Station to Station

We want to show you how you can enjoy your bike in the Greater Manchester area. We have a series of assisted rides, using the train and tram network. You can ride the full circuits (there are two!), or you can pick and choose from the stages, using the train or tram to get you back where you started.

There is no entry fee. You can ride any time you wish. Just pick a good day. The ride does NOT coun towards the Peak Audax Round The Year award!

Join us for a group ride on the third Saturday each month. These group rides are flexible and you can drop out along the way and catch the train if you don’t want to do the full ride. See the ride schedule to find where and when we meet

The Inner Ring has mainly short, fairly flat stages, using minor roads and cycle paths between stations and tram stops. The ride is suitable for any bike, but only folding bike are (currently) allowed on the Metrolink.

The Outer Ring has longer stages between National Rail stations and may involve more hilly terrain. The route follows quiet roads but also ventures onto canal towpaths and former railway track beds, so a gravel bike or a mountain bike would be ideal. Don’t let that spoil the fun, you can ride on whatever you have (we’ve done it on a skinny road bike and a Brompton).

Inner Ring (Clockwise)
Airport to Altrincham
8km (5 miles) / 31m (102 feet)
Airport to Altrincham
Altrincham to Trafford Centre
13km (8 miles) / 44m (144 feet)
Altrincham to Trafford Centre
Trafford Centre to Eccles
3km (2 miles) / 20m (66 feet)
Trafford Centre  to Eccles
Eccles to Bury
20km (13 miles) / 182m (597 feet)
Eccles to Bury
Bury to Rochdale
10km (6 miles) / 113m (371 feet)
Bury to Rochdale
Rochdale to Ashton
23km (14 miles) / 152m (499 feet)
Rochdale to Ashton
Ashton to East Didsbury
15km (9 miles) / 57m (187 feet)
Ashton to East Didsbury
East Didsbury to Airport
11km (7 miles) / 81m (266 feet)
East Didsbury to Airport

Outer Ring (Anticlockwise)
Airport to Hazel Grove
26km (16 miles) / 150m (492 feet)
Airport to Hazel Grove
Hazel Grove to Marple
Hazel Grove to Marple
28km (18 miles) / 393m (1289 feet)
Marple to Hadfield
35km (22 miles) / 452m (1483 feet)
Hazel Grove to Marple
Hadfield to Littleborough
Hadfield to Greenfield
20km (13 miles) / 313m (1027 feet)
Greenfield to Littleborough
19km (12 miles) / 277m (909 feet)
Hadfield to Littleborough
Littleborough to Bromley Cross
40km (25 miles) / 513m (1683 feet)

Littleborough to Bromley Cross
Bromley Cross to Appley Bridge
30km (19 miles) / 365m (1197 feet)
Bromley Cross to Appley Bridge
Appley Bridge to Irlam
33km (21 miles) / 129m (423 feet)
Bromley Cross to Appley Bridge
Irlam to Airport
41km (26 miles) / 275m (902 feet)
Irlam to Airport

You ride at your own risk. The routes are all on public rights of way so if there is anything you don’t like, feel free to make a diversion. Let us know if you ride any of the stages, especially if you have any observations and comments about how to improve the rides.

We recommend that you have 3rd party insurance. If you’re a fully paid-up members of Cycling UK , then you can ride with confidence.

You can use whatever bike you have, including electric-assist, road bikes and gravel bikes. Remember that non-folding bikes are not allowed on the Metrolink trams and you will struggle to get tandems, trikes, and recumbents on the train.

Secret Link