Cycling UK Forum

Any cyclists who frequent the Salford/Trafford/Dunham area got recent experience of the Bridgwater Way? Apparently its been recently revamped, with sections widened and resurfaced and signs placed etc.

I have a route I've used for a while to get between Salford and Delamere but it's 95% road. Looks like if I utilise this path I could incorporate 10-12 miles of traffic free. I mean, I'll head out and try it anyway, but wondered if anyone had experience?

The areas it goes through aren't wonderful, so I'm expecting glass strewn narrow paths with a hundred anti-motorcycle gates.

I live in south Trafford and about 1/4 mile from the Bridgewater canal. Years ago when I first moved here I tried commuting into the city centre on the tow path. It took ages because of the poor surface, bridges with dodgy cobbled paths and low headroom, obstructions to stop motorbikes, slowing down to pass walkers and their dogs, cyclists coming the other way and stopping to wait for anglers to get their stuff out of the way.

In recent years the tow path surface has improved a bit, but it is still very slow compared to using the road.

I sometimes use the tow path out to Lymm and beyond and that is slower than the road too.

The tow path is scenic, no glass or litter, and quite a pleasant cycling experience, but not ideal if you are in a hurry to get to work.

Great, thanks for the response. I'll take a look this weekend.

Do you think the towpaths are a bad idea for a small group in their current state? It's a toss up through Sale/Stretford of narrow and slow towpaths or busy road stretches.

A good blog imo and often covers the Bridgewater.
http://madcyclelanesofmanchester.blogspot.co.uk/