EXPANDED CITY

ARCHITECTURE/MAPS/CYCLING

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Preston Pedalfest will be happening on Sunday 22nd July. Refer to the website for details. 

www.letsride.co.uk

www.facebook.com/cyclepreston

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Preston cycle archive map is coming along.

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Brookfield Park Issue

UK cycling infrastructure has long been plagued by a lack of expert consultation, inconsistencies within the adequacy of design and the practicalities of the physical outcome. A narrow perception of the potential user group can often result in a solution falling short of what is required to encourage a community to adopt alternative methods of mobility. 

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South Ribble cycle route 55 to The Cycle Hub/Railway Station

As a nation, the majority of people once travelled to work by bicycle. As issues around congestion and air quality escalate, it is not inconceivable that cycling will become the preferred mode of transport for future short journeys. Ensuring a ‘frictionless’ commute will make the prospect of such a huge societal change an appealing prospect with direct access from Station to National Cycle Network which will accelerate City to Suburb travel. 

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Some of the drawings from The Expanded City project, 250mm X 250mm Pen & Ink. 

Hill House Lane

Liverpool Road

Beacon Fell

Oakenclough

Carron Lane

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Some of the artwork for The Expanded City project including 42 Views and a selection of drawings are now on display at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery in Preston City Centre as part of the Streets Of Change, Beattie’s Preston & Beyond exhibition running from 30 September to 26 November 2017. If you get the opportunity, please pay it a visit. 

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A thoroughly recommended read from Peter Walker. Anyone involved in town planning, cycling infrastructure or advocacy should have this on their reading list. 

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Thank you to all those in attendance and to In Certain Places for organising the event. It was a great evening that raised lots of questions and i am very grateful to Jack for his insight and knowledge. 

It is always a difficult thing to try and cover all the issues that cycling invariably raises in the space of a few hours and although we touched on many of them, some aspects warrant a more in-depth discussion focused solely on that one topic. When the conversation sways towards cycling advocacy and infrastructure it inevitably prompts a lively debate with opinions and ideas. It was really good to hear peoples stories and thoughts on how Preston compares and what our aspirations should be if we wish to become a cycle friendly city. 

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Some photographs from the route below. It was a fairly awful morning weather wise and only picked up by the time we reached Dunsop Bridge. Jack who lives in the Black Mountains in South Wales is no stranger to the rain and wind so seemed indifferent to such inclemency. We chatted throughout the trip discussing everything from books to bikes, food to fox hunting, geology and art to cycling legends. The man is a wealth of knowledge and the 100km breezed by rather quickly despite the dismal weather. 

All photos either by myself or Jack.

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As part of the Connected City program, In Certain Places proposed a series of events which allow artists involved an opportunity to invite guest speakers to discuss some of the topics which are pertinent to the projects and the works developed. Given the nature of my own practice and the issues involving not only mapping, but to a certain extent, cycling infrastructure and advocacy i decided to invite Jack Thurston over for a day of cycling through Lancashire followed by a public discussion. Jack hosts a long running podcast, ‘The Bike Show’ which covers all aspects of cycling culture and interestingly what feeds into and from it. He is also the author/creator of the ‘Lost Lanes’ series of guides so it was invaluable to hear how he researches and compiles the information contained in these publications. As Jack had never visited the area, particularly by bicycle, i was keen to give him an overview of both the terrain on offer and also the infrastructure in place currently. 

 Here is the route from that day in late July 2017.

We rode out along the western section of the Guild Wheel before heading north over the Fylde and then inland towards Oakenclough. We then worked our way east through the Trough Of Bowland with a small detour, partially on foot, to hunt out Langden Castle which unfortunately we never reached due to time and bad weather. We then headed for Longridge after a brief stop in Dunsop Bridge for lunch before picking up the south eastern section of the Guild Wheel at Brockholes back to Preston. 

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29th August 2017 saw another great ‘Ride The Lights' event on Blackpool seafront with thousands in attendance to ride through the illuminations on traffic free roads. We were blessed once again (fourth year running i believe) with good weather and a stunning sunset. People of all ages on every kind of machine imaginable set out from South Shore down to Bispham and back for the annual parade which see’s bicycle’s, unicycles, tricycles, you name it- it was there, take to the streets with only the sound of chatter, laughter and bicycle bells to be heard due to all motor traffic being banished from the road after 6pm. Please lets have more of these events which bring people from every background, age group and diversity together in unison around the bicycle. 

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Old signpost at Newton in Bowland

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The bridge over the River Hodder at Newton with the climb over to Waddington in the background. 

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Towards Newton in Bowland from the top of Waddington Fell

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The Ribble at Clitheroe, Waddington Road.

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A topographical map of Bowland, it is often difficult to find clear contours with online mapping sites. This is via https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Maps

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Great cycle out to Rivington today, essentially picking up the Regional Route 91 at Brindle to Wheelton, then Chapel Lane to White Coppice and Anglezarke, Rivington through to Belmont. A very picturesque route in todays weather. Time got the better of me so took the direct route back to Preston which wasn't great (fast roads with traffic) but nice stop off at Houghton Tower on the way home. 53km- 711metres elevation.