Last year, Chris Hughes set out from his home near Southport to ride the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT), a route that links the North and Irish seas via the Pennines, along rivers and canals and through some of Northern England’s most historic towns and cities:

The Trans Pennine Trail starts (if you are travelling east) or ends (travelling west) on the new sea wall at Southport just three miles from my house. The first few miles of the Trail have been regular cycle rides for “Three Old Gits” cycle group for some time and slowly the idea that we could actually ride the full length of the Trail began to sneak into my mind. Steve was up for the challenge – probably while sitting comfortably in a pub with a refreshing pint and a plate of Lancashire hot-pot – and slowly the plans were laid.

After a couple of false starts and mix-ups we were at last ready to set off, the weather forecast kind and the wind at our backs. Accommodation was booked and the panniers packed. Adding to our own keenness to undertake the challenge of the ride was the motivation of a significant amount of sponsorship from our kind-hearted friends and relatives for The Pahar Trust Nepal, which would benefit from our completion of the Trail. Continue reading →