Classic Manc

The two longer rides head out on a flat, mainly downhill route, past Heaton Park, towards Salford and right through the iconic Salford Quays where you will pass Media City, Lowry Theatre, Imperial War Museum and Old Trafford.

Then, staying on the flat across South Manchester, you will enjoy sweeping swiftly through the leafy suburbs of Cheadle Hulme and Woodford to our first feed station in Poynton, courtesy of and with thanks to the good people of Poynton.

Shortly after the Classic splits from the Mad Manc and heads towards Middlewood and Norbury Junction where we rejoin the Mad at Marple Bridge. Then onwards to our old friend, a closed road KoM/QoM section up the short, but very steep Werneth low climb, affording you a sensational view of Manchester and a panorama of the hills to the Northeast and North – enjoy that view!

Here our second feed station awaits courtesy of the wonderful Chef and Brewer Hare and Hounds Inn – who kindly let us use their facilities. On another day you’d stop here and enjoy a beer and their great food, but not today.

After a quick “light” refreshment stop, you’ll head through Tameside and several climbs around Saddleworth, passing through Uppermill hills before a long steady climb to the third feed station at the fine and stately Saddleworth Hotel. Here you can enjoy great food (including scones) and coffee whilst taking in another great view.

On departing the Saddleworth Hotel grounds, you’ll come to the new section of the route. Instead of Rochdale Town Centre we head north to the hills beyond Rochdale towards Bacup and Rawtenstall. If you haven’t encountered the bleak beauty of these moors before, take a moment to look around. It’ll be a nice breather on the testing climbs that way. After Bacup we swing west and down into Rawtenstall for our new feed station at Marl Pitts Leisure Centre. Shout out a thanks here to the Volunteers and our kind and enthusiastic hosts, Rossendale Borough Council.

Onwards then towards Haslingden and Holcomb before heading home through Ramsbottom, Edenfield and Ashworth Valley.