e2e.bike

Cycling adventures across Britain and beyond

Menu
  • End to Ends
    • Britain
    • Ireland
    • France
    • Spain
    • Portugal
    • Belgium
    • Netherlands
    • Luxembourg
    • Austria
    • Switzerland
    • Denmark
    • Czechia
    • Slovakia
    • Poland
    • Latvia
    • Cuba
    • Sri Lanka
    • Taiwan
    • Isle of Man
    • Faroes
    • Liechtenstein
  • Coast to Coasts
  • Yorkshire Ridings
  • Others
  • Writings
Menu
← PreviousNext →

TPT 1: Southport to Altrincham

Posted on 14 April 201131 March 2021 by Rob Ainsley


The Trans Pennine Trail stretches 215 mostly offroad miles or so from Southport, on the Irish Sea, to Hornsea, on the North Sea. I had a few days blank in my diary – roughly from now until 2053 – so despite indifferent weather, finances and career prospects, I couldn’t resist cycling it.

There’s a very helpful and friendly bike shop right by Southport station. They suggested that after the initial run through the dunes (above) – Dunes Help You Breathe More Easily – I ignore the official route, and follow bridlepaths nearer the coast to Crosby beach, site of the superb Antony Gormley work, Another Place.

The work (detail, above) consists of a hundred life-size naked bronzes (of Gormley himself) staring out to sea. Depending on the time and tide, you see them submerged, hovering above the sand, covered in barnacles or slime, sunlit, rained on, blasted by storms etc. And depending on the proximity of bike bloggers, you see them grasping cycle handlebars. It’s excellent; go and see it.

After hacking through Liverpool’s backside, on a rather dull railtrail, you get to Speke. And the words you speke are unprintable, because you keep losing the trail thanks to patchy signposting. Here (above) is an example. Note that you’re already *on* the TPT route. So what to make of this Janus-like sign, when there are no visible roads off right or left? The addition of a direction (‘east’ or ‘west’, as most of the signs in the western two-thirds have) would help here.

Having found your way out of Speke, thanks to the chirpy and friendly locals (who all knew where the bike route is, incidentally) you sideline the Mersey before a railtrail to Lymm and Altrincham. Nothing can stop you now. Except perhaps the hundred-step wood-staircase ascent up this hillside.

After much asking in hotels I found a just about acceptable deal in Best Western in Altrincham. Do you like Altrincham? I don’t know, I’ve never wanted to change them, to be honest.

Miles today: 60 (inc getting lost in Speke)
Miles so far: 60

Previous
←   Camino 10: Monte de Gozo to Santiago de Compostela
Next
TPT 2: Altrincham to Penistone →

You are here

e2e.bike > Coast to Coasts > TPT 1: Southport to Altrincham

Recent Posts

  • Thankful Yorks 3 and 4: Norton-le-Clay and Cundall 10 July 2025
  • Thankful Yorks 2: Catwick 25 June 2025
  • Schleswig-Holstein: That is the question 6 June 2025

Random Posts

  • Czechia 7: Brno to Olomouc20 May 2025
    Things were looking up this morning: my breakfast stayed in, and I …
  • Britain 5: Plocropol to Lionacleit18 May 2010
    Today was mostly another long, tough day cycling right into a strong …
  • Yorks County Towns 3: York to Wakefield1 August 2024
    In popular culture, ‘Yorkshire’ means ‘the West Riding’. If it’s a cliché, …

Search e2e.bike

Find me

        
Facebook • Twitter • Linked In • Email
© 2025 e2e.bike | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme