Airport to Manchester - Bridgewater Way

[DLR_77]

Hi All,

About to start commuting into MMU from Knutsford via Tatton Park, Ashley, Hale, Alti and then onto the cycle path next to the Bridgewater canal.

Question is, is this tow-path/cycle path any good for a decent average speed? I usually commute at around 18mph so am wondering if i'd be better off using the roads instead.

The stop/start nature of a busy towpath doesn't fill me with joy but neither does the A56 into town.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Katherine]

It's popular with commuting cyclists in both directions who also have to give way to dog walkers and joggers. My son uses it as part of his commute because it saves several miles. He speeds up on the rest of the ride.

Try it and see. It might depend on what time you go.

 

[400bhp]

The earlier your commute the quieter it will be. As Katherine says try it out.

We have a few commuters here that use the canal path including @Origamist who doesn't hang around.

I used to use it occasionally when I commuted into Manchester but would prefer to use it on days where I felt like going at a slower speed, on my hybrid.

If you're going to MMU then I'd suggest coming off at Stretford and using Kings Road to take you to the Uni, or use the road tht's closed to cars to take you via chorlton.

 

[Origamist]

I go via Tatton Park and use the Bridgewater Canal path (starting at Brooklands or Dane Rd). The path has a good surface and is not that well used by cyclists and pedestrians. There is one section with metal gates to slow you down (with good reason). When you get a clear run, you can move quickly, but I don't try to maintain road speeds along here. That said, it's still quick as it's straight run without traffic lights and junctions. Things to watch out for: geese, dogs, wet cobbles under bridges, blind corners under bridges, and entrance points to the path where pedestrians join. The only real downside is punctures, I pick up a few along this short section of my commute.

Enjoy the commute.

 

[united4ever]

I cycle from alti to Salford quays via the canal (coming off the canal Trafford park). Think I average only about 12 mph and I don't get overtaken much but do a fair bit of overtaking. Dog walkers are the things that slow you down the most but it is a shared path after all. Decided to get some heavy marathon tyres because I was getting a couple of punctures a month...some sort of flint like gravel surface and some pieces were sharp enough to puncture my old basic tyres. Overall though it was the catalyst to me getting back into cycling so I am grateful....wouldnt have had the confidence for the A56 in rush hour.

 

[mythste]

I dont know the route particularly well, but ride from Runcorn to Whalley Range/didsbury most friday evenings and go from tatton park through to chorlton etc. the roads around the tail end are TERRIBLE. Especially when its wet. Almost went end over last week as the rain filled a pothole and i completely missed it. I dare say if I hadnt had panniers weighing the back down I could have been in trouble. Also, dont even entertain the cycle lanes, theyre riddled with potholes as well.

Theres probably a better way than that though, so maybe ignore my rant

 

[clf]

18Mph is far too fast for the canal, it can be very busy in parts between Timperley and Stretford with dog walkers and children, there are already conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians due to the minority of cyclists going treating it as a their own personal race track. It's only a matter of time before someone gets injured. Even as a cyclists I would welcome some speed reducing measures along there. When I used to use it for commuting I would see a close call almost everyday.
I don't use it any more due to this, and prefer to take my chances on the A56.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Much better to go from Hale, Thorley Lane to Brooklands roundabout, then alongside Wythenshawe Park (with the park on your right), Northenden, Palatine Road (or maybe Burton Road, Yew Tree Road, depending on the time) then Wilmslow Road into town. Wilmslow Road will be the worst bit, but in general bus drivers and the like are ok as they're used to the students.
The above doesn't name all the roads but look at a map and you'll get the drift.

 

[400bhp]

Much better to go from Hale, Thorley Lane to Brooklands roundabout, then alongside Wythenshawe Park (with the park on your right), Northenden, Palatine Road (or maybe Burton Road, Yew Tree Road, depending on the time) then Wilmslow Road into town. Wilmslow Road will be the worst bit, but in general bus drivers and the like are ok as they're used to the students.
The above doesn't name all the roads but look at a map and you'll get the drift.

That route is not a patch on a canal run at any time other than pre 7:30 am.

 

[fossyant]

Avoid Wilmslow Road, new cycle lanes or not.

 

[fossyant]

PS Don't forget to get your cycle parking sorted !

 

[400bhp]

Avoid Wilmslow Road, new cycle lanes or not.

I was down that way last night, albeit I didn't get as far as curry mile.

I really don't like the new segregated lanes. There's a lot of openings and it feels like drivers can forget you're there and turn across you. This might be me getting used to it though.

Wilmslow Rd is w@nk though, I agree

 

[fossyant]

I was down that way last night, albeit I didn't get as far as curry mile.

I really don't like the new segregated lanes. There's a lot of openings and it feels like drivers can forget you're there and turn across you. This might be me getting used to it though.

Wilmslow Rd is w@nk though, I agree

I don't like the bollards and raised curbs. The one near Sainsburys in Fallowfield looked dangerous.

 

[400bhp]

I don't like the bollards and raised curbs. The one near Sainsburys in Fallowfield looked dangerous.

The raised curb is just ridiculous. I can't fathom out the reasoning for it.

 

[Origamist]

18Mph is far too fast for the canal, it can be very busy in parts between Timperley and Stretford with dog walkers and children, there are already conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians due to the minority of cyclists going treating it as a their own personal race track. It's only a matter of time before someone gets injured. Even as a cyclists I would welcome some speed reducing measures along there. When I used to use it for commuting I would see a close call almost everyday.
I don't use it any more due to this, and prefer to take my chances on the A56.

I traveled along the canal from Dane Road to just shy of Media City this morning and there were 9 cyclists and 2 pedestrians only. This lack of people is not unusual in my experience. I do think it will get busier in the next few months, but it's never been congested.