Winter is on its way. And it certainly felt so as 16 cyclists met up on a cold autumn morning for the latest Stockport Community Cycling Club eXtra Ride at Hazel Grove Rail Station.

We started off cycling  through Woodford and Dean Row. Barely had we got going when we hit our first problem. Matt Harrod, on his first ride with us, had bounced over a pothole and got a puncture.

When we finally got going again we headed off through Mottram St Andrew and Over Alderley.

And soon we encountered the day’s second issue. The screw on one of the cleats on Graham Hughes’s shoes had worked itself loose to the point where he couldn’t remove his foot from the pedal. Another stop was required! At this rate it was going to be a slow day! Never mind, the temperature was rising and it was becoming a lovely day out to be cycling.

Next stop was Redesmere Nature Reserve for a coffee stop and a chance to enjoy the variety of waterfowl on the lake.

We then continued on through Siddington and Lower Withington before turning towards Marton.

Just before lunch came our third problem of the day when Andy Shaw collected a puncture. Thankfully it was a slow puncture enabling him to limp to the lunch location. This was The Harrington Arms, Gawsworth on the edge of Bosley.

It has been recently refurbished and it now presents a homely place to eat with a log fire as its centrepiece. The staff are welcoming and friendly, and the food is tasty if a little pricy. However our meals arrived quickly and that is always a plus with a big group dining such as ours.

After lunch we headed back via Gawsworth village. Then it was one more time through Over Alderley, Mottram St Andrew and Woodford.

Thanks to Steve Dudley for organising the ride. The temperature picked up and we all enjoyed this deceptively hilly ride.

If you would like to look at the map of the route and the route stats, then click on the Garmin link.