Trans Pennine Trail

What a week on the Trans Pennine Trail covering 180miles of stunning English countryside. With my brother Eddy and two mates Mark G and John B we started at Stockport and ventured out into the Tameside wilderness not knowing what will come over the next 4 days. Immediately left out of the station we took the main road to the TPT crossing on wellington road. The weather was cold, dry and sunny but with an easterly wind.  Through a small housing estate and along the route at the side of the river Tame. Following the path through Brinnington, Denton, Haughton Green, Hyde, Hattersley, Wooley Bridge, Broadbottom, Charlesworth to Hadfield where we met the Longdendale trail over the tops to Woodhead tunnel. The snow was still prevalent at this height as we had to push our bikes the 6 inches deep snow. Pushing into the headwind we took the main road over the top of Windle edge and down to Dunford Bridge. Again we had the delights of 6inches deep snow and struggled to get through the snow and took the A616 back to the A628 and headed into Penistone and onto Barnsley. Day 2 was much easier as we had little climbing so only had the easterly head wind to fend with. Immediately onto the route we took off down to Wath Upon Dearne and headed east towards Doncaster and then up toward Selby. Due to the flat countryside the wind was unforgiving. The route took us through Bentley, Braithwaite and along the New Junction Canal to Sykehouse. continuing on we passed Snaith , Hirst Courtney, Brayton to Selby and the headed east to Howden but we turn to Goole for our overnight stay. On day 3 the weather was the same with stunning sunshine, cold but strong easterly wind. Heading back to howden, then through Saltmarshe, Blacktoft we met the Humber and could see the Humber Bridge in the distance. Following Elloughton, Brough, North Ferriby and to Hessle we stop at the Humber Bridge Country Park for lunch. Following on from the bridge we headed into Hull to the docks for a view of the Humber before heading north towards Hornsea. The last stretch from Hull to Hornsea was straight into the wind so was a fight all the way. The trail signs were excellent and easy to follow. Very few mishaps but continuous checking of the map ensured we were on the route.