Bike commute from Poynton to Salford Quays

Sergeant Rock

Hi All

Recently moved to a new office in Salford Quays. I used to work in Brichwood near Warrington and often used to ride out that way through Heald Green, Altringham, Warburton etc. Not bad roads particularly once through the edge of Wythenshaw. However, now working in Salford Quays and obviously much busier roads.

So can anyone suggest a quiet route that makes sense as a commute? I tried Cycle Streets but that wants to take me via Hazel Grove and he edge of Stockport which I don't fancy.

Any suggestions would be very welcome.

Dellsinho

I'd suggest heading out of Poynton west to Woodford Aerodrome, A5149 through the Cheadles, Manchester Rd under the M60 up to Parrs Wood, Wilmslow Rd through East Didders, and then left onto Barlow Moor Rd through Chorlton and stay on that road until you hit the Quays? Google says 14.7miles.

I'd rather walk than cycle up the A6 through HG and Stocky...!

CJ Bill

If I were making this one I'd be tempted to continue to head to Altrincham then go for the Bridgewater canal via Thorley Lane/ Park Road. The canal will take you a good way into Manchester before you have to deal with serious traffic. Hell, if you want you could even cut through from Northendon, cross the Mersey at Chorlton Water Park and follow the river (off road) until you get to canal, which would probably be more traffic free. Or just zig zag up from Chorlton to Salford.
Not the most direct routes but if you're doing Poynton to Birchwood (used to work there myself BTW, great commute) that won't be an issue.

Otherwise it's just a matter of finding routes through Stockport: I used to have some OK a good few years back when I lived in Victoria Park and commuted to Romiley.

Now I've helped you Sgt Rock, how do I make the girl of mine keep her stood in line, wave the victory sign...

Sergeant Rock

Thanks for the advice so far I will take a look at both options. The off road stuff should not be a problem. I used to ride part of the trans Pennine way to Birchwood and a couple of other tracks. Also I am using Conti GatorHardshells tyres so should take a bit of rough stuff.

CJ Bill - I' afraid my homage to XTC has in no way helped me beyond getting the girl. Keeping her in line and waving the victory sign... I know my place.

straas

Poynton - Cheadle - Gatley - Northendon - Didsbury - Chorlton

when in chorlton, carry on up barlow moor road (past the four banks intersection) and send a left by the swimming baths up kensington road, go across the roundabout, then swing a right onto Talbot road, followed by the first left onto warwick - you can then utilise the lights to cross chester road, and follow along sir matt busby way whilst taking in the sights. Follow this road until the water, where you'll need a right - then follow this onto the bridge.

The location of these offices is quite unfortunate with that monstrosity of a traffic system right next to it. It's not really enjoyable in a car, nevermind by bike.

asprilla

My boss's route:

http://app.strava.com/activities/59523297

Sergeant Rock

Hi

Well I've tried a few options and I think I have a route now.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/330249905

Seems pretty good. The section to and from the Bridgewater canal is about as good as it can get I think. Did the ride last night and the canal was the most dodgy bit. Runners, dogs, rowers (with coaches) drunks etc. Being on the road seemed simple in comparison. Have to come off the canal approaching Trafford due to towpath being closed.

Tried a couple of alternative routes at the weekend. One up through Northenden to get on to the Canal at Dane Road, which was OK but I think the roads I road last night were better. Came back via Chorlton, East Didsbury, Parr's Wood as suggested by Asprilla's boss. Noty for me stop go all the time in traffic lights and too much traffic.

If anyone has any tweaks to improve my route please let me know.

CJ Bill

Half the fun is tweaking the route as time goes by
I'll have a look at lunch, see if I've got any helpful suggestions.

Kieran_Burns

Not relevant to the conversation but I remember commuting in to the city centre for 2 days (training course) and being beaten back to Stockport both days by cyclists while I was sat fuming in the fumes in my car.

This was going straight down the A6 and it took longer to clear Stockport than it did to get home to Kegworth afterwards

Origamist

You need to cut out more of the canal path at the beginning!

Go Thorley Lane, right onto Shaftesbury Av, left on the roundabout and up Brooklands Road, straight over onto Hope Road, right onto Broad Road, left onto Winstanley Road, left onto Dane Road and join the canal just over the bridge, past the Dane Road MetroLink stop. I find the canal section from there to Salford Quays, much better and pretty quick.

I come in from Wilmslow, via Mobberley to Salford Quays. Approx: 20 miles

CJ Bill

Origamist wrote:

I come in from Wilmslow, via Mobberley to Salford Quays. Approx: 20 miles

I do Chorlton to Wilmslow, via, well, depends on the time of year, but generally via Mobberley. Hippy looking chap, Foska Marmite Top or Bones generally. Give us a wave if paths cross.

As to the route, I'm not a massive fan of Clay Lane, always found it a bit too much fast traffic for small-ish country lanes.
Here's a bit from route I used to take on the way back when I was going out with a lass in Sale: after Heald Green hook a right onto Styal Road, follow it down past the junction with Northendon Road, until it becomes Longley Lane and crosses the motorway. Carry on past the recycling center until you hit Palatine Road. You've got a busy section to get past Princess parkway after which you bear right up Sale road and head towards Sale itself and pick up the canal either at Sale or Dane road. Has the advantage of cutting out Wythenshawe which when it starts getting dark really is to be avoided.

Origamist

Do you have long hair? If so, I think i see you often - including this morning. I'm the disarmingly handsome, tanned, bald chap on the black touring bike (guards and rack) that often passes you going in the opposite direction I wave at everybody!

CJ Bill

I try to wave at all, or at least nod or raise my fingers from the handle bars. Anyways, yep, long hair, that's probably me! I shall keep an eye out and greet more effusively next time, although I'm away off own to Glastonbury for the next week or two.

Origamist

CJ Bill wrote:

I try to wave at all, or at least nod or raise my fingers from the handle bars. Anyways, yep, long hair, that's probably me! I shall keep an eye out and greet more effusively next time, although I'm away off own to Glastonbury for the next week or two.

If you were wearing the Marmite top this am and going along Small Lane, nr Mobberley train station at approx 8.10 then we did pass earlier today...

Have a good time in Glastonbury!

Sergeant Rock

Hi Origamist, thanks for the advice. What about passing over Shaftesbury Avenue continuing on Thorley Lane and the turning right on to Altringham Road? Comes out at the same roundabout on Brooklands Road.

Sergeant Rock

Should say may thinking on going via Altingham Road is to cut out Shaftesbury Avenue which looks like a busy road.

PBo

Just make sure that whatever route you decide on, for safeties sake, keep I,2,3,4,5 senses working overtime....