Moravian Settlement and Manchester Velopark

Stockport Community Cycling Club is a friendly leisure cycling club based in Stockport, Cheshire.

The ride is predominantly off road, on national and local cycle network routes. The destination is Manchester Velopark, the national home of British Cycling, with a stop at Fairfield Moravian Settlement en route. The ride starts outside the vast Houldsworth Mill in South Reddish, SK5 6DA. The mill, which  produced cotton between 1865 and the 1950s, is now used for business, arts, leisure and social housing.

The route uses NCN route 6 to join the Manchester Cycleway, past The Manchester Donkey Sanctuary to Fairfield where it joins the Ashton Canal. Then there is a slight detour to see the Fairfield Moravian Church and surrounding village. The settlement was founded in 1785 as a centre for the Church's evangelistic work and has the feel of being locked in time, though it remains a living community. Rejoin the canal and head to the Manchester Velopark to look at The National Cycling Centre and for refreshments.

The return route retraces along the canal for a short distance to the disused Stockport Branch Canal which now forms part of NCN60 back to the Manchester Cycleway. Some of the old canal banks and bridges can still be seen. The route heads back to along the Cycleway towards Reddish, with a diversion through North Reddish Park before returning to Houldsworth Mill. This ride is a regular in the Stockport Community Cycling Club calendar. 

The route is mainly off road on cycle tracks and canal towpaths. Riders have to negotiate a few minor roads and slightly busier roads in order to access the Manchester Cycleway. The route is essentially flat and well surfaced so suitable for all types of bikes. While most barriers have been removed, a few remain that are more difficult to pass with non-standard bikes. 

Take a few minutes to appreciate the tranquility of the Moravian Settlement. Watch out for the geese along the canal and for debris and broken glass on the disused Stockport Branch Canal section of NCN60. You may be able to see training sessions in the Velodrome or BMX Arena when you visit the National Cycling Centre. Mountain bike trails are also available in the adjacent Clayton Vale.