Eaten Alive In Heaton Park

4th July 2024

Click Here To See Our Route

We were back to Thursday for our adventure this week and an expedition to Heaton Park . After last weeks disaster with the loss of my brakes, I had successfully repaired them. I even fitted some new tyres, all ready for tonight.

I met Graham at our rendezvous point of the Meccano bridge. When he arrived, he at once noticed my new tyres. “Wow pal, got yourself some new tyres, they’re smart, look like something off a 70s Cadillac “ indeed they did.

I’d informed Graham earlier that we would hopefully be heading towards Heaton Park. Heaton Park is some distance away. However, he was excited about the idea. We didn’t hang around, there was no time for our normal idle chit chat we had a mission to finish.

All week the weather had been glorious sweltering in a heatwave, today was no exception. The sun was beating down from a cloudless sky when we set off.

We rode down the steep hill alongside the derelict locks at Nob End. It was a good test for my brakes. Thankfully, all was good. This led us on to the Manchester arm of the canal. We reached its end at Ringley Locks. Sadly, nothing remains of them now. As we rode through Prestolee on the path we spotted a small herd of cows happily grazing away in a field on the opposite bank. Cows increasingly feature more and more recently

As we rode down past the Horseshoe pub Graham remembered about a large house that was being constructed on the river bank the last time we were down here, so he suggested we take a look. Wow it certainly had progressed. It’s a massive stone building right on the river bank. Graham pointed out that it blocked the views of the river from the large houses on the opposite side of the road “ bet they’re not happy wouldn’t like that as my view , don’t know how they even got planning permission “ he remarked

Our route took us past the water treatment works. I asked Graham if he thought you would get used to the pungent smell. He said that he thought you would eventually. However, neither of us fancied putting it to the test.

We passed a mound of rubbish at the side of the road that had obviously been fly tipped. As we turned the corner Graham spotted a van coming towards us , upon this Graham called out “ Bet that’s him who’s dumped it pal , make a note of his registration number” as the van past us it was obvious he was from the garden centre down the road but it did stop Graham stating “ looked guilty to me pal “

We had made good progress in the stifling heat. We were now in Waterdale park, a lovely green area with ponds scattered around , full of wildlife. We followed the path that runs parallel with the river until we needed to take a left turn. The turn off was blocked by loads of pipes. Oh no, not again we thought after last week’s diversion. We studied the fencing around the site but there was no way through. So it was another diversion around but at least this one was easy and on a path. We soon found ourselves back on our original route and were met with an unusual barrier that we’d either not seen before or hadn’t noticed. It had a cut out on one side just at the height of our pedals, obviously to let cyclists through easily. Just through the barrier we stopped to let a cyclist pass who was coming in the opposite direction. We took this opportunity to rest and dismount our bikes and get some much needed fluids onboard. Just as Graham was getting back on his bike he let out a very noisy pump. He turned to me with his silly grin on his face apologising. At that moment, I noticed a jogger right at the side of Graham. I called to Graham, who was now looking a little embarrassed. “It’s alright pal, he’s got his earphones in, he didn’t hear you.” We both had a little chuckle to ourselves as we rode on the Clough path . Here we passed some people , as well as ringing my bell I called out ” another bike coming ” so the person knew there was more than myself. A little piece of biking etiquette. The area looked very eerie with all the trees surrounding us. We turned onto Clough lane, a steep dirt covered road. “We’re doing some hills again on this one eBay” I heard from behind me. It was true it was quite hilly in this area. I reassured him that at least it’ll be all downhill on the way home. Part way up the hill we passed an old abandoned house that looked pretty creepy too, we didn’t hang around here either

After a few left and right turns we were at the traffic lights of the junction of Chester St and Bury New Rd. Sat at the lights Graham kept asking “ready pal ?”, “ you ready pal” , I replied “I was born ready “. As the lights changed to green once again “ ready pal” came the cry ,but I couldn’t resist myself, ” give me a second pal I’m not quite ready “ I replied. Graham was stunned into silence. Once across Bury New road we climbed steadily through leafy picturesque streets until we reached Bury Old Rd where we turned right, surprisingly easily as it is a very busy Junction . We travelled only a short distance until we turned for Heaton Park, our destination for this evening’s adventure. Upon entering the road up to the park I spotted a small church on our right , St Margaret’s A quick stop off to have a little look around and then it was off to the park itself. It was here I told Graham about a viewing point that I read about in the park, apparently it is the highest point in Manchester. He was enthusiastic for us to find it.

