Welcome to Enjoy Cycling
Enjoy Cycling is a website created by me and for my love of cycling in this great country. My love of cycling stems back to when I had my first Raleigh bike when I was a child, little did I know that was the first in a long line of cycles I was to own over my lifetime. Back then I used to Enjoy Cycling around the Northumberland countryside through fields and rolling hills without having to dodge traffic like my current routes involve. The carefree cycling in Northumberland is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of my morning commute cycling in Manchester.
Throughout the years I have owned many cycles and each one has seen me cover hundreds if not thousands of miles perched on my iron horse peddling away. Looking back at my childhood my favourite bike must have been the Raleigh Striker, this tough bike had a hammering I like every child would fall off, throw it on the ground and generally ride it to within an inch of its life. From my Raleigh Striker I have owned cycles such as a Raleigh Mustang another tough and durable bike, a Falcon Raphier which was my introduction to road bikes. In my later years I enjoy cycling on my second Specialized Rockhopper as the Rockhopper for me is the bike of all bikes, so comfortable to ride and hard wearing. Take a look at my Specialized Rockhopper 2012 Review to find out my thoughts on this iconic bike.
This cycling blog is all my own thoughts about how I enjoy cycling and how I want to spread the word about this great sport. If you have any news or articles you would like to submit to the site let me know by using the contact form on the site. I will consider all contributions to the site and lobe to hear about how you Enjoy Cycling.
Has any other cyclists spotted the dangerous drains on Wilmslow Road near the junction of Mauldeth Road in Manchester. The usual drain cover has gaps that run at an angle from side to side but these dangerous drains have gaps that run parallel to the road.
Wilmslow Road as we know is a very busy commuter route and many cyclists ride road and hybrid bikes that have thin tyres. I have tested out my fears and a road bike wheel can get lodged in the drain causing a cyclist to fall off on a very busy main road.
I have witnessed on a couple of occasions cyclists being caught out by these drains because they appear without warning not long after the end of a cycle lane. Luckily both incidents did not result in a dismount but they should be a warning to other cyclists.
There is allot of talk about the investment that is going to be ploughed in to cycling facilities and routes in Manchester which I am very excited about but they also need to look at the simple things. Simple things such as drain covers could make a world of difference to cyclists on Wilmslow Road.
Removing dangers such as this will be another tick in the box on the way to making Manchester a cycle friendly city. Dangerous drains are not the only hazard to cycling on Wilmslow Road, these combined with the very poor road surface that is littered with potholes and poor repairs make it a challenge to ride. The photo shows that the dangerous drains do not pose a risk to mountain bike riders only those with thin wheels.
Dangerous Drains on Wilmslow Road could easily dismount a cyclist on a road bike
While out for a ride from South Manchester in to Cheshire I stumbled upon Blaze Hill near Bollington. I had decided to head south and pick up the Cheshire Cycleway then complete a circuit of Macclesfield and then home.
Not knowing this area I was not familiar with the route but I have heard of Blaze Hill and now I have conquered it. The hill starts on the edge of Bollington and heads up towards the B5470. It is not for the faint hearted and it is an ideal hill to test both your endurance and your hill climbing skills.
I found it hard going but rewarding when I finally reached the top although the heavens did open half way up the climb which made it a rather wet and miserable ride. Another thing that put a dampener on the climb was a slight mix up with my clipless pedals, Blaze hill is steep and I lost momentum only to find myself in a heap, thankfully only my pride was hurt.
After Blaze Hill I continued my climb up in to the East Cheshire hills on Pike Road which again tested my hill climbing ability. Despite the rain and steep climb the views at the top are spectacular and well worth the push upwards
Blaze Hill is on the Eastern part of the Cheshire Cycleway which is route number 70. The Cheshire cycleway is a cycle route that takes in most of Cheshire on country roads. This signposted route stretches almost 176 miles and offers a varied mix of terrain.
I would recommend a ride to Blaze Hill to test your hill climbing ability and maybe to pit your wits against your cycling chums in a race to the top.
Why not let Enjoy Cycling know how your ride up Blaze Hill goes and remember what goes up must come down so enjoy the downhill you have earn it.
Over 100 cyclists took to the streets for a Manchester Cycle Flash Mob on Saturday the 4th of May.
The flash mob was organised by the Coffee Cranks Cooperative to raise awareness of Manchester Councils Oxford Road consultation that is taking place.
The flash mob was attended by a swarm of cyclists of all ages that took over the busy Oxford Road close to Manchester University. Cycles were held aloft blocking the road in which was a tremendous show of support for safer cycling in Manchester and along the busy and often dangerous Oxford Road corridor.
Oxfords Road is one of the busiest public transport routes in Europe with very high traffic and bus flows and this combined with cyclists is often a dangerous mix. The proposals being put forward include a cycle/bus only section between Grosvenor Street and Hathersage Road. This will incorporate a segregated cycle lane on the road. For more information on the consultation see the TFGM website.
