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I fancy riding down the Trans-Pennine trail to Liverpool, and getting the train back. Is it possible? I don't mind getting a train that stops at every station.
Cheers but its a moot point anyway, he was due to start work this Monday as a trial but decided to go to Creamfields on Sunday and not bother getting up for work on the Monday morning.
At that time of day their chances are very good. It's relatively early in the day, and relatively early in the train's journey. Just bear in mind that Northern's policy on bikes is "first come, first served". Getting home again later in the day might be a bit trickier but lots of people, and bikes, will board in Manchester, then get off at Urmston or Flixton, leaving space free for bikes. Remember to look out for the bicycle symbols around the doors to the bike spaces.
It will get easier as Northern take delivery of their new trains, replacing the very short Pacer trains. We'll also get more of their existing diesels when the Bolton line is finally electrified.
What are the chances of getting a bike on a train at Birchwood station to arrive at Flixton for about 7AM Monday to Friday. Someone I know lives there and he may be starting work in the Flixton area.
Disappointingly on the return leg north of the river/canal, when you get near to Rixton old hall there doesn't appear to be a way through the fields to continue along the riverbank, so I continued along the A57 (not recommended, very busy with traffic and the pavement is overgrown) and went back across Warburton Bridge and through Partington.
The path in its entirety is absolutely excellent, in really good condition and you're not bothered by cars at all, just a few very minor roads to cross with no traffic at all. Its arrow-straight (follows an old train line), almost totally flat, and really well signed at every point, with information boards and local history boards along the way, benches, pubs. Its just a great local resource, if you've got kids I heartedly recommend taking them down there although you might want to arrange a lift back rather than use the roads.
Anyhow I did about 30 miles, to Liverpool would probably be around 45-50 miles. Its actually very very easy when you're not being overtaken with 6 inches of room by errant motorists :) I can't wait to go down to Liverpool, my house is within spitting distance of Flixton station :)
