. Initially towards Howarth but then later towards Great Howarth (closer to Rochdale) to a second Premier Inn. Since this was an unplanned stop, we rerouted away from Rochdale and followed the Garmin randomly for 6.43kms to Milnrow where a much more reasonable price was quoted for possibly the largest hotel room I've ever seen.
The staff continued to offer to help us carry our bikes upstairs!
Day 4 was tough getting out, partly knowing that we had two major hillclimbs to go - first into Dunford Bridge over Saddleworth Moor and second over Holmfirth to get back to Sheffield. Changes I made to my cleats the night before were just wrong and had to be reverted although all in all, new shoe wedges I had inserted worked a treat in supporting my feet and my legs have been in much better state than I thought they would be.
Four days (and a few hours) after we left, we were back home to hungry cats. Not a single car journey the whole weekend (except a lift to the takeaway with Glyn to buy the food).
We saw the full moon many times and found new routes around towns that I never would have dreamed existed. We saw the tower ball room (from the outside) and got evicted from the Winter Gardens (closed for a private function). We played on the beach on our bikes (or the breakwater anyway) and spotted wildlife along the country lanes. Coffee, tea and cake was consumed by the bucketload - all from local producers - except for Harry Ramsden's because it was too cold (and out of season) for real fish and chips.
We dropped off the transpennine trail and I got a puncture but that was the only downside to an otherwise wonderful weekend.
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