6th June 2019
Journey Length 14.93ml
Click Here For Route Via Ride with GPS
Meeting Graham once again at the base of the locks at Nob End with a planned area of exploration, we were quickly surrounded by a group of about 10 young teenagers. They just wanted to chat with us but were slightly hyper, a couple of them just couldn’t shut up. Feeling a little intimidated Graham explained to them that I was an old age patient who was allowed out on day release under his supervision. “Thanks for that pal they probably think I’m a right nut job now” I told him as we set off down the towpath towards Ringley leaving the group behind. Graham just smiled as usual.
My original plan as I explained to Graham was to head along the Outward Trail towards Radcliffe, but I wanted to go via Ringley Rd instead of going straight up Kearsley Rd. It was here we came across a a wonderful garden complete with its own clock tower.
This road is a steep hill and with Graham still suffering from a bad back we made slow progress, unfortunately for us this was to be the first of many hills on this adventure.
We took the path on the left of Ringley Rd which led us to the Outward Trail. We got to the bridge over the river at the end of the trail. Here we paused Graham had seen a path we had just passed and suggested we see where it led. As we turned about I noticed the sky , it was black as the ace of spades “wow looks like it’s going to chuck it down” I said. I then got my all weather cycling jacket out of my backpack at the same time noticing Graham hadn’t brought his. “Well pal I’ll put mine on then hopefully it’ll not rain, so in a roundabout way I’m keeping you dry as well”. It did rain but no where near as hard has expected, so we both managed to remain relatively dry.
We now entered Springwater Park in Whitefield where I’d heard there was a partially demolished bridge which would be good to explore. We rode along the path until we came to a fallen tree blocking our path. we dismounted and I pushed my bike under and followed. Graham though just stood there his bike was slightly taller than mine so wouldn’t push straight underneath. Puzzled we weighed up the problem, erm well, erm ” I could leave you here and pick you up on the way back ” I explained. Still more contemplation “You hold my bike and I’ll see if i can lift the tree” Graham said. No joy with that, then a miracle as we swapped holding bikes , my grip slipped and Grahams bike and it slipped sideways. Now it was low enough to push under the tree. ” Wow you’re a hero” Graham said excitedly .Ohh we do have fun with our idiotic ways.
Dropping down the path we followed it until we were in the middle of some woods, here the path disappeared and we had to push our bikes up between trees, branches etc. After much hard work we stumbled upon the bridge. Graham decided to venture onto the bridge but with my fear of heights I was too afraid, and Graham had a bit of a collywobble returning back from the bridge.
CLICK HERE FOR “Collywobbles” YouTube VIDEO
Now Graham found some kind of path up out of the dip, just as I was taking the call of nature. He shouted down ” You OK pal need any help “, I shouted back ” no pal I’m fine thanks I’ve had loads of wee’s before thanks “. We both had a little chuckle at this like a couple of kids.
Exiting the park onto Manchester Rd we turned right then turned left up a private road to find the path that would lead to Bury Golf club. We came to a stile hidden under a lot of undergrowth. Over the stile a bit of a path led down to Parr Brook, but that’s as far as we could go. Nature had taken over. Defeated we retraced our route.
We now headed up Hollins brow, yet another hill. At a mini roundabout we came across ta path, the Roch Valley Greenway which brought us up to Manchester Rd and then onto Radcliffe Rd.
Riding along Radcliffe Rd we turned onto Warth Fold Rd. It was here we came to a level crossing, with its barriers down and lights flashing. Graham told me this happened before on his way to work and to avoid being late for work he’d gone under the tram track via a tunnel further down the lane. So what else could we do? The same !. Entering the tunnel I noticed through a stone archway a footbridge under the railway bridge. So I called Graham back so we could explore it. The floor was just planks of wood some of which were loose and made a right clattering noise as we rode over them. This looked like a spot for a bit of video fun I thought
CLICK HERE FOR ” Graham The Stuntman ” YouTube VIDEO
It was now a straightforward run home along the canal. As we crossed over Water St at Radcliffe Graham pointed out that the narrow boat flower display had been removed by the council , indeed it had, but why. If anyone knows please leave a comment at the end.
Further along the canal we spotted a lovely sigh, a family of swans feeding. Then we both noticed the amount of plastic bottles and rubbish dumped in the canal. Graham and I chatted about this and as it was the anniversary of D-day we thought of all the men and women who had given their lives so we could live in a free country, just so some dickheads could just abuse, pollute and disrespect about everything. Its sometimes a very sad world we live in today.
Once at Meccano Bridge we had a breather before heading home along the canal towpath , which passes the back of Graham’s House. This part of the towpath has just been all resurfaced. Here Graham had an idea, “take a picture of before and after pal”. Just then we heard a voice from down the hill “that’s what I’ve just done” said a bloke emerging from the long grass, thinking we meant about the towpath , urmmm that’s not what Graham meant, he wanted me to take a photo of his back lands to compare to the beautiful gardens we saw in Ringley earlier for a bit of a laugh. Like a before and after scenario.
GRAHAMS BEFORE AND AFTER PICS
We parted company at the end of the towpath, sadly knowing there will be no adventures for a couple of week due to Graham going on his jolly bob’s. Until next time pal.
