CeraCycloan is a Cycling UK-affiliated centre. offering bike servicing, recycled bike sales, and bike parts.

This is a pleasant ride along the Mersey Valley from Stockport to Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury. The route starts at Ceracycloan on Swallow Street, off Higher Hillgate, SK1 3HJ. From Swallow Street turn right onto Higher Hillgate and follow this down to Middle then Lower Hillgate into Stockport Centre. Turn left at Great Underbank and pick up the Trans Pennine Trail, NCN62, towards Didsbury. After a mile of urban streets, the route drops onto the Mersey Valley cycle path and then follows the river to Fletcher Moss Park. Where NCN60 turns right towards Didsbury, after about 3m, stay on the river path. Take care crossing Manchester Road, then follow Broad Oak Lane, past Waterside Hotel & Leisure Club and onto the unsurfaced track at the end of the car park. Continue on this path alongside the river for 1.5 miles, then near a left bend in the river you will see signs for Fletcher Moss Park. Attractions here include walled rock gardens, nature trail, tennis courts and a great cafe. The return ride retraces the route along the Mersey back to Stockport. Riders can continue back to the centre and ascend Hillgate or take a slightly shorter and gentler route back to the start via King Street West, Thomson Street and Bamford Street.

The route is mainly on off road riverside tracks but uses about 1.5m urban streets with some cycle facilities to link from the start. The streets are mainly quiet, but care is needed at some busier junctions. There is a hill from the start to drop down to the river and to ascend at the end. Some of the riverside path is unsurfaced and can be muddy when wet. Road bikes with narrow tyres will not be suitable unless the weather has been dry.

Pop into Ceracycloan at the start or end of your ride for a friendly chat and to peruse their second hand bikes, parts, restored bikes and useful items made from upcycled bike parts.

Enjoy the ride along the Mersey and spend some time exploring Fletcher Moss Park and Gardens. There is a cafe at Fletcher Moss and the Tandem Coffee House, a cycling cafe on Lower Hillgate, is also worth a visit at the end of your ride.