A Tale of Two Trails

Sky Ride Local in Manchester

If you’re fairly confident on your bike on dirt and gravel surfaces and ready to broaden your cycling horizons, our Off-Road Steady rides are ideal. At a comfortable pace, and possibly with some modest hills along the way, there is barely a metre of tarmac in sight on these rides so come and enjoy the scrunch of gravel and the squelch of mud under your tyres with us! Rides are between 6 and 15 miles long, at a moderate pace of between 7 and 10 miles an hour.

A circular 15.5 mile route taking in the Trans Pennine Trail and Fallowfield Loop Line. The Trans Pennine Trail stretches across the country from Southport in the west to Hornsea in the east, and is a superb network of traffic-free paths and quiet roads. The Fallowfield Loop Line is a converted railway path in the south Manchester suburbs, acting like a ring road for urban cyclists. Discover two great routes in the heart of the city. Sections of the route are on compacted dirt and shale paths, which can get muddy in wet weather. Therefore road bikes are not recommended. Please note it is essential that anybody arriving by car parks at the lower car park.

Additional Information

Helmets must be worn by all under 18's regardless of ride level.
The minimum age for these rides is 11, there must be no child trailers or child seats, the child capable of riding within the demands of the off-road specification.
Please bring equipment with you to repair punctures.
Ride Leaders are there to help but are not responsible for your bike.
All rides leave at the time stated you must arrive early Ride Leaders will not wait.

Meet the Ride Leaders

• Ian Gent Hi, I'm Ian, I've been a keen cyclist and mountain bike rider for many years. This is my 3rd year as Sky Ride Leader. I've got a good knowledge of the local ride routes. I'm equally happy doing road or trail rides that can be 5 or 50 miles, so can help you to enjoy your Sky ride whatever your level of cycling. Sky riding is about having fun on your bike in a safe environment - so book on to a ride and have a very enjoyable day out
• Laurence Moore I've been pretty much a lone cyclist all my adult life and enjoyed the solitude and time for reflection that it's brought. But last year, with no great enthusiasm on my part, our daughter persuaded me to participate in a couple of Skyride events and I enjoyed them that much that I applied for and became a ride leader last December. The events brought home something that I guess I've known for a long time, and that's that if there were enough cyclists around every corner of every road then drivers would have to start noticing us and the roads would be far safer for all. So I see the rides as helping to promote and encourage (and perhaps help with the confidence that's needed for) the greater use of bikes. Bring on the revolution. Please supply your own puncture repair kit and pump though.
• Michael Bower My love affair with the bicycle started at around the age of eight when I bought my first 2-wheeler from a friend for threepence, however it probably cost my father at least a week’s wages for new components to get it working safely.
  
  During my late teens other issues took over such as work, cars etc. which led to the other things, such as a wife, home and kids.
  
  In my early thirties and with encouragement from my wife to lose a few pounds (stones) my interest towards the bike was rekindled. I began by just doing a few miles locally and eventually took to riding with a club, as I had done in my youth. The wonderful memories of those early years came flooding back.
  
  Riding amongst the thousands of other happy bike riders in the initial Manchester Skyride with my then nine year old granddaughter led to my participation in the Skyride Local events which for me opened up a whole new avenue of extremely enjoyable safely controlled social cycling and the start of many new greatly valued friendships.
  
  Becoming a Skyride Leader has given me the opportunity to welcome and encourage others into the participation and pleasure of safe group cycling, be it a family tootle around the park or a 20 miler through country lanes. It's all great. Please enjoy!