The latest Stockport Community Cycling Club ride started from CERA Cycloan in Higher Hillgate. It was a pleasant but slightly overcast morning for our Big Stockport Circular. Andy was leading the ride today.

We began by cycling up through St Thomas’ Rec.

Weaving our way through back streets we made our way towards Offerton.

After cycling around the edges of the Offerton estate we headed up Cow Lane and came out in Hazel Grove.

We spent a little bit of time pumping up tyres.

Then we were off again.

Through Torkington Park.

Up Torkington Old Road.

On to NCN Route 55 and the Middlewood Way.

We followed the Middlewood Way for the next mile up to Rose Hill, Marple.

Continuing to follow NCN Route 55, we dropped down to Marple Hall and joined the Alan Newton Way.

This took us alongside the River Goyt.

A little further on we stopped at Dobbies Garden Centre on Dooley Lane for a cuppa and some cake.

Across the road from the garden centre is the community-owned Stockport Hydro at the entrance to a section of the Goyt Valley.

As we cycled up Dark Lane we were still following NCN Route 55.

The path took us through Bredbury. From there, we joined Osborne Street and then briefly, Stockport Road West, before turning into Welkin Road.

Following the path at the end of Welkin Road, we cycled under the motorway.

And then walked up the rutted final section.

This took us up to Reddish Vale and through the Brinnington tunnel.

We joined NCN Route 62 and followed this path for the next mile or so as we cycled towards Reddish Vale Country Park.

We left the country park and cycled up Mill Lane.

Then made our way across Reddish following NCN Route 6 towards Nelstrop Road North.

This brought us out in Heaton Chapel. From there we weaved our way through more back streets and then dropped down towards the town centre.

Our riders came out in the town centre at the meeting point of the River Mersey and River Goyt.

Next, we headed up through the market.

Before finishing by cycling up Hopes Carr and Canal Street, and back towards the start.

Today we had cycled nearly 20 miles. This had been an interesting urban route and many on the ride commented on how they didn’t know such and such a place or path existed.

You can view our Big Stockport Circular route below: