Having previously cycled the full TPT from Southport to Hornsea solo in September 2021, this week I decided to complete the coast to coast journey from east to west, not just because I enjoyed the experience so much last time, but also because as I live in Liverpool, I thought it would be nice to have home as my finishing point this time, and so omitting the very familiar last leg to Southport this time around.

So after the train to Hull on Monday lunchtime, I rode the TPT up to Hornsea for an overnight stay, ready to start my coast to coast trip the next morning.

I made an early start Tuesday morning on a planned 75 mile ride to Pollington near Snaith.  This turned out to be the longest leg of my 3 day trip, which was planned, because having stayed in Pollington on the reverse trip I knew how flat and relatively easy this section was, so while the going is easy you might as well put in a few extra miles.

The 13 mile disused railway stretch from Hornsea to Hull is a nice way to ease you into the ride, flat through open fields, and it’s interesting to see some of the old station platforms still in place along the route.

Then through Hull and under the Humber bridge.  Quick note at this point, in the built up areas such as Hull and later on in Stockport, it’s more difficult to navigate just by following the TPT signs, this is where the interactive map on the TPT website proves invaluable, as you can track your position and quickly correct if you go slightly off course.  Without the interactive map on my last trip, getting lost was a bit more regular and costly in terms of time and distance to re-find the trail.  It’s also worth taking the TPT map book as back up, because you will probably lose your phone signal at some points, especially up in the Pennines.  And one last thing, if you do get lost…it’s better not to try and cut off corners to re-join the trail (As I did a few times!), invariably you will find that you eventually have to go back to your last access point anyway.

Anyway back to the Trail…after leaving Hull there is only one meaningful hill to negotiate, and then a nice long flat stretch riding through picturesque villages skirting the Humber, before moving inland towards Howden and Selby, and in my case travelling down to Snaith and finally Pollington.  I enjoyed riding through the old Burn airfield near Snaith with the runways still clearly visible.

For the second day of my ride I planned to cycle the 60 miles to Glossop for another overnight stay. Its beneficial to do some proper planning about your choice of route for this central section of the Trail, because there are so many different offshoots taking you either north or south here. When I did the west to east trip I didn’t do enough planning and ended up travelling too far south.  After Penistone I took the southern route down to Wortley and then instead of then heading east to Hoyland, I carried on going south ending up in Grenoside woods, a beautiful place by the way but it added a couple of hours to my day traversing back up north towards Hoyland.

For this week’s east to west trip I was better prepared in my planning and stayed north, heading towards Wombwell, then Worsbrough and Silkstone which will eventually take you onto the trail leading to Penistone. From Penistone I crossed towards Dunford Bridge and into the Woodhead Pass…taking care to avoid the option of heading north to Kirkburton.

At this point I lost my phone signal which is why its so important to mentally rehearse or record a couple of notes about your route. So planning is key, I knew that to get to Glossop I had to take a left before Hadfield and head up the B6105 over the hill and down into Glossop.

A couple of general points about this second day, the first 30 miles of this route was almost as hill free as the 75 miles of the first, so in effect the first 100 miles from the east coast are relatively flat. Which is great but things are about to change very quickly when you are heading towards Barnsley, and the last 33 miles before Glossop through the Pennines were tougher, obviously plenty of climbs to negotiate, but its worth the climbs for the great views you will be presented with.

Also the trail was closed when I reached a road bridge (I think around Penistone), and although there was a diversion sign, I couldn’t work out which way it was directing, so I had to muddle my way around travelling on the roads to pick up the Trail a couple of miles further on. Those roads such as the A628 are not for the faint hearted with all those lorries and fast moving traffic, and really should be avoided if possible.

Anyway after a 63 mile ride I finally reached Glossop and an overnight stay at the Travelodge, conveniently with a Wetherspoons pub next door!.

The next day Thursday I was up early for my 65 mile (approx) ride home to Liverpool. The first 7 to 8 miles are quite tough out of Glossop with some road gradients up to 10 and 12 degrees.

But then over one final hill and into the Reddish Vale Country Park there is the relief of a nice slow descent into Stockport, and that’s the hills finally behind you.

Then skirting Manchester via Stretford and Carrington I reached the section of Trail I ride often, approaching the Thelwall Viaduct, then Warrington…Runcorn and finally home via the Loop Line here in Liverpool, exiting at West Derby Station.

Anyway what a great few days enjoying our great English countryside.

The TPT route is special.. Such a brilliant way to spend a few days …river paths, canal tow paths, country lanes, nature reserves, open fields, hills, forests, picturesque villages, reminders of our fantastic industrial heritage through the canals, bridges, viaducts, locks, railway lines, old airfields and then the beautiful bleakness of the Pennines …what more could you want?.

A couple of tips for anyone thinking of completing the coast to coast, try and plan it around the weather if you can, I only booked the train, B&Bs last week when I noted that the weather was mild this week, with little rain and importantly low winds.  Secondly, travel as light as possible, on my first trip I ended up jettisoning a lot of stuff I didn’t really need to relieve the weight. Don’t overstretch yourself, plan to do whatever mileage suits you and book your B&Bs accordingly. Fitness is relative, but the more miles you get in your legs prior to your trip the more you will enjoy it. Finally use the superb TPT website for information about the Trail, and especially the interactive maps!

I would like to thank the TPT Office, Sustrans and all the volunteers who make it possible for us to enjoy such a wonderful route from coast to coast…and I’m already looking forward to my trip next year, in my 60th year, probably east to Liverpool again…I may even finish it off to Southport !!

Stephen Connolly
September 2024