The first Stockport Community Cycling Club Festive Ride proved extremely popular. So, this Festive Ride 2021 was an enhanced version of what has quickly become an annual, must repeat, fixture on the club ride calendar.

As we continue to navigate our way through the coronavirus pandemic, this year we had two groups. Andy S led the first group …

While I led group 2, with Jim the back-leader …

It was a cool, though bright wintry morning. The two groups turned up in colourful Christmas attire and suitably decorated bikes. We were aiming to put on a show on our cycle around the local village centres. 

Starting from Vernon Park car park, we set off in the direction of Brinnington.

Brinnington Rise also provided the first challenge of the day and suitably warmed us up.

From Brinnington, we next headed towards Reddish.

On the second little climb of the day, as we cycled out of the Vale and waved at the young children heading for their horse riding lessons, we watched as they smiled and waved back. 

Passing through Houldsworth Square in Reddish, we waved at the choir performing there … and they waved back.

The next village centre was Heaton Moor where we illicited some cheerful car horns on our way.

Then we navigated our way though Heaton Mersey and down to the River Mersey.

Next, it was Cheadle. And more amused onlookers and fascinated youngsters.

When cycling through Cheadle Hulme we were greeted by a Santa ringing his bell. Ho ho ho!

While, a little further on someone asked if we had just been to Bramhall Park. He was clearly thinking it was ‘groundhog day’, having been passed by Group 1 too.

We did go to Bramhall Park! Here we took a bit of a breather.

A little later we continued our journey, now cycling through Davenport.

We then crossed over the A6 and made our way along Hillgate towards Stockport town centre.

When in the town centre was walked though the Christmas market. To be honest, the town centre was quieter than we had expected.

After leaving the town centre we finished by cycling along Newbridge Lane and back to the start.

At the finish we were met by Andy S whose group hadn’t finished much earlier than ourselves.

Our Festive Ride 2021 was an enjoyable little romp through Stockport’s local centres. We noted a quieter atmosphere around the town than usual. That said, we still received plenty of waves, many smiling faces, and quite a few cheery honks of the horn and well wishes from passing drivers. Perhaps best of all, we enjoyed ourselves and enjoyed a bit of Christmas spirit.

You can view our Festive Ride 2021 route below: