Monton and Worsley 2015 was this years version of one of Gill H’s most popular Stockport Community Cycling Club rides. It is almost an annual fixture on the club ride list, indeed we wrote a blog post for a previous running of this ride back in 2013.

We met at the Robin Hood pub in Stretford.

It was a cool and fresh autumn morning as we began by cycling through Trafford Park.

Soon we could see Media City on the horizon …

We crossed the River Irwell into Media City.

Next we picked up NCN route 55 as cycled on to Eccles and Monton.

At Monton we found ourselves following an old railway line.

 

 

At Ellenbrook we left NCN Route 55 and headed for Boothstown. Here we picked up the Bridgewater Canal.

We followed this to Worsley.

In Worsley we took lunch at The Secret Garden Tea Room.

Under new ownership, this is a fine cafe that serves basic food welcomed by cyclists. Importantly for Sarah it offered gluten-free options too.

After lunch we picked up the Bridgewater Canal for awhile as we headed back to Boothstown.

Leaving the canal we briefly followed the East Lancs Road.

And then turned off for Astley Green.

Here we visited the Astley Green Colliery Museum.

Leaving the museum we next cycled through the Irlam Moss.

Soon we arrived in Irlam.

Here we crossed the Manchester Ship Canal and in to Flixton.

Finally we made our way down Moorside Road, through Urmston and back to Stretford. At the finish we had cycled just over 26 miles. Sarah and I had cycled 10 miles to the start and then back home, so all-in-all just over 45 miles and a good day of exercise.

You can view the Monton and Worsley 2015 route below:

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