Sunday was the SCCC High Legh Ride. The ride started from the Gatley Station car park. Although Jim, the club leader, was not coming out cycling he met us there in the hope of being able to hand out some medals to the club members who had not been able to attend the club lunch the previous week. He was able to hand out another five before the ride started, making his trip worthwhile.

The High Legh ride is one that we did last year. There were 25 members that met in the Gatley Station car park.

We split into two groups as we set off, to avoid causing too much traffic disruption. Andy led the first group, as he was scheduled to lead the ride, with Graham as his back leader and Andy S lead the second group with me as his back leader. We had only gone about a mile when we came across a rider from the first group who had lost his chain – the chain link had broken. Graham then came back to see him (he had sped off to let the first group know what had happened and then came back to help out). Dave had some spare chain links and was able repair the chain so that we could continue.

We made our way to Heald Green.

We picked up the Airport Circular route as we made our way to the boundary of Manchester Airport.

We headed down Moss Lane towards Altrincham Road.

The two groups met at the junction of Moss Lane and Altrincham Lane.

Altrincham Rpad lead down to the Airport boundary.

We followed the airport boundary fence for a while.

The route then went across to the country towards Wilmslow Road and the airport tunnels.

We followed the cycle path along Wilmslow Road through the airport tunnels.

The tunnels go under the airport runways.

We then turned off down Mill Lane towards Ashley, up a hill.

Heading towards Tatton Park but then turning off towards Bucklow Hill.

Bucklow Hill has changed recently since the new bypass was opened. We just crossed over the ‘old’ road but I could see that there was a wide cycle path that appeared to follow it.

We then headed off to High Legh Garden Centre, where we were stopping for lunch.

The High Legh Railway was closed (until February).

Although there was a huge queue in the cafe,(mainly due to there being 25 of us!), the food was served exceptionally quickly and was very good.

Just as we were leaving the garden centre we were joined by John, another club member, so there were now 26 of us.

As we headed towards Dunham, we crossed over a narrow footbridge. A bike just fits through.

From Dunham we split into three groups as the roads there get very busy.

At Bowden we turned off the main road and followed a quieter road towards Hale.

The level crossing at Hale was closed for roadworks, so we had to divert. Somehow part of both the first two groups had got split up and some riders went in the wrong direction. Eventually we managed to all meet up again! We then reverted back into our groups and set off towards Wythenshawe Hospital.

Having skirted round the edge of the hospital, we then cycled down Hollyhedge Road to Gatley.

Reaching the edge of Gatley, we headed back to Gatley station.

Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the ride. We had cycled about 30 miles. You can view our route below: