I've enjoyed this 60ish km bike ride several times before, most recently on 1 September 2019, when I reported here, with links to other reports, so I don't need to reiterate the route and other information in this posting. There are also plenty of photos in those earlier reports, but as it was a 'good weather' day, I felt obliged to take some more, starting with one (above) as I was leaving Sale, heading towards Dane Road soon after 8:30am.
Rather than repeat previous images, I decided to stop every time the Garmin gadget clocked another 5km - here are the results:
After 5km, by the Bridgewater Canal in Stretford
After 10km, approaching Barton upon Irwell, where the canal crosses over Manchester Ship Canal
After 15km, on the loopline near Roe Green, shortly before the branch right to Bolton
After 20km, shortly before crossing the M61 motorway in Farnworth - the loopline has been destroyed here, but good tracks lead back to it
After 25km, crossing an enclosed bridge in view of the centre of Bolton
After 30km, a picnic break at Nob End, accompanied by the twittering of a flock of long-tailed tits
After 35km, on the Irwell Sculpture Trail (National Cycle Route Number 6) near Ringley
After 40km, past new housing on Kersal Vale Road on the outskirts of Salford (a reminder of the Preston Guild Wheel)
After 45km, past open land by the River Irwell in Salford (above and below)
After 50km, after a short section in town, back beside the Bridgewater Canal near the 'Theatre of Dreams'
After 55km, at the bridge under Dane Road by the Bridge Inn, looking ahead towards the houses pictured in the first image shown above
There is no 60km image, as the Garmin only clocked 58.4km, with 460 metres ascent, in 4 hours 24 minutes, including a 15 minute break at Nob End. Here's the route, shown in more detail in the earlier postings referred to above.
So that's my report on a largely uneventful bike ride. No incidents, a few pleasant chats with folk, swans and ducks on the canals, just a pleasant sunny morning ride.
2 comments:
That looks a good circuit, but I didn't see where Bury came into it?
Novel idea to take a picture every 5K.
Fair point BC, but the route touches on Radcliffe, which is the outskirts of Bury. I suppose I called it that because it uses a track that is part of a Bury/Middleton loop that I do.
I've tried taking pictures at set intervals before. It's often quite challenging to get a decent picture - not that I succeed very often on that score anyway!
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