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Calm and sub-zero overnight with mist. As I packed up camp the
mist froze on my bike and a lot of ice was rolled away as I
packed my tent. The area is called Arpley Meadows and I followed
the muddy track to the next road where I had to be very careful
because of ice. I joined the Trans Pennine trail which was
extremely muddy and difficult to ride. It joined the line of an
old railway and some sections were deep in mud and hadn't had
any maintenance. |
Crossing the Ship Canal |
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The track reached the A56 just after passing under the M6. At
the underpass a sign said there was flooding ahead and a
diversion along the A56 should be followed. It was undated so I
didn't know if it was still valid. I was getting fed up of
following the mud so headed along the road towards Lymm. I
reached a bridge over the Bridgewater canal and looked down at a
decent towpath. |
Trans Pennine trail along the railway |
Lymm |
Back on the old railway trail |
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The trail soon deteriorated again. |
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I decided to follow it but it turned out to be an access to some
buildings. The continuing canal towpath was unrideable so
returned to the road and into Lymm. Further along the road I
re-joined the cycle trail along the railway. Some sections were
ridiculously muddy and deep water in places. I had no option but
to ride through. I reached Altrincham and the Bridgewater canal.
Riding conditions improved but the towpath was very busy with
walkers and other cyclists. Thankfully it was enjoyable cycling
all the way to Salford where I left the towpath and headed along
the roads to Media City but continuing mist meant I didn't see
much. Cycled around Salford Quays for a while then re-joined the
Bridgewater Canal to ride into Manchester City centre. |
Though I'd take a photo before its demolished |
Bridewater Canal. |
Bridgewater Canal junction. |
Arriving at Media City Salford. |
Rail bridge. |
Manchester Ship Canal Railway
(1885-2009) |
Manchester Ship Canal Railway (1885-2009) 1941 twin-track swing
bridge used to carry part of the 231 mile MSCR private railway.
The Detroit Bridge was formerly the twin-track railway
bridge that linked the Manchester Ship Canal Railway, a cargo
railway system on Manchester and Salford Docks, to Trafford
Park. The bridge is made from steel and was constructed by
Dorman Long and Co. Ltd. It was originally sited across the Ship
Canal close to Trafford Road Bridge to replace an older
single-track railway bridge that had been erected in the late
nineteenth century.
transportheritage.com |
Bridgewater Canal. |
Under Manchester. |
Up from the canal. |
I'll have to ride round. |
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At Canal Street I reached the end of the towpath and joined the
roads by Piccadilly Rail Station and on to the Cheshire Ring
Canal. It was easy riding for a while but once away from the
city centre started to deteriorate.
After Audenshaw I was
on the Huddersfield Narrow canal and began to look for water and
somewhere to camp. I diverted to an Aldi store but there were
long queues at the checkouts so I didn’t bother and returned to
the canal. |
Canal Street. |
Manchester view. |
Twin locks. |
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I spoke to a woman walker
who said water may be available further along at the canal
basin. It was the Portland Basin and also had a museum & cafe. I
could see people around but I'd already considered continuing to
Asda where the canal goes into tunnel and I'd have to divert
through their car park. I asked a man working on a barge if
there was a water tap. There was so I filled my water bottles
then continued to through the Asda car park. |
Branch canal. |
Above the Museum basin. |
Separate towpath. |
Really narrow canal. |
Modern underpass. |
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I was back on the Huddersfield Narrow canal and the towpath was
in a very bad state. I continued to Stalybridge but there was
nowhere to camp. I had no choice but to press on. The mud was
difficult to negotiate with a fully loaded touring bike and it
was getting dark. I reached the lock at Grove Rd near Heyrod and
decided to cross over the canal and pitch on the narrow strip of
grass. It was dark and as far as I know nobody was on the
towpath for the rest of the evening. |
