As the heatwave across the UK continues, Sunday briefly brought  us a little light relief with overcast conditions. Great for cycling, as shown by the large turnout for Stockport Community Cycling Club‘s latest 30 mile ride. ‘Off to see the Wizard’ of course referred to cycling to Alderley Edge, with it’s famous links with wizardry and Alan Garner’s The Weirdstone of Brisingamen.

We started from Timperley Sports Club. Upon leaving Timperley we weaved our way through through the back streets of Altrincham towards Mobberley.

  

From Mobberley we next cycled through Warford.

  

  

We reached Alderley Edge. It was then a climb up Artists Lane for lunch at the aptly named Wizard Tea Rooms. The climb up Artists Lane is always a challenge and guaranteed to bring some rosiness to the cheeks and work up an appetite. Food at the Wizard Tea Rooms is basic and cheap. It is however wholesome and tasty. The staff are pleasant. Sadly the nature of having only basic choices means there isn’t a lot of choice for those requiring gluten-free foods, baked potatoes are just about all that is suitable.

  

After lunch it was back through Alderley Edge starting by a welcome ‘downhill’ down Artists Lane.

We continued on through Ollerton.

Next we reached Knutsford and cycled through Tatton Park, always an enjoyable experience. Finally we made our way through Ashley and then weaved our way once again through Altrincham again back to Timperley Sports Club.

This was another of Stockport Community Cycling Club‘s enjoyable trips out to Alderley Edge and Cheshire. Overall the ‘Off to see the Wizard’ ride covered nearly 32 miles. When including our ride to the start and then back home again after the ride Sarah and I had cycled in total  over 50 miles.