You wake up on a Sunday morning. Outside it is still dark, it’s winter, it’s cold, the wind is blowing, and it looks like rain is on the way. Do I go cycling or do I stay at home snuggled up in lovely warm bed? You go cycling of course! This was pretty much the situation when I woke this morning for the latest Stockport Community Cycling Club ride. However since I was leading the ride, the choice of staying in bed was not really an option.

So it was that we met outside Bramhall Library, ten hardy souls. We started by cycling though Handforth and Wilmslow.

Not long after we set off the weather took a turn for the worst and it was soon raining – we were soon cycling through pools of water that covered the width of the road. The wind also made it seem as if we were cycling through treacle. And the day was still early!

Thankfully the weather soon began to brighten up as we made our way Ollerton, Over Peover and Goostrey.

The rain had made Swettenham ford seem like a torrent and a swollen river. Perhaps not surprisingly none of the group decided to chance cycling through the ford itself, preferring to take the bridge by its side!

Lunch was taken at the Blue Bell Inn at Spen Green, near Congleton. And what a fantastic lunch stop it was! The staff were extremely helpful, the food arrived quickly, and it was was well presented and tasty too. The Blue Bell Inn is well worth a visit.

The journey back then took us through some lovely Cheshire countryside (and more river like pools of water!) as we cycled through Marton, Gawsworth and Mottram St Andrew.

We finally arrived back in Bramhall having cycled 47 miles. I think we were all rather tired having fought the wind in the morning and a few hills on the return. We had however really enjoyed the cycle ride and being out in the countryside. You see, sometimes a day that begins by  not offering too much hope can often prove to be one of the best.

A little side note to finish. Paul, the guy in the centre of the photo, nearly missed today’s ride. Having finished work at 10.00am he cycled to catch up with us, and then missed us en-route. This meant that the first time we actually met up with him was at the finish of the ride!  I hope you enjoyed the cycle ride Paul! 🙂