This week we should have been on our main summer tour, cycling along the Welsh Borders. Sadly, due to the coronavirus pandemic, this tour wasn’t happening. Sarah and I had left our annual leave in place since we have a lot of household DIY to do. We did, however, to put aside a little bit of time for some cycling. So it was that we met up with a few friends in Stretford for a cycle ride out to Leigh.

We began by heading out through Trafford Park.

And past the Trafford Centre.

We crossed over Barton Bridge.

Then continued along Barton Road alongside the Bridgewater Canal for awhile.

At Monton, we joined NCN Route 55, also known as the Roe Green Loopline.

A little further on we branched off on to the Tyldesley Loopline.

Still following NCN Route 55, at the end of the Tyldesley Loopline, at Ellenbrook, we picked up the Leigh Guided Busway and followed this for the next few miles.

Towards the end of our journey along the busway, we were forced to take a breather while we fixed Mike’s puncture.

Eventually, we arrived in Leigh.

After weaving our way through the town we found the Stretford and Leigh branch of the Bridgewater Canal. This also forms a section of local network cycle route 82.

We have cycled along this route previously, and it was one of the muddiest rides I have ever been on!

As you can see, a proper path has now been installed as an extension to The Bridgewater Way, and it was a joy to cycle along it.

Mike knew a spot in Astley Green where we could eat our lunch, so we left the canal for a short while.

Unfortunately, the spot was unavailable, so we got back on the canal and continued on.

Thankfully, it was only a short journey on to Boothstown Marina.

And here there was space for us to stop and eat.

Lunch eaten, we continued along the canal

We left The Bridgewater Way at Worsley.

A little further on we joined the Port Salford Greenway.

Leaving the greenway we cycled through Peel Green cemetery.

Then on the other side, we picked up the path alongside Liverpool Road. It’s not the most pleasant section of cycle path since it runs at the side of a busy highway.

Thankfully, after a short stretch along the side of the Cadishead Way, we turned off and crossed over the Manchester Ship Canal at Irlam locks.

Our final section of the route took us through Urmston.

Our route from Stretford to Leigh had covered nearly 28 miles. It had been an enjoyable start to our annual leave week. Now, it was time to put the bikes away and get on with the DIY!

You can view our Stretford to Leigh route below: