Medlock Valley Discovery Ride to the Velodrome

Ride details Basic Information Event Name Medlock Valley Discovery Ride Ride Level Ride Well Start Date24 february 2013 10 30 AM CityManchester Route NameMedlock Valley Discovery Ride DescriptionWhen you’re ready to broaden your cycling horizons and take on a bit more of a challenge, Ride Well is perfect. You’ll need to be happy to push yourself a little bit, maybe even taking on a couple of modest hills, but at a pace you'll be comfortable with. These rides are designed to give you a rich cycling experience on mainly quiet roads with plenty of places of interest along the way. This ride does exactly what is says, discovery of the Medlock Valley, we dip into the valley at Park Bridge, Daisy Nook and Clayton Vale. Starting at the Heritage Centre in Park Bridge which was an early industrial settlement based on an iron rolling mill of which there is still much evidence. We will make our way to Daisy Nook, during the Victorian period, Daisy Nook was a destination for afternoons out. Families would picnic by the river, walk by the canal, walk along Crime Lake and visit one of the refreshment facilities and that is still the case today. We then make our way to Clayton Vale, once a land fill site but over three decades nature has taken over and made the area into a beautiful haven for wildlife, which was designated a Local Nature Reserve in July 2006. From here we will head to the Velodrome. then back giving you another chance to ride through Daisy Nook. Distance (miles)13.70 Type (traffic free etc)Roads DesignCircular Average SpeedBrisk (9-10 mph) Estimated Cycling Duration (mins)90 Estimate Duration Total (mins)130 Age restriction11+ (children 11-15 with adult) Route Details Download route mapKML GPX View Map Download route card (PDF file)Download Bike SuitabilityAll bike types Suitable for child trailersNo Sights of interestThe three areas of Park Bridge, Daisy Nook and Clayton Vale are all worthy of a return visit individually. Each has a website giving more details. Stopping pointsThe most logical stopping point is Clayton Vale, however the visitors centre is often closed, but about 1 mile further on the ride we pass some shops were food/drink is available. We pass through Daisy Nook twice it has a visitors centre but it is too close to the start of the ride and then as we return too close to the end to be useful. The Heritage Centre were we finish is normally open. . Start/Finish Point Information NameMedlock Valley Discovery Ride Changing Facilities AvailableNo Changing Facilities Location Toilets AvailableYes Toilets LocationUse the toilets in the heritage Centre Car Parking AvailableYes Car Parking Locationstart point opposite Heritage Centre Nearest Train StationAshton Under Lyne, 2.6 miles