The previous week had witnessed extreme weather conditions. Indeed, as a result, we had called off a recce of this Manchester Airport Circular cycle ride. It meant I would lead this ride ‘on the hoof’ so to speak. Sarah was missing too since she was recceing a run around Coniston Water. Thankfully, we have cycled various Manchester Airport Circular versions before.

We were a select group of nine that met at Bramhall. Occasionally small groups are best!

We began by cycling along Ack Lane East to Cheadle Hulme.

Then weaved our way through the back streets of Cheadle Hulme towards Heald Green.

More navigating through back streets followed.

Leaving Heald Green for Wythenshawe we picked up the cycleway alongside Simonsway and briefly joined local cycle route 85.

Next, we turned off Simonsway and into Shadow Moss Lane.

Then Cornishway followed by Hilary Road.

This brought us to Painswick Park where we rejoined local route 85. Route 85 also takes in much of the Manchester Airport Orbital Cycleway.

After leaving the park, we continued to follow local route 85 along Ringer Lane.

Then Wilmslow Road. In doing so we cycled through the tunnels underneath the airport runways.

Leaving the tunnels we made our way up towards the airport runway perimeter fence.

Here we took a short break.

After the break, we left local route 85 and set off towards Styal.

After crossing Hollin Lane, we joined Station Road.

Followed by Clay Lane.

… which contained a puddle or two, and was rather muddy.

This brought us back to Heald Green.

Where we joined the A555, the Airport Link Road. Along the way, we had to cycle our way through this plume of smoke from a nearby major fire. It was really windy here too!

We continued to follow the A555 as it brought us back to Bramhall.

One final flurry of navigating back streets.

Then we were back to the start.

We had cycled 16 miles around the perimeter of Manchester Airport. It had been windy in parts, but our small group seemed to have really enjoyed the ride.

You can view our Manchester Airport Circular route below: