Sarah has been struggling with an ankle injury, so sadly, decided to give this cycle ride out to Birtles a miss. Thankfully, Andy S stepped up as a replacement and cycled admirably.

We met at Torkington Park. It was a chilly spring Sunday morning.

After leaving the park we headed up Torkington Old Road.

Then turned into Threaphurst Lane.

After crossing over the A6 we made our way through Norbury Hollow on our way up to Higher Poynton.

From Higher Poynton, we continued along Shrigley Road, climbing the hill at the back of Lyme Park. It never gets any easier, but there are some rewarding views once the top is reached.

We continued along Shrigley Road until we reached the turn for Nabs Quarry, Long Lane.

There were more great views out over Cheshire up here too.

After a brief rest, and before we started to feel the cold too much, we continued on towards Bollington.

In Bollington, we picked up a section of the Cheshire Cycleway. It was at Bollington where we had left our tour last year following my fateful hip fracture crash.

Today, we covered a section of the remaining uncycled route. We are hoping to complete the remaining Cheshire Cycleway route soon.

Our route took us through Kerridge.

Then across the Silk Road.

And on towards Prestbury.

In Prestbury, we turned away from the Cheshire Cycleway route and instead climbed out of the village by turning left into Chelford Road.

Next, we turned into Alderley Road and then Whirley Grove as we skirted the edge of Macclesfield.

After all the climbing so far, we took another little break on Whirley Road.

Then we continued on towards Birtles and Over Alderley.

Along the way, we passed Birtles Hall.

The day had been brightened all the way through the thousands of daffodils on the sides of the road. At least it seemed spring was coming into view.

Birtles Lane provided another long steady climb as we headed towards Birtles village.

After which we passed Hare Hill (the start and finish of our Cheshire Cycleway) and then dropped down through Mottram St Andrew.

From Mottram St Andrew we then cycled towards Adlington.

However, before reaching Adlington, we instead turned towards Dean Row and then Woodford.

At Woodford, we turned into Church Lane. At this point, Andy and I went our separate ways. I cycled on through Bramhall, while Andy headed off home to Marple.

Today, we had cycled just over 30 miles on our Birtles route. It had been a hilly route too and represented another step-up towards me regaining my cycling fitness. I was really tired by the time I got home! Nonetheless, this had been a fabulous cycle ride.

You can view our Birtles route below: