It was a cold and windy Sunday, January morning that witnessed a surprisingly healthy crowd of Stockport Community Cycling Club members ready for this Wizard 2019 cycle ride. Boy, was it windy – many of us who had cycled to the start were shattered before the ride had even begun!

The ride began in Timperley and headed off through Altrincham.

We had only cycled a mile or so, and we had our first puncture of the day. Thankfully it would also be the last.

We continued on through Hale.

And on through Mobberley.

Our route continued to follow local cycle network route 70 as we made our way towards Nether Alderley.

We reached the bottom of Artist Lane.

This is a well-known climb up to the Wizard Pub on the Edge of Alderley.

We have previously tackled this climb and enjoyed lunch at the cafe at the top as a reward (2013, 2015).  However, this time, it was a brief break and then we cycled back down the hill again!

Then back through Nether Alderley.

And on towards Ollerton.

From Ollerton, we turned towards Knutsford.

Our lunch stop was at the Courtyard Coffee House.

Interestingly for us, as cyclists, it is also the home of the Penny Farthing Museum.

The cafe provided a hearty choice of food, including a gluten-free menu.

Well-fed, we continued on our way through Knutsford.

And into Tatton Park.

We had cycled through the park a few weeks previously. However, this time we didn’t stop here.

There was the speedy downhill of Ashley Road.

From Ashley, we made our way back through Hale and Altrincham.

Just as we were arriving back at the start the weather took another turn for the worse!

Our Wizard 2019 route had covered nearly 32 miles. I’d like to say it had been a fantastic ride, however, the wind and rain had rather spoilt it. That said, there had been moments of fine cycling, there always is when you are out on your bike.

You can view the route below: