This new Stockport Community Cycling Club ride, a tour-de-force of South Manchester Parks, started, as it should, from a park. Didsbury Park to be precise. It was a fine spring morning. I was leading this first group, and Sarah was the back leader.

Following the group photo, we set off through the park and then into Didsbury village. Briefly joining NCN route 62 along the way.

After turning into Fog Lane, our next park was, appropriately enough, Fog Lane Park.

Leaving Fog Lane Park we picked up Parrswood Road.

Further along, we entered Ladybarn Park.

After leaving the park we headed up Ladybarn Road and towards the universities.

Here, we briefly touched on Birchfield Park.

Then, a little further on we entered Platt Fields Park.

And cycled past Platt Hall.

Now in the Rusholme area, our next park was Whitworth Park.

Quickly followed by Moss Side Park. Also known as Broadfield Park. Also known as Moss Side Community Park.

Leaving Moss Side, we joined NCN Route 6 for awhile.

This took us towards the Manchester Metropolitan University Birley campus.

On the other side of the campus is Royce Park.

And, across the road, Hulme Park (which we passed by without entering). The two open areas are often considered to be all part of Hulme Park.

The next stop was Hullard Park in Trafford.

Next door is Seymour Park. These two are definitely separate!

Upon leaving Seymour Park, we now turned east and headed along Ayres Road and began heading back towards the start.

This took us through St Mary’s Park off Alexandra Road.

Then, a little further on, though Alexandra Park.

We took a brief break here.

Back on our bikes again we joined NCN Route 6, then NCN Route 60 as it followed the Fallowfield Loop.

Leaving the loop, we next made our way through Hough End.

Before navigating our way through the streets to Old Moat Park.

After this, we cycled through Withington on our way to Northenden.

In Northenden (or is it Didsbury), we passed by Marie Louise Gardens.

The final park of the day we visited was Fletcher Moss Gardens.

We had cycled through 16 parks, passed nearby quite a few more, and covered just over 15 miles. Everyone had enjoyed this interesting route. They had cycled through parks they were familiar, and quite a few they weren’t.

You can view our South Manchester Parks route below: