Distance 19.4 mile

2nd June 2016

Click Here For Route Via Strava

Bury transport museum was to be our destination for this evenings adventure as we hadn’t visited this area for some considerable time
Arranging to meet Graham at the Meccano bridge at Nob End, I set off along the canal dropping down into Moses Gate country park until climbing back up to the canal at Nob End. As I waited for Graham I took in the scenery at the picnic area just over the bridge. Graham arrived a few minutes later but he was without helmet, upon quizzing him about his lack of helmet he said he hadn’t had time to adjust it, and as his tea was ready that took precedence, a mistake I thought as this was the second time this had happen and the fact we are extreme cyclists.
It was a lovely spring evening as we set off along the canal towards Bury, the sun was shining and there was a light breeze. Along our journey we came across various wildlife, a Mandarin Duck on the canal at Radcliffe (see photos)

Mandarin Duck

When we reached the end of the canal we took a short break. We continued up the hill over the Irwell river along the Daisyfield Greenway when Graham suddenly stopped and with a few expletives informed me that he’d left his sunglasses behind. On his return we proceeded along the Greenway and came across a couple of rabbits casually grazing with little concern about us being there.
Shortly we arrived at the Transport museum, to our dismay it was closed and all locked up. Not to be disappointed we rode up the road in search of a track that led to Greenmount. We soon found the track which was slightly hidden behind some trees. Following the track passed the fire station we crossed the Irwell which brought us out onto Woodhill Rd, here we knew it led to Burrs Country park so we headed that way hoping to pick up the track that continued up to Greenmount , unfortunately for us we had gone in the wrong direction, not for the first time this evening.
Working out where we should be heading we did a U-turn until we saw the sign for cycle route 6. After a steep climb we emerged onto Brandlesholme Rd ,once again we saw the Route 6 sign and off we went. This part of the route is named Kirklees Way which is the old Bury to Holcombe Brook railway line. It is a lovely scenic ride although it is nearly up hill all the way but is well worth the effort on a lovely evening like tonight.

WP_20160602_006[1] About 2 mile along we passed a cricket club on our right and then over a bridge crossing the beautiful Island Lodge, shortly after we came to the end of the route at Brandlesholme Road in Greenmount. Now we were here Graham thought we should turn left to get home, I thought it we should turn right, after some map checking and head scratching we agreed we should turn right. Down the road we went passing the lovely Greenmount cricket ground a lovely picturesque location, which we both commented at the time. From here we were on our way home which suited me as cycling to work and back earlier I was now beginning to feel the strain but as it should be all down hill now I thought ” not a problem , me being an extreme biker “
Once we reached Bury again we dodged the traffic finding our way back to the canal. As we proceeded along I found the going getting harder and harder but I had to plough on, sometimes Graham was in the lead and kept glancing behind and checking I was okay as “we never leave anyone behind , never!!.”
We eventually reached the Meccano bridge where we parted company, I text Peggy Lou who had asked me earlier to let her know so she could get some food ready for my return.
After leaving helmetless Graham I made my way home back along the route I had traveled earlier but this time it wasn’t as enjoyable but as I knew my evening meal was waiting for me it gave me the push I needed.