Having had an Open University tutorial cancelled at the last minute I took the opportunity to contact Andy S and suggest we go out for a cycle for a few hours. He has been talking about a hilly route he often rides and which he has aptly named his ‘Mountain Goat ride’. Today was as good as any to try it out.

Andy S is known in Stockport Community Cycling Club circles for living ‘on the side of a mountain’ and having a penchant for cycling up hills. Indeed my own enjoyment for the views presented from the top of a hill having first cycled up it can be traced back to my friendship with Andy!

We met on the Middlewood Way and began by cycling towards Marple.

  

Through Brabyns Park and  along the canal towards Compstall.

We then followed Glossop Road before turning off onto Sandy Lane at Chisworth.

The views and vistas soon started to open up.

We headed around the back of Mellor and towards Rowarth, following NCN Route 68 of course!

Soon we could see New Mills in the distance.

After dropping in to New Mills we turned towards Disley. We briefly went through Lyme Park entering by the side-gate.

Leaving Lyme Park we climbed up Marple Ridge.

Finally it was time to head for home.

Due to family commitments it has been difficult for Andy to get out as often as he might have wished recently. So this was a great few hours cycling, catching up and just generally appreciating being outdoors and the autumnal colours. We will definitely do something like this again soon.

You can view Andy S’s Mountain Goat route below: