April 29, 2010 Hereford - Bishopstone - Madley - Hereford

Total Distance = 18.29 Miles

Time = 1 hr 11m 58s

Max Speed = 25.7mph

Total Ascent = 810 ft

Average Speed = 14.9 mph

Route out :

From my hotel, the Premier Inn at the Starting gate out along the Roman Road to Stretton Sugwas, left at Credenhill and along past Bishopstone to Bridge Soller.

Route In :

Across the river to lulham and up the hill to Madley passing lots of hop fields on the way.Then a fast ride along the B4352 through Clehonger and into Belmont and apst Tesco's to the Three Counties - from there its straight down the old railway line which is now a cycle track across the Wye to Plough Lane and a turn past Edgar Street and the Retail Park on Holmer road back to the Hotel.   

Map : 

Beer :

Well all I managed was a pint of Fosters in the local Wetherspoons which was clean refreshing and had a good vanilla on it. Annoyed having registered that I could not then get online in Wetherspoons (waste of 30 minutes) followed no doubt by lots of spam !!

View from Stretton Mugwas

On the road to Bishopstone

Downhill towards the River

A glimpse of the bridge at Bridge Soller

Crossing the Wye

A cottage just across the river

An Old Hop field

A New Hop field

More Hop fields

Near Madley

The old Railway - now a cycle path

View of the Wye crossing on the Cycle track

Looking into town from the cycle path bridge

April 30, 2010 Salford Quays - Eastlands Loop

Total Distance = 19.38 miles
Time = 1h 34m 07s
Total Ascent = 462 ft
Average Speed = 12.4 mph




Route Out : 
From my Hotel - the Copthorne on Clippers Quay along the North Bank of the Manchester Ship Canal and Eccles new Road down to the Centenary Bridge - then it's across the river and back along Trafford Park on the south side of the canal. It's frustrating how little of the south bank is accessible and you cannot get down to the canal till the War Museum virtually at the Lowry Centre. From there I followed the south bank of the canal over a desolate waste ground that is Pomora Strand eventually giving up on finding what was Hulme Hall Road I upped onto Chester Road at Cornbrook Station. Then it was into the City crossing Chorlton Road, Princess Road & Oxford Road before heading up Upper Brook Street into the City.Along fairfield Street and onto Ashton old Road then a quick nip across to Eastlands Stadium.

Route In :
Back down onto Ashton Old Road and through Ardwick to the University. Around Whitworth Park onto Moss Lane East and straight through Moss side down Ayres Road and Sycamore Grove and back across Trafford Park Bridge to the Copthorne.

Route Map :

Beer Review :
Well I only managed to drink some Becks Vier in the Hotel which was clean and refreshing but with little hint of DMS on it (Oh for a becks Funf !!)

Pictures :

Metrolink Station at  Salford Quays

Offfice Block on the Quays

Ship on the Quay

Old Trafford from across the Canal

The Millenium Bridge

The Lowry Centre

The Centenary Bridge Approach road

The Centenary Bridge

Phantom Cargo on the Quayside

Sports Statue

Warehouses at Trafford Park

The Beetham Tower from St Georges Park

Eastlands Stadium

University looking to Whitworth Park