Why meridian you may ask; well it was one of our middle of the day rides and of course the middle of the day is noon. We also rode to the highest point of Moses Gate Country Park; in other words we attained its zenith!
The route was the result of the combining of two of our Saturday family friendly runs to form a larger heart shaped loop. Moses Gate Country Park being the start point, and the lowest in altitude, but having said that the route did not climb that much higher; in fact the highest point of the ride was at an altitude of only 94 metres, just 40 metres above the park; and of course this being the middle of winter I was looking for a route that would be rideable despite any weather extremes.
Leaving the park promptly at 10-30am in sunshine we attained the dizzying 94 metre altitude within the first mile at Leverhulme Park after we had ridden through the nature reserve of the Darcy Lever gravel quarries. From here our route to the elevenses stop at the Bradley Fold Garden Centre was along the route of the now dis-used Bolton to Bury Railway, with a couple of diversions where the track bed has been built over.Upon leaving the garden centre we tried to re-join the railway route, alas our access was closed due to contractors works; no problem I thought, a swift u-turn and off to the next access point, again it was closed. Presumably the works along the railway route were part of its extension towards Bury. We now had to divert along streets and avenues to the village of Black Lane. Here we used the gravelled track to Doffer Fold and wove around the banks of Elton Reservoir before joining NCN6 on the towpath of the Bolton Bury Canal. Staying on the towpath until we reached Radcliffe near Scotson Fold Farm we turned south to descend to MacDonald’s for lunch. Whilst dining it had started to cloud up outside and there was a short, but heavy rain shower.
There was a little controversy inside when Judith ordered a “Happy Meal”, all was well until she realised that she had not received her free balloon. After a tactful, tongue in cheek complaint, Judith was the recipient of a lovely yellow balloon. This was soon attached to her handlebars as we prepared to leave, and it appeared the rain shower was coming to an end too; happy days!
Following our repast we re-joined NCN6 to Outwood, first passing over the swollen River Irwell after the brief climb to its bridge and the level of the old railway to Clifton Junction. A number of trails have been constructed at Outwood, but these did not form part of our route today, maybe next time.Nearing the cycle/pedestrian bridge over the M60 just before Prestwich Forest Park we took the muddy bridleway that would eventually lead us to Ringley; here we climbed Ringley Old Brow, the steepest ascent on the ride, and joined Prestolee Road, the track down to the Manchester-Bolton Canal. At the canal we turned north towards the Nob End Nature Reserve and Clammerclough.Now on bridleways we climbed to the highest point of Moses Gate Country Park, before descending past Rock Hall, once an information centre and countryside ranger office, back to the start.
We had enjoyed a splendid day of banter, good company and for winter, good weather. See you all soon, Brian.