We entered the park from the west side and proceeded to follow some paths. The park is huge. I had earlier created a route to follow. This way, we wouldn’t waste time getting lost. It nearly worked. We hadn’t cycled more than 200m before we were doing a u turn . Back on track we paused just after we had passed through the tunnel and causeway. We decided it would be a good idea to take our selfie in front of the tunnel of love.

Now with this taken care of it was time to head off to try and find this viewpoint, but Graham being Graham wanted to try and find the petting farm he remembered from years ago. “Yeah I remember they had one of those little Shire horses you can pat”. Confused I said “Shire Horse ?” . ” Oh no I mean a Shetland Pony” , well thees not much difference. After a little searching Graham called out ” ahh here it is pal through here “ . Oh no it wasn’t, it was the forecourt for the cafe, “ never mind pal , memory’s not what it used to be at your age “ . At least we found an old horse carriage that Graham said categorically was originally from Smithills Coaching house, when I quizzed him how he knew. he replied ” Well it looks like the one they had”.

We made our way around and found our way up to the viewing point. Sat at highest point of the park was a small dome structure named The Temple it was built in around 1800 for Sir Thomas Egerton. It was here we sat and had a well deserved rest. Graham asked me what the large city we saw in the distance “Manchester “ I replied confidently. Only to be corrected second later as Graham read the information board. It was in fact Oldham. We sat and chatted about what we had done the previous weekend. Graham said he’d had a relativity quiet one. He’d been out with Val and the family to the Pack Horse pub at Affetside ( visited in UP UP & UP TO AFFETSIDE ) On the other hand I had a very busy one. Friday evening Peggy Lou and myself had gone for a Indian and a beer or two with Big Mike from Chicago. On Saturday we went over to friends of ours Wing Commander Dave and his wife Camper Van Irene for a lovely meal at Cafe Italia and drinks afterwards. Then on the Sunday it was afternoon tea with my daughter and son-in-law.

Our intention was to ride round to the boating lake. However, we got distracted. As we rounded a bend, we saw a phenomenal site. It was a field full of huge dinosaurs. Yes, dinosaurs! They were only made of plastic but looked very intimidating. The gate was open so we decided to have a look around.

It was at this point. Graham came up with a childish idea. He pretended to be chased by one of them whilst I videoed him .. Camera ,action , its a wrap. I’m ready whenever you are Mr Spielberg.

We took a slightly different route along Bury Old Rd and turned off up North Circle then along a path that brought us to Whitefield Interchange. Here it was simple , go under the subway and out the other side, but we still managed to get that wrong. We were soon back in familiar territory on Philips Park Rd.

Earlier Graham had mentioned about it being up hill, now we were going to reap the benefits. A long if bumpy ride down hill led us down to the Outwood Trail. We followed it for a short while. Then, we dropped back down onto Red Rock Ln. Our adventure was nearly over. I asked Graham if we had time to call for a quick beer at the Horseshoe. Sadly, his reply was “ Sorry pal , No not really.” This was quickly followed by “ You’re not angry with me are you pal ? ” , how I could feel anything only admiration for someone who’s just been chased by a dinosaur.

Our return route took us through Ringley where next to the La Roma restaurant is a post box set into a wall, not your common or garden post box. Up Ringley Rd now until we turned right at the Grapes Pub.

Up through the estate and we come to a narrow path which leads up to the old pack horse bridge. One side is high thicket hedges on the other an electric fence . Part way down we spotted in the distance a group of people with dogs walking towards us. As extreme Bikers we pulled over near the electric fence to let them pass. After they had passed, Graham remarked “I’m not being horrible pal but all I thought of was the film The Hills Have Eyes “ , the group where definitely on something and did look a little unnerving but they passed by with a thank you. We went our own ways at the basin at Nob End after a small rest with the now obligatory Text when you’re home pal statement to one another.