Most Unpleasant Ride Ever

[rareposter]

I mentioned that ride along the A6 (last 2 lines of that post) earlier in this thread, but here's another reason that contributed to it being a horrible ride, laugh along if you must, I laugh at this now but certainly not at the time.

Just before you get to the roundabout at the Whaley Bridge end, there's a very sharp left turn (almost doubling back on yourself) onto a minor road, that's the route you should have gone.

There are two options then - along the canal towpath then the old tramway route or just along the back road through Chinley. Both are fine and bring you out in Chapel-en-le-Frith. I assume you then went up Rushup Edge to get to the top of Winnats Pass...?

There are occasional time trial races held along that bypass road and even with marshals, cones and warning signage, it looks pretty horrific!

[Manc33]

Just before you get to the roundabout at the Whaley Bridge end, there's a very sharp left turn (almost doubling back on yourself) onto a minor road, that's the route you should have gone.

There are two options then - along the canal towpath then the old tramway route or just along the back road through Chinley. Both are fine and bring you out in Chapel-en-le-Frith. I assume you then went up Rushup Edge to get to the top of Winnats Pass...?

I didn't go along Rushup Edge but a road to the South of that leading from the A623.

The way I went:
Along the A6 out of Stockport, then left at a roundabout onto the A623. I followed that until I got to the Olive Tree pub and went left there, although because the A623 bends right sharply there, it's more like going straight on than left. This road seems to have no name on Google Maps, the only thing along it is "Just Dogs". Following that leads to the top of Winnats Pass forking off to the right.

The way I'd go next time:
This avoids the fast part of the A6 and the distance isn't much further, maybe 1 or 2 miles: Along the A6, past Lyme Hall then Disley train station, keep going keep going, to a roundabout where the A6 becomes almost a motorway and go right there onto the A5004. Left onto the B5470 (Manchester Road). Keep going and that leads to the road you mentioned (Rushup Edge). All the way to the end, right, left = top of Winnats Pass.

If I ever do the ride again, it's about 40 miles and I'm way more focused on my indoor trainer. Perhaps in summer if we have one.

[Cowsham]

I mentioned that ride along the A6 (last 2 lines of that post) earlier in this thread, but here's another reason that contributed to it being a horrible ride, laugh along if you must, I laugh at this now but certainly not at the time. From that same ride:

Mental!

[rareposter]

The way I went:
Along the A6 out of Stockport, then left at a roundabout onto the A623. I followed that until I got to the Olive Tree pub and went left there, although because the A623 bends right sharply there, it's more like going straight on than left. This road seems to have no name on Google Maps, the only thing along it is "Just Dogs". Following that leads to the top of Winnats Pass forking off to the right.

That is indeed a terrible route, not only the "motorway" part of the A6 but also the climb up the A623 from the Dove Holes roundabout. I'll very occasionally do the A623 as a descent from that junction but even then it's pretty terrible; the quieter route assuming you want to head to Chapel is to go up and over from Sparrowpit although it's a hefty climb/descent.

The way I'd go next time:
This avoids the fast part of the A6 and the distance isn't much further, maybe 1 or 2 miles: Along the A6, past Lyme Hall then Disley train station, keep going keep going, to a roundabout where the A6 becomes almost a motorway and go right there onto the A5004. Left onto the B5470 (Manchester Road). Keep going and that leads to the road you mentioned (Rushup Edge). All the way to the end, right, left = top of Winnats Pass.

Can I suggest:
Along the A6, past Lyme Hall then Disley train station, keep going keep going, [this bit is fine]
Underneath a railway bridge where the road bends left (about 100m before the roundabout), turn very sharp left back on yourself signposted Bugsworth Canal Basin onto the B6062. Follow the road through the village of Chinley, along parallel to the railway and it drops you into the back end of Chapel. Then up Rushup Edge from there. Quieter and more direct than the route through Whaley Bridge.

I can easily see why your route along the A6 made it to the top of Most Unpleasant Ride Ever!

[Manc33]

Can I suggest:
Along the A6, past Lyme Hall then Disley train station, keep going keep going, [this bit is fine]
Underneath a railway bridge where the road bends left (about 100m before the roundabout), turn very sharp left back on yourself signposted Bugsworth Canal Basin onto the B6062. Follow the road through the village of Chinley, along parallel to the railway and it drops you into the back end of Chapel. Then up Rushup Edge from there. Quieter and more direct than the route through Whaley Bridge.

I can easily see why your route along the A6 made it to the top of Most Unpleasant Ride Ever!

Cheers I'll have a faff on cycle.travel

This also happened on that same ride, absolute nutter. No audio due to swearing! The stupid thing is I knew he was there and I was just about to pull into the layby at the left to let him past, never got the chance though...