This Manchester Airport Circular 2022 cycle ride seemed a familiar route. Yet, it wasn’t as familiar as we thought. We had previously cycled a paired-down version of this route as an afternoon ride and an alternative route starting from Bramhall.

We met in Heald Green on a pleasant August morning and set off along Finney Lane.

After navigating our way through Heald Green we reached Handforth and cycled down Clay Lane towards Styal.

When we turned into Moss Lane we joined a section of Regional Cycle Network Route 85, also known as the Airport Orbital Cycleway.

After taking a short detour we turn right into Altrincham Road.

This takes us over some cobbles, before becoming a gravel path. Continuing ahead we followed a wide track running directly alongside the airport’s perimeter fence.

Next, we turned left onto a narrow path between some trees. This path then dropped us down a steep double-back ramp into the Bollin Valley, and across some scrubland to a gate.

From here we dropped down to a roundabout on Wilmslow Road.

Following alongside the road we soon reach the twin tunnels underneath the runways.

We followed Wilmslow Road some more, then turned off for the Runway Visitor Park.

We took a short break here.

Then passed The Romper, one of the few remaining remnants of the original village of Ringway from which the airport originally took its name.

Next we joined Runger Lane.

Then detoured off for a little tour of Davenport Green.

This little detour finished by skirting the edge of Wythenshawe Hospital.

Back on Runger Lane, which soon became Thorley Lane, we followed the narrow cycle path alongside the road.

After crossing the bridge over the M56 spur we reached Painswick Park.

Here, we took a moment to gather our breath.

Leaving Painswick Park we exited onto Portway. We worked our way through Wythenshawe until we reached Simonsway. Here we were joined by the Metrolink tram line.

Eventually, we arrived at Styal Road, crossed this and returned to the start of Finney Lane.

This had been another interesting urban Stockport Community Cycling Club route. We had covered just over 16 miles on a fine summer’s day.

You can view our Manchester Airport Circular 2022 route below: