Fifteen Stockport Community Cycling Club cyclists met at Torkington Park on a typical spring morning for this Cheadle Circular cycle ride. The route had been put together by Tracey and she was leading the first of two groups. Sarah was leading this second ride, Lesley was the back leader, and I had a free pass for a change!

It seemed a typical club ride morning. Club leader Jim and his wife Barbara turned up walking the dog, just to say hello and hope we had a good cycle ride. Little did we know this would be the last time we spoke to Jim. While the photo below (and the main blog post photo) would also be the last photo taken of him. The following morning, on his way to meet up with some of us to recce a ride, he would suffer a tragic heart attack and passed away … RIP Jim.

I had spent a little time talking to Jim after everyone had left, so it took me a little while to catch up with the group again. I did so along the path through Mirrlees Fields.

We then weaved our way through Bramhall.

Then on through Bramhall.

Along the Ladybrook Cycleway.

And through Brookfield Park.

After leaving Brookfield Park, we headed up Schools Hill.

Though not all the way up, since we turned into the Bruntwood Park entrance a little way up.

In Bruntwood Park, we took a break.

Then left the park along the path heading for Etchells Road.

After crossing Etchells Road, we picked up the path taking us past Bradshaw Hall playing fields.

Then a little further along, the path towards Stanley Road.

We then worked our way around the various paths and roundabouts crossing the Handforth Bypass.

Followed by cycling up Grove Lane.

A mile further on, on the edge of Bramhall, we joined the cycle path running along the side of the Airport Link Road.

Over Woodford Road.

There was a strong headwind along some of the stretches.

Over Macclesfield Road.

Before eventually arriving back in Hazel Grove.

Then it was a final downhill along Buxton Old Road.

We had completed nearly 15 miles on this interesting urban route around the districts of Stockport. They are familiar roads and paths to us, bought no less enjoyable. After all, Jim’s mission in life had been to encourage people to get out on their bikes through rides such as this.

You can view our Cheadle Circular route below: