First Outing 2013
16th May 2013
Journey Length 7.2ml
Click here for route
The first ride out of the year saw us head towards Bolton from Nob End, where here we looked for the swan that had been nesting with its partner but unfortunately one of the swans had been killed by a dog which wasn’t on a lead, but sadly there was no sign of the swan and the nest looked to be no longer in use.
Travelling along the canal we decided we would head to Darcy Lever and into Leverhulme Park, as we cycled along we came upon a lone swan but on closer inspection we saw that it had 2 cygnets with it and was obviously the swan from the nest, it was very pleasing to see this and hopefully we will be able to follow their progress. We continued until the end of the canal at Hall Lane here we descended the steep hill down to level of the road. Once across the road we followed the river Croal before climbing the hill back to the canal which is now all filled in.
The end of the canal brought us out at Radcliffe Rd, here we turned right and followed it up to long Lane before we turned into Leverhulme Park. We followed the path through the park which led us down to the river. Leaving the river we went up a slight hill and up to St Stephen and All Martyrs church where explored the grave yard and church grounds. We then turned left down the hill along Radcliffe Rd which took us back to the point where we left the canal. Retracing the route we came we now headed back but took a detour around Moses Gate Country Park and a look at Rock Hall which was built in 1807 for the Crompton family who owned the local paper mill.
At this point the weather took a turn for the worst as forecast with thunder hail and lightening so at this point we returned back up the hill and home, but the highlight of the ride was coming across the swan with the cygnets.
