This Giro D’Stockpoort cycle route was the third part of the trilogy in my Stockport Community Cycling Club series celebrating the iconic major European bike race tours following our Tour De Stockport and Vuelta a Stockport cycle rides. Of course, the French word ‘tour’, Spanish word ‘vuelta’, and Italian word ‘giro’, all simply translate to the English word ‘tour’.

It was a ride that had run into difficulties even before we arrived at the start line. When recceing the route I had been too ill to participate, so Sarah recced on my behalf and was, therefore, due to lead the ride. Then, a few days before the ride, she broke her little finger, so wouldn’t be able to cycle!

It all meant I would lead this ride without having attempted it prior to the club ride itself. Still, I have cycled an end-to-end without recceing it first. So what could go wrong!

Thankfully, with Neil helping me out (though he hadn’t been part of the recceing team either), not much. We would successfully navigate around this tricky route without any issues. In fact, the main issue would be not having a backup photographer, which highlighted the fact that my leading and checking the map every few seconds meant I would miss most of the best photo opportunities.

So, apologies in advance for the poor quality of this weeks photos.

We had met at Davenport station, then made our way through Cale Green Park, and crossed over Bramhall Lane into the back streets of Heaviley.

From Heaviley, we crossed over the A6 into Nangreave Road, then down Windermere Road.

This brought us out into St Thomas’ Park.

We weaved our way through Offerton.

And into Woodbank Park.

Where we joined the new cycle path which took us down towards Bredbury.

Briefly, after leaving Woodbank Park, we cycled along Newbridge Lane, before once again turning off. This time, at Portwood, where we joined Crescent Road.

After cycling up the hill towards Brinnington, we turned into Reddish Vale Country Park.

Then dropped down and briefly joined NCN Route 62 at Tiviot Way.

Next, we weaved our way through Reddish.

Passing through South Reddish Park along the way.

The next park on our list was Highfield Country Park.

Which brought us out onto the Fallowfield Loop.

We followed NCN Route 60 to Burnage.

In Burnage, we crossed over Kingsway.

Before arriving at Ladybarn Park, where we decided to take a short break.

From Ladybarn Park, we continued on to our next park, Fog Lane Park.

Then, after leaving Fog Lane Park and completing our brief sojourn into South Manchester, we made our way back into Stockport.

Our final park visit of the day, would be the path taking us through Heaton Mersey Common. 

From Heaton Mersey we cycled back towards Stockport town centre, navigating our way over the Pyramid roundabout.

Then up through Edgeley.

Before eventually arriving back in Davenport.

This urban ride had covered just over 15 miles. It was something different to our normal club rides, and very much enjoyed because of it. Continually, our cyclists would lose track of exactly where they were, even when, in reality, they were cycling along roads close to areas very familiar to them! 

You can view our Giro D’Stockport route below: