Manchester Airport Orbital Cycleway

Sky Ride Local in Manchester

A ride with a difference, skirting the perimeter of Manchester Airport on eight miles of quiet lanes, cycle paths and off-road trails. From the gentle rolling cycleway, you'll be able to watch the arrivals and departures at one of the UK's busiest airports, while the airport's viewing park and the tourist hotspot of Quarry Bank Mill provide the stopping points of interest. Due to the mixed nature of the route's surfaces, road bikes with narrow tyres are not advised.

If you’re fairly confident on your bike and ready to broaden your cycling horizons, our Steady rides are ideal. At a comfortable pace, and possibly with some modest hills along the way, rides take place on mainly quiet roads with plenty of sights along the way. Rides are between 6 and 20 miles long, at a moderate pace of between 7 and 10 miles an hour.

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. 

Children under the age of 5 do not need to register and must be in a BSA approved child seat, trailer or tag-a-long.

Meet the Ride Leaders

• Paul Farrell A Sky Ride participant since 2009 and a Ride Leader since 2010, I enjoy cycling most weekends and sometimes during the week as well.
  
  Most of the time, I stick to my own slow(ish) steady pace, but I think it's good to challenge myself occasionally and try going that little bit further or faster.
  
  It always seems easier when I'm riding with a group, so you'll often see me on Sky Rides as a participant, when I'm not needed as a leader. I'm also a big fan of social rides and I've recently joined Withington Wheelers, a South Manchester cycling club that caters for people of all abilities.
  
  Hope to see you on a ride soon.
  
  Paul
• Matt Waggett Hi folks,
  
  I'm Matt.
  
  This is my first year as a Skyride Leader, so please be gentle...
  
  I hope to get out as much as possible, and am trying to squeeze in as many chances to meet you wonderful people on rides as I can, which can be difficult as I spend most of my time working. :(
  
  I am a front line Police Officer, and have been for 13 years now, but finally have got around to completing my Ride Leaders Qualification.
  
  You could probably describe me as a keen enthusiast, but don't worry..I am far from an athlete.....shift work has seen to that!
  
  I'm the type of guy that would go out of his way to make sure you have a great time on the ride, and please please do say hello and give me a wave, I don't bite! Better still, get booked on some rides and come out and play :)
  
  
  I would be more than happy to ride along with you if at all possible, and should you want to stay close, just give me or one of the other leaders a shout and we will look after you...promise
  
  See you soon :)
  
• Helen Hunt Hi, welcome to Breeze Skyride. This is my 2nd year as a Breeze champion and I'm looking forward to getting out on my bike and meeting new people and seeing new places. I am a keen cyclist, I have taken part in many Skyrides over the last 3 years and have completed several longer charity rides.
  Cycling is a great way to keep fit and burn calories, so dig that bike out of the shed and join in Sky Breeze for some leisurely rides.

Rider Comments on the Route

1. Jam Melrose Sunday 6th July
   Great ride, great leaders, felt very safe and well looked after on the road sections but able to ride freely on the off road bits
2. Carol Garner Sunday 6th July
   Fantastic ride as was Matt and the other two guides .
3. Adam Hextall Wednesday 28th May
   
4. Paul Farrell Tuesday 20th May