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This is a one-way trip from Southport to Stalybridge, or perhaps from Stalybridge to Southport - you choose depending on the wind direction.
There is a direct train link between the two places (except on Sundays, when the Stalybridge train goes to, or comes from, Rochdale for some reason - but it's an easy change at Salford Crescent). If you want a 200km Audax ride from Uppermill to Southport and back, see the
Aintree 200
.
If you are riding towards Stalybridge, the Buffet Bar on platform 2 is highly recommended as a finish control. For rides to Southport, you will find plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars on or around Lord Street.
The route crosses the Manchester Ship Canal at Warburton Toll Bridge, which is free for cyclists. There is also a long section of the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath between Golbourne and Parbold, which is of excellent quality even for road bikes. If you prefer to stick to the road, you can follow B5207 via Golbourne, Ashton in Makerfield, Downhall Green, Orrell, Ashurst Beacon, Dalton and Parbold. That road version involves a lot more climbing but still not enough to attract AAA points.
You will find 4 files in the GPX download - both Stalybridge-Southport and its reverse have a canal (flat) and hilly version.
There are two mid-ride cafes that particularly welcome cyclists. The Bijou Cafe in Cheadle is run by Bob, a member of Peak Audax, so mention to him that you're on the Southport Perm. The Bijou is closed Sundays and Mondays, so on those days you can use Costa in Hale Barns instead. The Twin Lakes Velocafe at Croston is open 7 days a week until 3pm.
The two routes, Stalybridge-Southport and Southport-Stalybridge, aren't exactly identical as there are a few one-way streets to be negotiated and some junctions might work better in one direction, so make sure you are using the right route sheet or GPX file.
This ride works best using the
 e-Brevet app
. Use
MW39
when riding Stalybridge-Southport. There is a customised eBrevet for Southport-Stalybridge, with the reference
MW39-1309-20240510
.
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If you like the idea of a one-way ride with a train journey for the return, you may wish to try another of these One-Way Perms.
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