Posted in Cycling, Bike rides
Tagged with: winter, hill, blackrod, rivington, liverpool, caster, pike, summit, bike
We left Blackroad via Station road and headed through Horwich to Lever park - and to the lower Rivington reservoir. It was here that I started to take a few photos, such as this dramatic shot across the water:
The paths through Lever park were not best suited to our road bikes, so we walked round the reservoir until we happened upon - rather unexpectedly - a castle. It was, in fact, Liverpool Castle - or, more accurately, a replica of the ruined Liverpool Castle that was demolished in 1725. The replica was built under the instruction of Lord Leverhulme himself - and was built between 1912 and 1925, Leverhulme's death. The replica ruins are interesting, to say the least, and make for an interesting landmark looking out across the reservoir.
A rainstorm passed overhead whilst we were looking round the castle, and we gladly took shelter in what remained of the tower archways until the worst passed. We then headed eastwards, towards Winter Hill, with the intention of making the summit before the fading light and dodgy weather got the better of us.
Finding the path to the ascent of Rivington Pike was a task in itself - we eventually found a bridleway that took us indirectly up the advancing slope, to the cobbled path that weaved up towards the pike.
With the pathway dwindly from a rocky causeway to muddy fields, it was at this point that we elected to leave the bikes behind and tackle the summit on foot. The peak itself lies exposed on the hilltop at 1,200 feet above sea level - the massive television aerials a stones throw away to the east.
As we reached the exposed peak, one thing that we immediately noticed was the wind - it must have been gusting at phenomenal speeds, and one could certainly feel its effect - holding the camera steady was quite a task!
We were rewarded, though, with a glimpse of golden sunlight through the broken clouds, cascading over the landscape beneath us. An what a landscape - we could see Blackpool tower to our right, Liverpool dead ahead and Manchester to the left - an entire chunk of Lancashire in one fell swoop.
Quite aside from the view, the pike itself boasts another intriguing feature - a shelter and watchtower located at the very top of the hill. It provided some great solice from the gusts of wind from the north. The structure is visible for miles around, and yet stands only 20 feet tall.
The structure stands bricked up now, but in its day it was a useful shelter from the elements for shepherds and grouse hunters since its construction in 1733.
With failing light and aching legs from the climb, we then set about on the descent - to collect the bikes, and to head into Horwich for a spot of grub before heading home on the not-so-regular trains from Blackrod to Manchester.
Although much of the second part of the journey was less bike-ride and more hike, the impressive views and dramatic lighting seen on top of Winter Hill made the journey worthwhile. It had been a very changeable day, in terms of weather - the only exception being the gale force winds blowing all day - but I made it home relatively dry, despite the regular showers.
It feels like we've only scratched the surface of Rivington, though - I may have to arrange a return visit sometime, and the next time I shall remember to take a map!
