The Saddo route to Tintwhistle - “Tins” to those in the know - is one of my favourites and since we had a bumper turnout of nineteen members it must be an favourite for many!
The day starts deceptively easily bowling down the canal, past Mossley, through or over Scout Tunnel until we turn off along Spring Bank Lane and then through Staybridge Country Park. The next part of the route takes us through a housing estate, which when we first started doing the route was nothing more than a few footings, and up onto the edge of Hollingworth Moor along a bridleway which is always full of water and never quite rideable all the way! The track skirts the housing on Mottram Ride and we had a sort of impasse as we came across two horse riders with nowhere to pass or turn round. Eventually good will and some excellent horsewomanship saved the day and we rode on though puddles and nettles to Roe Cross.
Here we took an unexpected turning - I’d always wanted to know what lay along Rabbit Lane - and by accident we found out. A lovely descent past some incredible gardens to the back of Mottram Hall and then a very “nettly" and narrow bridleway down to Hollingworth where a bit of pushing along footpaths, wending the wrong way along a one way street meant we kept off the busy main Woodhead Road. With our destination in our sights there just remained the little pull up past Crossgates Farm to Anfield Lane before we descended rapidly and hungrily to the Bull’s Head for Lunch. The landlord and landlady had kindly opened up specially for us and we happily devoured soup, sandwiches and a range of local ales.
The afternoon looks easy enough, just a couple of miles along the Pennine Bridleway! Indeed after a little climb out of the village along Anfield Lane we were soon descending at speed to the little hamlet of Anfield itself where began the long push up! However the push is rewarded with a splendid hairpin descent to a ford which most of us eschewed in favour of the bridge but well done Alan for getting his socks wet for the picture! Another push and then Swineshaw reservoir comes into sight and a lovely run down the valley.
The ride could simply go back to the canal at this stage but as everyone seemed up for the challenge, even Elaine on her first outing with us, we continued on the Pennine Bridleway contouring (and we all know what that means!) above the Tame Valley, up to Higher Hyde Green with brilliant views of Manchester and beyond, before plummeting down the difficult semi-paved track to Carrbrook.
Thereafter it was just a matter of re-tracing our steps along the canal. Surprising how tiring it can be going up locks but eventually we all made it back to the Lime Kiln except for Tony and Dave who had left us at lunchtime. Nineteen out and seventeen back - possibly a record for a Saddo!
Thanks all for great company.
Mick's photos can be viewed on Flickr here: