Thursday 16 January 2025 - The Fallowfield Loopline

We start with a picture from yesterday, when I recommenced bike rides after a two week break due to snow and ice. Sadly, our friend Don didn't wait quite as long and had a black ice adventure that will curtail his activities for six months. Our thoughts are with you Don.

The picture above is near the far point of my 6 mile there and back route that I'm trying to do every day to help my dodgy knee get better. I turn around at the end of the resurfaced section of towpath beyond where the Bay Malton used to ply its trade. Not far beyond this is the breach of the canal due to an inundated conduit that occurred during a recent storm. That section of towpath/canal may be lost for years to come.

Anyway, this morning I decided to brave the frost and any remaining ice and enjoy the 42.5km ride from home that follows the Fallowfield Loop. I've reported on this before, here, so today I'll simply annotate the photos. Slightly more than usual due to me being on my own and therefore not keeping anyone waiting when I stopped.

The towpath near home, with the canal's icy surface glinting in the sunshine.

The Bridge, by Dane Road, with several barges moored beside the pub.

The canal near Stretford, just before my route leaves the towpath.

I stopped here to finish my coffee on the way back.

Woodland in Chorlton Ees Nature Reserve.

Jackson's Boat Bridge, near my old house in Chorltonville.

On Sustrans Route 6 in Fallowfield.

Coffee break after about 20km near Levenshulme.

The Ashton Canal is reached in Audenshaw. There were lots of good reflections today.

The rise out of Manchester on the Loopline is imperceptible, but there are numerous locks on the descent back down to the city centre, which can be speedy, but today caution was needed to avoid any ice (just one small patch on a bridge in the city centre), and despite appearances above, the towpath was full of pedestrians, runners and dog walkers today. Plenty of space for everyone, but progress on a bike was slow if you were to be polite.

More reflections as the city centre is approached.

The towpath tunnels under roads and buildings as it passes through the city centre.

This is before the canal runs next to the River Irwell. Note the nice brick towpath.

A little further on, evidence of the incursion of the River Irwell onto the towpath in recent storms has left a muddy residue. A good hosing down of the bike was needed later.

My last picture was taken at the bridge at Water's Meet, where the branch of the canal pictured leads to the Trafford Centre, Worsley, and our route to RHS Bridgewater and Pennington Flash.

Here's my route - you can make out the slightly bolder lollipop below. It's 42.5km, with about 170 metres ascent, taking me a little under 3 hours today, plus 20 minutes of stops for photos, coffee, etc.

A great way to spent a sunny morning in Manchester. Where were you!?