Last weekend saw 37 Stockport Community Cycling Club members set off for a club weekend at Keele University. Along the way, we stopped off at Trentham Gardens for a cycle ride out to Eccleshall.

There were so many of us we had to split into two groups. Sarah and I were leading the first group, and the photos that follow are from this groups ride.

We set off through the ‘back-door’ of Trentham Gardens.

We then turned on to Newcastle Road and climbed the side of the Hanchurch Hills up to the village of Beech.

Turning off Newcastle Road we then made our way towards Swynnerton.

This took us along the ridge along Stab Lane.

Continuing on, we cycled through Swynnerton.

After Swynnerton, we next passed through Cold Meece.

And soon we were reaching the edges of Eccleshall.

Our lunch break was at Fletchers Garden Centre, on the far side of Eccleshall.

After lunch, we were briefly held up by a few bicycle mechanicals.

The hold up meant we met the second group as we were leaving.

Eventually, we set off for Yarnfield.

The sky above was overcast, but the forecast suggested it would be nothing more than that … hopefully.

After cycling through Yarnfield we reached Stone. Here we joined the Trent & Mersey canal. This also forms a section of NCN Route 5.

We followed the canal for the next few miles.

Eventually, we left the canal at Barlaston.

After turning on to Old Road, we headed back towards Trentham.

Our final section followed the Longton Brook Greenway.

Soon we were back at Trentham Gardens.

We had cycled nearly 23 miles along a varying and interesting route. It had been a great start to our Keele club weekend.