On Saturday we had managed to dodge the rain showers. The weather forecast was for more rain on the Sunday. Could we do the same as we joined in with the Stockport Community Cycling Club ride to Monton and Worsley?

We met outside the Robin Hood pub in Stretford. John had even turned up in his Sunday best!

The ride began by heading out through Trafford and Salford Quays passing through Media City.

 

  

We weaved our way through Eccles and Monton picking up a section of NCN 55.

  

Eventually we picked up the Bridgewater Canal and followed this to lunch at Worsley.

Lunch stop was at The Secret Garden Tea Room, a lovely little cafe which opened up an upstairs section for us. There was a good selection of lunch choices, the food itself was fine and the prices reasonable.

  

It had started to rain before lunch but this was only a few ‘spits’. However it had become more persistent over lunchtime and was now a constant drizzle. Anyway, we had to move on so we returned to the canal again. This included a section that can only be described as a bit of an assault course for cyclists (it isn”t really meant for this mode of transport). Closed gates and mud.

  

We took a little detour and visited Astley Green Colliery Museum. This is an interesting place, it is Lancashire’s only remaining colliery and the museum provides a stark story of life in a mining community.

  

  

Then it was heads down through the rain as we set off down Lower Green Lane towards Irlam. This can be an enjoyable and scenic quiet little country lane but unfortunately we were all too wet to appreciate it.

Finally it was back over the Manchester Ship Canal and through Davyhulme to arrive back at the start.

We had completed about 26 miles. Having cycled 10 miles to the start and back home again we had completed 46 (at times wet) miles.

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