Special Winter Challenge Ride - Follow the Old Brick Road

Sky Ride Local in Manchester

As part of our winter riding programme we have scheduled a number of guided rides near you which are all about getting the best out of winter riding.  This route is perfect for getting out on the bike and warming up on a fresh winters morning!  Everybody who books on and attends the ride will receive a FREE Great Britain Cycling Team water bottle.

You don’t have to be the next Bradley Wiggins, but you’ll need to know your way around a bike and be fairly fit to take part in our Challenging rides. If you’re comfortable riding with other people and fancy a fresh challenge, these rides are perfect for you. They start at around twenty miles long, and are paced at between 11 and 12 miles an hour.

Starting in the great little town of Poynton we explore the amazing countryside and towns around the Peak District.  You may never win the 'King of the Mountains' jersey, but if you can do this ride you'll at least feel that you might have been a contender as it's a wonderful (but tough) ride over one of the Peak District's iconic climbs.  Prepare for a real sense of achievement once you are at the top, and we're sure you'll agree it's well worth the effort for the views.  After a few more climbs (thrown in for good measure) on the return journey, you'll be ready for a cup of tea and slice of cake back in Poynton. Please be aware that this ride is not for the faint of heart!

Additional Information

Helmets must be worn by all under 18's regardless of ride level.
Please make sure your bike is in good working order and bring equipment with you to repair punctures, Ride Leaders are there to help but are not responsible for your bike.
All rides leave at the time stated you must arrive early Ride Leaders will not wait. 

Meet the Ride Leaders

• Peter Falcon I have started cycling again after a few years off and saw the opportunity of being a Ride Leader as a way of ensuring I get out on my bike as well as hopefully getting more people out on their bikes. It's also a great way to get fit and lose a few pounds!
  
  I regularly cycle with friends on eveings after work or at weekends as well as to work and home (depending on the great British waether).
  
  A group of us (18 in total) completed the Coast to Coast bikde ride (or C2C) - over 3 days - riding from Whitehaven to Sunderland in June of 2012. It was a fantastic experience and in doing this we raised over £6000 for a local charity.
  
  This year has been focussing on longer 1 day rides, including the Ride Manchester event at the end of June and the Ride with Brad CycloSportive in August.
  
  I look forward to meeting you on one of the Sky Rides.
• Laurence Moore I've been pretty much a lone cyclist all my adult life and enjoyed the solitude and time for reflection that it's brought. But last year, with no great enthusiasm on my part, our daughter persuaded me to participate in a couple of Skyride events and I enjoyed them that much that I applied for and became a ride leader last December. The events brought home something that I guess I've known for a long time, and that's that if there were enough cyclists around every corner of every road then drivers would have to start noticing us and the roads would be far safer for all. So I see the rides as helping to promote and encourage (and perhaps help with the confidence that's needed for) the greater use of bikes. Bring on the revolution. Please supply your own puncture repair kit and pump though.
• David Gara Always loved cycling. Got back into it a few years ago after hiring a mountain bike on holiday. Now all the family is hooked - my eldest is also a Skyride leader!
  I also help out at my youngest's primary school as a Bikeability instructor
  .
  Looking forward to some good rides this summer so feel free to book a place.
  
• Anthony Palmer
• John Taylor Hi,
  
  I'm John 33 years old! Laid back and love to ride, This is 2nd season as a Sky ride leader. I have always been into bikes and been a mountain biker since I could ride. Quite recently the road riding bug has bit me and I just like to get out as much as I can.
  
  if you wanna know anything else please feel free to ask