Ten Stockport Community Cycling Club cyclists met at Torkington Park for this cycle ride out to Bollington. Neil was leading this second group. Neither Neil, today’s ride leader, or I had managed to recce this route, but we were confident of navigating our way round!

Meanwhile, Sarah was resting in preparation for the Stockport 10 running event tomorrow.

We are moving into winter, so even though it was relatively mild at the start, we were all ready for the rain forecast mid way through the ride.

Setting off, we headed up Torkington Old Road, then turned into Threaphurst Lane.

At the end of Threaphurst Lane, we met the A6 … and a queue of cars. We almost smiled as we turned right across them, and carried on towards Norbury Hollow.

Both cars and bikes had to wait in the hollow, however, for a couple of trains to pass.

Then it was onwards up the first tough little climb of the day, up Middlewood Road.

This was followed by cycling through Higher Poynton.

The next tough little climb was along the stretch of Shrigley Road at the back of Lyme Park.

At the top we took a short breather to admire the view. It may have been a little murky, but it was still impressive.

After a short rest, we continued along Shrigley Road.

There was another tough little climb a little further on up Shrigley Road as we continued on towards Pott Shrigley.

A little further on we turned off Shrigley Road and into Spuley Lane.

At the end of Spuley Lane, an option might have been to head up Blaze Hill! Thankfully, for today, we turned right and headed towards Bollington instead.

In the centre of Bollington we took another break at the Recreation Ground.

Then it was straight up another tough little hill into Sugar Lane.

A little further up Sugar Lane, we turned off into Hole House Lane and made our way through Whiteley Green.

Eventually, we came out on to the A523, London Road.

A couple of miles up London Road, we turned off into Street Lane.

This brought us to the edge of Poynton again.

We made our way around  the edge of Poynton before turning into Waterloo Road.

Then down Park Lane towards the centre.

Before turning off and weaving our way through the back streets.

This eventually brought us back on to the A523 again.

At the Manchester Airport Eastern Link Road, we navigated our way around the crossing system.

Then followed the link road to Hazel Grove.

Today’s cycle ride had covered nearly 20 miles. It had been a lumpy, challenging, and enjoyable route. Thankfully, the rain had held off too, so that was an added bonus.

You can view our Bollington route below: