This short little trip where we cycle from Stretford to Liverpool, stay overnight, and return the following day is something Sarah and I haven’t done too often. Something a little different.

We would be making this cycling trip with our friends Andy and Mike. Indeed, the beginning of the ride was leaving the drive of Mike’s home!

Weatherwise, we weren’t sure what was going to happen. That said, it was a pleasant sunny morning when we set off.

We started by cycling to Stretford centre and then joining the Bridgewater Canal.

We were following local cycle route 82 and the canal took us through Sale.

Just after Broadheath we left the canal and picked up National Route 62, the Trans Pennine Trail as it followed the old Lymm railway path.

It might have been bright at the start of the ride, but seven or so miles in and the heavens opened for the first time. We took shelter while it poured down.

The rain soon abated, so we set off again. It was warm too, so we also chanced taking our jackets off.

At Warrington, we crossed over the Manchester Ship Canal.

Then continued along a track overlooking the canal.

A few miles further on we had to cross over the River Mersey. Ahead were dark and foreboding skys.

Those clouds weren’t empty either, as we discovered when the trail began following the St Helens Canal.

We took shelter again …

Once again the rain abated, allowing us to carry on with our journey.

The trail passed Fiddlers Ferry Power Station.

Then goes under the new Mersey Gateway Bridge.

Before arriving in Widnes.

Here we found the Zenas Cafe at the West Bank Boat Club. To be honest, it was a disappointment. They were complaining they had prepared for a busy evening the previous day due to a concert nearby, but the stewards had guided people to different entrance. Yet, they kept coming back saying they didn’t have the fillings for sandwiches we ordered. We had to amend our orders at least three times! The food  when it arrived was basic and ok.

Just as we were about to set off, Mike discovered he had a puncture. A few minutes later, the heavens opened again. This was a torrential downpour too!

Mike must have planned the puncture, for we were able to take cover under the canopy and fix the puncture while it bucketed it down.

Puncture fixed, the rain abating again, and we were on our way … again.

We left the banks of the River Mersey at Hale Bank, then NCN Route 62 again at Woolton. The trail now followed the line of an old railway track.

A couple of miles further on we left the trail and joined NCN Route 56.

This took us past Childwall Abbey. This is in fact, the only medieval church remaining in the Metropolitan borough of Liverpool.

Another few miles and we arrived at the entrance to Sefton Park.

Followed by the smaller, but more interesting (according to us), Princes Park. And, yes, it started raining again.

Now in the heart of Liverpool, as we cycled through Toxteth, ahead was Liverpool Cathedral.

From the cathedral, we then dropped down towards Albert Dock.

Amazingly, it was nice and sunny now. Typical!

We had cycled some 37 miles to arrive here. In spite of  the rain, it had been an enjoyable day of cycling. You can view our cycle route from Stretford to Liverpool below:

After, a brief rest we headed off to find a beer …

And later, an evening meal …