Marple

[Colin B]

OK need a little info from the Manchester members with regards a ride I'm doing on good Friday . The plan is to ride down the Ashton canal then at Portland basin go down the other canal to Marple I forget its name now think its 12 miles all said and done , but what I want to know is once I get to the other end is there anywhere for a sit with the bike while I have a drink and some food before heading back that you could recommend

 

[stephec]

Sit on the grass/wall by the canal in Marple, or were you after advice on where to buy food from?

 

[Colin B]

Yeah more a cafe where I can buy a sausage butty or just sit and have a coffee its years since I've been to Marple so I have literally no recollection of the place

 

[stephec]

Quite a while since I've stopped there so that's my advice exhausted unfortunately.

 

[Hacienda71]

There is a pub next to the canal where they do half decent food and have live music quite a lot. Jazz principally. Can't remember the name but my brother will know as he lives in Marple. I can ask him if that is the sort of thing you are looking for.

 

[Saluki]

I saw the thread title and my mind immediately went to Agatha Christie.
Have a lovely ride.

 

[Colin B]

There is a pub next to the canal where they do half decent food and have live music quite a lot. Jazz principally. Can't remember the name but my brother will know as he lives in Marple. I can ask him if that is the sort of thing you are looking for.

Could be the navigation I'm going over Google street view but nothing beats personal experience

 

[vernon]

Marple?

I'd give it a Miss.

 

[Cubist]

Marple?

I'd give it a Miss.

Hard to detect the humour in that one Vern........

 

[perplexed]

Hard to detect the humour in that one Vern........

Yes, the reply wasn't all it was Crack'd up to be...

 

[fossyant]

There are a few cafés and bistros on the main high start. There is a co-op, as well as a bakery.

What you really need to do, is stop in Romiley and visit Polocini cafe, it's on Central Drive in the middle of the village, just back from the Main Street. It's a cyclists cafe, bike racks, racing on the big screen. Popular with all sorts of cyclists. You can jump off the canal there and head to the village centre. The cafe is opposite the Romiley Forum theatre, and he has a small board pointing to the shop.

 

[I like Skol]

Or the farm as you go over the top of the tunnel near Romiley, trying to think of the name, they have a little garden at the back where you can sit outside and enjoy your full English in the sunshine. Hydebank Farm, Oakwood road. It's a mile or two before you get to Marple, I've cycled there with the kids a time or two.

Watch out for the tunnel as you pass under Woodley, it gets a bit dark in there. It can be ridden in the dark as there is a railing but it is easier if you walk and even easier if you have a good torch

 

[longers]

Or carry on a bit and visit the cafe at Roman Lakes and see if there's any sweet potato pie on the go.

 

[Colin B]

Well just got back from the 22 mile round trip ride to Marple and it was lovely to say the least .Hurt my back a little pushing too hard , but its nothing a long soak and a pain killer won't cure got bloody in the dark tunnel so won't be racing through that again with no lights and sunglasses .Took it nice and stead for the most part and at lock 13 came off for a well deserved pint in the navigation pub then continued to top lock 16 before heading back .
Coming back we got a little bit of speed as it was quiet and were soon back at Portland basin where we rested our battered testicals because padding isn't good after a while swallowed a fly and spewed which made my little brother laugh a lot .Anyways a few pictures of the day

 

[stephec]

There are certain sections of that report that contain too much information.