You're right about walkers and some cyclists - Ian Botham and others have come through the town in modern times. The recent couple of (failed!) attempts by James Cracknell and partners at the non-stop tandem bike record, though, came up from the Swan at Winwick, past the Hermitage and through Golborne on a late Saturday evening (the same route the torch is taking). Maybe they knew about Ashton's traffic lights and the Saddle Junction? Both attempts were well set to break the record when they foundered up in Scotland. Is there perhaps an officially recognised route for speed records?

Town: Ashton

lets be honest here, it did not come through ashton because it would probably get nicked.

Town: ashton