Yes, it was a day that was probably more suited to ducks or participating in water sports rather than cycling. Nonetheless the calendar showed that Saturday’s Sett Valley ride was the last Stockport Community Cycling Club ride of the year, so Sarah and I dutifully donned our cycling wet gear and set off for New Mills Leisure Centre where the ride was starting from in order to meet up with any other club members daft enough to be out in the rain.

Usually this annual pre-New Year ride follows a variety of off-road paths, including a visit to The Torrs. However this year, due to the recent heavy rainfall (and the rainfall as we cycled!) we stuck more to the roads. So, leaving the leisure centre we left New Mills via Bridge Street as we made our way towards Hayfield.

At Hayfield we followed Valley Road for a stretch before turning back to the village centre by heading back down Kinder Road.

We decided to have our coffee break at The Royal Hotel in the centre of Hayfield. It was a welcome respite from the rain – and made even more enjoyable when a plate of mince pies was provided on the house!

Hayfield is a lovely little village.

Eventually the rain could be avoided no longer. So we set off back to New Mills along the Sett Valley Trail.

We cut the ride short so arrived back in New Mills soaked and cold.  We had only cycled 7 1/2 miles but it was plenty!  Including the cycle to New Mills and back, Sarah and I had completed approximately 25 miles …and it had rained for every moment of those miles. Still it was good to get out on the bike, it always is. Bring on 2013!