My first 10K


Well after doing some planning yesterday evening I hit the road at 9 am this morning to try and ride into the city center. Google had found a route that would keep me of the main roads for 90% of my journey so I was comforted that I wouldn't be fighting traffic until I got into Manchester city center.

The route took me up the Fallowfield loop to where it crosses the path of the Stockpot branch canal. At this point I missed the turning onto the canal path and promptly got lost. I had turned around and given up as even with google maps I was struggling to find the route when I basically came around the corner and saw a set of sign s I had missed pointing out the path. I took a moment to have a drink then decided to at least get to sportcity where the velodrome and bmx stadium are.

So I headed off down the old canal which is now disused filled in and converted to another decent quality cycle route i followed this to north to where the canal joins the still navigable Ashton canal and then I followed the canal west past the Manchester velodrome and bmx stadium, past a small council stadium where a little local team "plays" football. And into the city center coming off the canal at Islington.

After a slightly less terrifying then expected ride on the main roads of Manchester dived into the northern quarter and stopped at the arts center for a well deserted coffee. all in all it took me 42 minutes to do 10.92 Km and after spending a bit of time riding around Manchester and visiting a couple of cycle shops i rode to Piccadilly and got a train back home. I'm really pleased that I was able to do this I've never actually ridden a bike to somewhere like this before and I was surprised that I could do it and also that Manchester is slightly better setup for cyclist then I thought more over i was pleased that I was able to mix with traffic as well pretty confidently and didn't get killed!

All in all its been a good day!

TL: DR went for first 10 K ride and is chuffed.