OK, the title of this post is a little misleading. It wasn’t actually the return of Stockport Community Cycling Club rides following the coronavirus lockdown, the rides started back up again a few weeks ago. It wasn’t even Sarah’s return SCCC ride, she was back leader on the recent Alderley Edge ride. This cycle ride out to Bollington was, however, my return SCCC ride!

I was leading this club ride today and Sarah was the back-leader. I had put this ride together based on a regular route around Higher Poynton that Sarah and I would cycle last year during the early stages of lockdown.

There were ten of us who met at Hazel Grove Park & Ride on an overcast Saturday morning. We at SCCC are limiting numbers on the cycle rides at the moment, and there would be a second group following this same route setting off an hour later.

Our route began with us weaving our way through the back roads of Hazel Grove.

This brought us out onto Buxton Road.

After a steady climb, we turned into Norbury Hollow Road and crossed the Manchester-to-Buxton railway line.

There followed the first of four stiff climbs, as we made our way up Middlewood Road to Middlewood.

Next, we turned into Green Lane and then Shrigley Road North.

This took us towards the second stiff climb.

We cycled up the hill on Shrigley Road at the back of Lyme Park.

There are some fantastic views out towards Manchester at the top of this climb.

Unfortunately, the pressure required on the peddles proved too much for one of our bikes. Gary’s chain snapped halfway up the hill. Sadly, after a lengthy delay, it proved too difficult to repair on the spot. So Gary, with the help of one of our other riders, John, made his way home. Now we were two down.

Continuing along Shrigley Road, there was another stiff climb along the side of Pott Shrigley Golf Club before we turned off at Nab Quarry and into Long Lane.

There were more great views here too as we cycled down the lane.

The far end of Long Lane becomes Beeston Brow. This provided us with a challenge as cyclists, as it is both steep and cobbled. 

This brought us to Bollington. We briefly cycled along the main road, Palmerston Street, before turning into Adlington Road, which soon becomes Sugar Lane. Here was our fourth tough climb. It was possibly the sharpest too, but thankfully it is short. 

After dropping down Brookledge Lane at the end of Sugar Lane, and then into Roundy Lane, there was another brief stop, and more bike fettling.

From here, we continued into Cawley Lane and back towards Poynton.

Eventually, we reached the edges of Poynton village and into Coppice Lane.

Before finally making our way down Towers Road.

Then along London Road North and back to the Park & Ride. This road was much quieter when Sarah and I were cycling along here during the lockdown. Sadly, that pleasure is now a distant memory. It was back to being packed with static bumper-to-bumper cars.

This had been a short but challenging cycle ride for our little group. However, everyone said they had enjoyed themselves and it had been a lovely route. For me personally, it had been good to get back to SCCC group cycling again.

You can view our Bollington route below: