Tameside (Manchester) Trails for a newbie.

Puggy73

Hey, first post after reading around for a few weeks.

Could anybody give me an idea of any trails to hone my skills as a complete beginner, I've been riding canals for a while and want to get stuck into some decent trails however I'm a bit stumped of where to necessarily head out to.

I live in Dukinfield and don't have a Bike Rack yet so traveling out is something I'd rather avoid right now, would be happy to have some company for some casual rides here and there too.

Any help is much appreciated.

Indigo Gorilla

If your willing to travel there are places accessible by train.

I'm based in Manchester (Trafford) and have been to Lee Quarry, Delamere and Edale by train. I also want to go to Llandegla by train as well, just a case of finding routes from the stations to the rides. More riding too I guess which has it's advantages/disadvantages.

I'm up for a ride sometime if you want to try somewhere by train.

mcnultycop

I don't have a bike rack, wheels off and in the back of the car. As above get up to Lee/Cragg or Llandegla as they aren't far. I'm in Oldham but haven't ridden anywhere around Tameside, but there is some OK stuff round here if you want to ride out a few km.

Puggy73

Thanks for the responses! Will have to check out these routes, problem with bike in car is I'm still in new car mode where I don't even want any food in there so bike in the back is no go for now, although I can get some plastic sheeting I guess. Going for a ride sounds good too.

Still some rides within riding distance would be handy without having to plan.

Indigo Gorilla

Well if you don't mind using the train (takes a bit longer but oh well) then Lee Quarry and Llandegla are doable by train. As is the Long Mynd in Church Stretton (Shropshire) for natural riding.

Proutster

Sod the trail centres, get out into the Peaks!!

Get yourself out to Glossop / Hayfield / Edale (as Indigo Gorilla mentions above) and enjoy some glorious countryside and great natural riding.

Looks like the Manchester Picaddilly to Sheffield line takes 35 mins from Bredbury to Edale or Hope - you can do the classic Ladybower loop from there.

elbo

If you are fed up of the flat tow paths and wanna try some hills then werneth low isn't too far from you. Not exactly the most challenging but at least has some gradient.
Even better if you can get over to the hills behind marple bridge, you are on the edge of the peaks there so there are links to hayfield and even over to edale. Probably too far to do from your doorstep though.

The moors to the east of stalybridge aren't bad, and if you can get over to tintwistle here is a map you can follow.

But like the others have already suggested, if you want to have more fun and improve your skills then you can't beat trail centres. The closest decent one being lee/cragg quarry, and would probably only take half hour by car from dukinfield, although not sure how easy it would be to get there by train. Maybe worth looking into?

Jimmy182

You still looking for places to ride puggy73 ?

Graham K

From Duki you can canal it upto Diggle then do the Diggle Jiggle, Uppermill quarry or jib over Hartshead Pike.
Ride over Mottram towards Glossop and loop round the Woodhead resevoirs, fairly tame but a decent leg workout.
I live in Oldham and within 30 mins drive I can park up and pedal the moors, just XC the land and see where I end up, its hard to give directions when its minimal marker posts and mass sheep shit

Muttly1981

There is a new red loop at Phillips Park in Prestwich built by http://imba.org.uk/, check out http://www.ncagb.co.uk/ they are based at the Park and run skills courses every now and again. I ride with the team riders nearly every weekend and can vouch for their skills when it comes to riding bikes