Our third, and final, recce ride of our weekend at Keele, in preparation for the Stockport Community Cycling Club upcoming weekend away, was the shorter ride to Wedgewood.

Again, we left by the back door of Keele University.

The first seven miles followed the same route as the longer ride.

The route starts to change, however, when we change direction and head for Cotes Heath.

Then Swynnerton … but from a different direction than previously.

We also pick up the Trent & Mersey canal and NCN Route 5 at the point we left it on the Saturday ride.

We follow the canal to Wedgwood.

We had to cross one of the busiest national routes.

However, we finally reach World of Wedgwood, on the edge of Stoke-on-Trent.

This is where we stop for lunch. There are plenty of options and the food is excellent.

This is, of course, the home of the famous Wedgwood tableware and teaware.

After lunch, we leave Wedgewood potteries and pick up the canal again.

The canal takes us into the heart of Stoke.

Eventually, we leave the canal and weave our way towards the Lyme Valley Freeway.

This is a crackin’ route. It takes you through the heart of Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Unfortunately, as we entered the outskirts of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Sarah was stung on the lip by a wasp. It was extremely painful and the lip quickly swelled up. We detoured to Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre and a chemist. However, they simply advised something cold. It’s amazing what an ice lolly can do to improve your health! 🙂

Thankfully, following the ice lolly treatment, Sarah quickly recovered and we weaved our way through Newcastle-under-Lyme to eventually pick up the Newcastle Greenway (NCN Route 551).

This path follows an old railway line passing through the village of Silverdale.

Eventually, we return to Keele.

This path has been the most gentle of the routes back to Keele University.

This was another challenging, but enjoyable cycle ride around Keele. We are confident SCCC members will enjoy this cycle ride.

You can view the SCCC Club Weekend ride to Wedgwood below: