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This Perm can be ridden at any time of day or night using the eBrevet, except where it clashes with the Calendar version (IE not on 5-6 July 2025).
The route uses the
Humber Bridge
which is ONLY open to cyclists between the hours of 5am-9pm, which you should take into consideration when choosing your start time.
Should you find the bridge closed, you will have a very long diversion via Gainsborough Bridge (A631), A161, and Boothferry Bridge (A614 near Goole). That will add 90km but hey, you're a long distance cyclist! You will only be allowed extra time for
unexpected
bridge closures, such as for poor weather.
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Pull yourself together and ride 'A Pair of Kirtons'. It is a 600 with everything; a climb over the Pennines, a crossing of what was once the the world's longest bridge, some fabulously flat cycling in Lincolnshire, and marvellous 24 hour catering throughout. The ride counts towards both the
PARTY award
, and the
Peak Audax SR award
.
Note that our traditional Poynton car park off Park Lane (near Waitrose) is now Pay and Display with a maximum stay of 10 hours. The eBrevet will allow you to register 'Poynton' from
Poynton Pool car park
or
Torkington Park car park
which both still offer free parking.
The Perm nominally starts from Poynton but you could start at any control if this is more convenient. The advantage of Poynton is that an early morning start will get you to the Humber Bridge during its opening hours, you will complete those Pennine climbs early in the ride, and you will save the easy navigation bits for the night time.
Saddleworth Moor is the literal high-point at 493m with a long descent to Holmfirth using the so-called Isle of Skye Road. After that, you head east onto the Yorkshire flat lands. Your destination is the spectacular Humber Bridge, a multimillion pound crossing which was at one time the longest suspension bridge in the world. It doesn't even make the top ten now but it at least still reaches all the way to Lincolnshire.
Boston Stump, a prominent landmark in the Fens
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The whole of Lincolnshire now stretches before you with some inviting (and flat) lanes. Be warned; there's nowhere to hide on the dead straight roads of Holland Fen, so this is not a Perm for a windy day. You are aiming for Boston, famous for its Stump, and less famously but perhaps more usefully for us, a 24 hour McDonalds.
The Boston-Uttoxter section of the route has been designed with over-night riding in mind; the navigation is easy as you pass 24 hour services at Colsterworth, Melton Mowbray, East Midlands Airport, Uttoxeter and Stone. There is even accommodation at most of those locations so there's chance for a well-planned shower and nap. Note that the Perm differs from the Calendar route in that you avoid Donnington Services, which has heavy daytime traffic
The Humber Bridge, a Lincolnshire landmark
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Just save something in the tank for the stretch from Uttoxeter to Stone. It's a bit hilly, and while you would hardly notice on a shorter ride, with 250 miles in your legs those short rises can certainly make themself felt.
If you like this ride, you may wish to try another of the Perms from Poynton.
Perms are also available with starts from
Dean Row
,
Stalybridge
and
Uppermill
.
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