23rd May 2019
Journey Length 15.2ml
Click Here For Route Via Ride with GPS
Over the winter months I have been looking for new places for our adventures, but this is proving a difficult task, we have visited nearly all the places around us of interest . Nevertheless with a bit of hard work I have come across some places we could explore, tonights adventure was to be one of them.
Our adventures always take priority over anything else, so to make sure we are in peak physical fitness and at our optimum performance we refrain from riding to work on Thursday’s , but this week I broke the rule. Maybe this was a bad idea. I returned home from work and received a text from Graham, “got a plan ?”.
I’d forgotten to text him after checking his back was up to another adventure earlier . I messaged him we’d meet at the basin at Nob End 6.30pm. A few minutes later I received another message “Kk 6.15” Only seconds later “Traffic bad. 6.30”
Then 20 mins later “Still not moving”.
I was beginning to think I’d put the mockers on our adventure by breaking the rules but then “Home in 5” the message read. Whoopee we were on. I set off at a lick to the basin at the base of the locks, our meeting place of choice. Sat on one of the benches I waited for him to arrive .
Nob End Basin
After 15 mins I was wondering where he was. Looking up to Meccano Bridge I could see someone who looked like Graham, so I stood up and waved frantically to no avail, so I rang him, straight to voicemail it went. Once again I’m waving like a mad man, surely he’s seen me now. Still no response, so begrudgingly I rode up the steep hill, the one thing I’d wanted to avoid in the first place, to where he was. “Guess what pal , I’ve just been telling a couple of blokes on mountain bikes about our Blog , well impressed” he said excitedly out. Maybe some more followers.
Now eventually united we set off on our quest to find the old railway junction at Clifton station. We were armed with some old maps of the junction as well as our hi-tech smart phones, so we were in a confident mood.
We rode through Clifton marina and then under the M60 motorway weaving under the railway before coming to an industrial estate where one of the buildings was called Junction House yeah we thought this is the right place, should be a doddle now.
We rode down the hill and up to the Station. Once on the platform we consulted the old maps to get our bearings, the whoosh , a train went speeding past nearly sucking Graham and myself off. After studying the maps we set off in the direction we anticipated would lead us to some evidence of the old railway lines of junction. Sadly we were unable to find any such evidence apart from an old bus stop. This may be due to the lack of time and also the land is well overgrown and I think we may have to return more towards autumn time We did stumble on what looked like a World War 2 look out post, which was interesting.
Not too disappointed Graham suggested we head down Lumms Ln and follow it round until we come to Agecroft Rd and turn right so we can pick up the path back alongside the river Irwell. Surprisingly I was unsure exactly where we were but I needn’t have worried Graham had taken control and we were soon at the path at the side of the river.
Now with Graham suffering with his back he mentioned that he was wearing a back belt for support which was helping him considerably. He asked “do you want to see it pal” well that was something I couldn’t pass up could I. Unfortunately he declined to be photographed.
At then end of the path we came to Clifton Viaduct that used to take the canal over the river Irwell, here we dithered like 2 old men, which path to follow home. Eventually we came to a decision and set off. We were enjoying a nice chat as we rode down The Outward trail, before stopping for a water break. As we chatted away Graham let some wind out of his behind, commenting “Ohh I seem to have done a little trump” it wasn’t long before I followed suit. Must be all the excursion of extreme biking!!
We were on Ringley Rd when Graham suggested we went down Prestolee Rd to the canal. Now to say I don’t like this road is an understatement, I can’t particularly say why, but I just don’t like it. It led straight onto the canal towpath near Nob End. We parted company there and I set off home along the path through Moses Gate County Park, contemplating our evening’s adventure, had it been a failure not finding the old railway line, or was it a success because we’d once again found new places. I think I’ll go with the latter. Unfortunately we have no adventure next Thursday but we both hope to be out on the following Sunday along with Simmy.
Great read