We always enjoy new Stockport Community Cycling Club rides. Crime Lake wasn’t exactly a club new destination, since this was it’s third iteration, but somehow Sarah and I had managed to miss the previous two visits. We were therefore eagerly looking forward to this trip to Oldham.

Twenty four club members met at Portland Basin on a cool March morning.

  

We began by making our way through Ashton-Under-Lyme.

Soon we picked the Ashton to Oldham Greenway.

At Park Bridge there was a steep climb up Alt Lane.

From here we headed towards Lees.

Through Leesbrook Nature Park.

And around the edges of Oldham.

Eventually we arrived at Alexandra Park.

At the cafe in the park we stopped for the coffee break.

I think we overwhelmed them a bit with our numbers. And for Sarah and I, most criminal of all was the fact that they had nothing that was gluten-free beyond a cup of coffee! Oh well. Thankfully, for the rest of us the food was ok.

Back on our bikes we set off for Hathershaw.

And then Daisy Nook.

Here we arrived at Crime Lake itself. The word ‘crime’ probably refers to a meadow rather than anything sinister, though there have been a few criminal incidents for those intent on finding darker meanings for the area.

In reality, Daisy Nook Country Park, at the heart of the Medlock Valley is a great little place for cycling.

Even if it was the start of a series of gates.

These were a real pain! Many of them clearly designed by idiots.

Soon we picked up the old Hollinwood Canal.

We passed Ryecroft Hall in Audenshaw.

Before eventually joining the Ashton Canal at Guide Bridge.

Eventually we arrived back at Portland Basin.

This was a ride of just under 15 miles. For a Saturday ride there had been quite a few testing lumpy sections, and this had helped to make for a very enjoyable tour to the edges of Oldham.

You can view our Crime Lake route below:

[sgpx gpx=”/wp-content/uploads/gpx/sccc-crime-lake-2016.gpx”].