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This Perm can be ridden with the
 e_Brevet app
. Settle for a thoroughly enjoyable but tough ride through the Trough of Bowland.
You start northbound through Milnrow, Whitworth and Bacup to climb over Deerplay Moor. The Perm goes past Turf Moor but at the time you pass, you shouldn't have too much trouble negotiating any crowds.
After Nelson, there is a climb through Blacko to Gisburn over Greystone Moor, familiar to anyone who has ridden the Northwest Passage, but instead of using the busy A65, this ride goes over Paythorne Moor through Wigglesworth.
There is a choice of cafes in Settle at the first control, including The Naked Man Cafe which according to Wikipedia is the UK's oldest cafe, and who are we to argue.
From Settle, return south towards Rathmell, then through Slaidburn, a village for which a popular Brass Band march was specially written. Continue down the Hodder valley to Dunsop Bridge for the start of the Trough of Bowland.
The Trough of Bowland is a high pass through an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty. A memorial to Bill Bradley of Southport CC can be found at the summit of the pass at 295m. Bill was the winner of the Milk Race (Tour of Britain) in 1959 and 1960.
After dropping to Marsham, the route passes down the Wyre valley to Scorton and Garstang for the second and control.
The final leg of this Perm goes through Inglewhite, Longridge and Ribchester before climbing over to Rishton. There is a short stretch of towpath to avoid a busy junction of the M65. You then go through Osaldtwistle (that's 'Ozzel Twizzel' apparently) and Haslingden. A climb past Owd Betts leads you to Rochdale, Milnrow and Denshaw.
This Perm starts in Uppermill, Saddleworth. If you drive here, it's handy for M62 junction 22 and there is free all-day parking at the car park by the leisure centre. If arriving by train, Greenfield Station has connections to Manchester and Leeds. TransPennine Trains allow a limited number of bikes on trains which they insist must be pre-booked, a policy strictly observed.
If you like this ride, you may wish to try another of these Perms from Uppermill. They include some Perms from Nephi Alti *.
Perms are also available with starts from
Dean Row
,
Poynton
and
Stalybridge
.
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