The Peover Heath ride has usually provided the opening longer ride for the year. This year, however, it brought the curtain down on the 2017 longer rides, which this year have stretched into December.

The temperatures have been falling rapidly recently, however, this Sunday provided a little chink of slightly warmer weather. This possible last opportunity to enjoy reasonable cycling weather brought out twenty Stockport Community Cycling Club members to the start at Davenport Green.

I was leading the ride and attempting to take the photos as well! Sarah was absent, running the Stockport 10 miler instead.

We set off through Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme.

Then crossed over the A34.

We cycled through Handforth towards Wilmslow

At Wilmslow, we had a brief rest in The Carrs, where we were able to enjoy the early winter scenery.

Leaving Wilmslow, we then made our way through Mobberley.

And then on to Knutsford.

We dropped down into Knutsford Park.

From here we made our way through Plumley.

After crossing over the M6 we entered the area of the Peovers – and there are a few of them. The first one we cycled through was Lower Peover (also known as Peover Inferior).

Among the Peovers there is also Peover Superior (or Over Peover) and, of course, Peover Heath, where we stopped for lunch.

This is a ride that has provided a few headaches for lunch over the years, and this one was no exception. The landlady at Park Gate Inn had been a little reticent when I had phoned to book. They would take us, but they were busy she said. ‘How many?’ ‘Between 12 and 15’. What time? Approx 12.30 – 1pm I replied. With that agreed I had put the phone down, only for her to ring back a few minutes later asking if it would be ok to offer a limited meal of sandwich and chips. Yes, I said.

Then, when I had phoned earlier to say there would be twenty of us and we would arrive around 1pm, the landlady had seemed a little panicked, ‘You said fifteen’ (true) ‘and for 12.30’ (false).

When we arrived, she had placed us in the back room, which was warm and cosy, and a real fire was on, but not enough seats.  However, the drinks, the platters of beef (and for some of us, cheese) baps, and the baskets of homemade chips that were brought out were truly fantastic. Finally, for the sandwich and chips, we were charged just £5 – a bargain. Everyone thought it was an excellent lunch stop (which presents quite a dilemma if I ever repeat this ride).

Stomachs full, we set off back towards Marthall.

We then turned towards Alderley Edge where we made our way through the back streets.

The route then brought us back through Wilmslow.

Finally we picked up the the outward route when returned through Bramhall.

In spite of some of the hassles, this proved an excellent forty mile ride on a fine winter day.

You  can view the Peover Heath route below: