Tag Archives: Sustrans

Let’s Go And Play Out, Kids.

Remember Playing Out?

If this phrase makes you feel nostalgic, then shame on you.  Reluctant as I am to criticise anybody, even you: shame on you.

Playing out is important.  Failing to play out is one of the main reasons that the current generation is the fattest and most unhealthy one yet.  It’s also the reason that the generation we’re bringing up now – our own kids – will be even fatter and more unhealthy than our own.

Getting outdoors and playing is a simple, fun and largely unseen way to:

  • burn calories
  • get further away from the fridge
  • have loads of fun
  • make friends
  • become fitter
  • avoid obesity
  • reduce the likelihood of shedloads of diseases in later life

Do you need any more convincing?

In my opinion, we adults often go out and ride out bikes to get ourselves fit.  I’ve been quite vocal in the past that I prefer “playing out on bikes” to exercising any day of the week.  That’s why I prefer a Mountain Bike, but that’s just me.  Whatever you ride a bike, stop to think about the kids and please, please check out the links below.

So, What Do You Do?

Please add your support by contacting your MP. You don’t even have to know who he/she is, Sustrans have done all the work for you.  Just fill in the quick form by hitting this link.

More information about the Free Range Kids campaign can be found here, including some great ideas to get kids outdoors.

If you’re not in mainland UK, and I know a lot of you aren’t, do something in your own area. If you have an organisation doing similar things where you are, post a link in the comments below and lobby someone who can do something for your next generation.

Tell ’em Phill sent you. 🙂

National Cycle Network NCN Route 66 Improvements, Rochdale Canal

Getting Our Kicks On Route 66

On Sunday, the kids and I set out on a sunset ride up to my favourite place in the whole world.  Our outward journey was the usual Rochdale Canal towpath trawl out to wards The Waterside Restaurant, then up Lake Road to Hollingworth Lake.  Halfway around the lake we stopped to watch a beautiful sunset as a group of dinghies finished their afternoon’s races.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we supped our hot drinks (chocolate for Em, cappuccino for Ben and tea for me) and pulled up our buffs as the temperature dropped.  Steeled against the cold, we set off home.

New Towpath Access = New Choices

For quite some time (around 200 years I think), it’s been possible to get onto the Rochdale Canal towpath at Clegg Hall by using a flight of steps or a steep, rutted short path.  In their wisdom, British Waterways and the National Cycle Network guys at Sustrans have replaced the terrible path with a properly-laid, gravel covered slip road which connects the bridge over the canal from Clegg Hall with the towpath.  It’s absolutely ideal for cyclists.

Having spotted the new slip road on recent rides, we travelled back from the lake via Wildhouse Lane (using the traffic-free cycle lane alongside the main road) then turned right down Branch Road and rode past Clegg Hall before joining the towpath for the last mile home.

We were glad of the new shortcut, as the temperature plummeted under beautiful clear skies once it got dark!  I think it’s full-fingered gloves time from now on!

Incidentally, if you like the look of Clegg Hall, it’s yours for a chunk over half a million.  Take a look.

Tell ’em Phill sent you! 🙂

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