The Manifold Cycle track

Not one of our favourite rides, it has to be said straight-away, but if you get good conditions, or just fancy ambling along for a bit, or indeed have the kids along with you it can be good fun. It is a linear route, so just "there and back" with the only criteria being how far you want to go. It really depends on how busy it gets (and it can get very busy). Also be warned there are long(ish) narrow sections that you share with traffic, including the famous tunnel which is about 100 metres long at Swainsley Hall (the kids love it), and there can be lots of walkers, some with dogs which may or may not be on leads. Also the track surface in a couple of places is a bit "rippled", giving a bit of a shudder when you ride it (although this may be fixed now).

Having pointed out some problems, it is only fair to say that the scenery is magnificent along most of the trails length, especially the stretch from Hulme End to Thor's Cave (a short sharp(ish) walk up to it is rewarded with great views). And Wetton Mill is a great place for refreshments, and you can splash in the river here as well if the mood takes you. If the trail is quiet, it can be a very rewarding ride. From memory, it is about 16 miles from Hulme End to Waterhouses and back.

A note to the more adventurous and fitter cyclists. There are a number of side road going up off the main trail that are amongst the steepest in this area, compounded by the narrowness of the roads and the traffic that use them. In order, from Hulme End southwards, I have cycled the following:

1. At the first intersection with traffic, there is a steep pull up to the village of Warlsow on your right. I once had to "hill start" here because of traffic and it was definitely not easy.

2. The first road up to Butterton at the aforementioned tunnel at Swainsley.

3. The second road back up to Butterton at Wetton Mill.

4. At the "crossroads" at Weag's Bridge (Parking nearby) the road to Grindon- tough route.

5. From the same point as (4), the road up the other side to Wetton village. I once (never again) freewheeled down this road and would not like to admit how fast I was going by the time I got to the bottom - it was a stupid thing to do as there can be walkers crossing the road, traffic in both directions and if it is or has been windy, debris in the form of large branches (I swerved to miss one) littering the road surface. Don't do it.

Park up at the "Pay & Display" car park near the visitor centre at Hulme End, or if you need to hire bikes, there are a couple of places (Brown End Farm & Manifold Valley Cycle Hire) at the other end, in the village of Waterhouses, where there is also parking plus shops, pub etc.

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