DEBDALE PARK AND THE ASHTON CANAL. The Manchester Cycleway is an excellent route for families with a tarmac path stretching from north of Debdale Park in Gorton through to Chorlton. This ride takes in the northern part of the path and includes an optional visit to the Velodrome. Start - Junction of Longford Road West and Nelstrop Road, Reddish. (Optional start - Car park at Debdale Park - follow Option 3 to join the main route at *). Travelling along Longford Road West from Reddish Road, the road takes a sharp left and in front is an unmade road - park with care so as not to block any drives. Refreshments - McDonalds at Debdale Park or Asda at Sportcity Toilets - Debdale Park or Asda. Distance - 12 miles round trip from Reddish or 10 from Debdale Park with options down to 4 miles. Main route - Ahead on the unmade road is a turquoise barrier which is the access on to the Manchester Cycleway. Cross the bridge and turn left down to the Cycleway. Turn right and enjoy a pleasant run on a well surfaced path to Debdale Park. After about 1.5 miles the path crosses the busy Hyde Road. Shortly afterwards, it crosses over another path and you should take the path leading down to the left. The path it crosses is the one leading from Debdale Park and is your return route.*. (Option one and Two go from here) At the bottom of the hill turn right again. This path on a mainly good surface continues in roughly the same direction on an interesting corridor through Gorton. The only parts to watch out for are the first junction where the path goes slightly right to cross over a minor road and a grass triangle where the signpost had been twisted when we rode along. But keep on in the same direction as closely as possible and eventually you reach the canal. From here you can make a diversion to the left about 0.25 miles to Asda and its facilities or even over the bridge to the Velodrome (but careful as the traffic is very busy round this area.) Returning to the point you joined the canal, proceed away from the Velodrome direction along the canal. This section is quite interesting with a number of locks and reasonably surfaced path. At one point, the canal turns sharp right near a double lock where clearly at one time there was a canal arm straight across the water. From the sharp bend continue under three more bridges and at the fourth, just after a playing field on the right, leave the canal on the road to the right. In 100 yards this reaches the main road. Cross over with great care to a short cycle path which leads straight ahead on to a quiet estate road. Follow this to a junction by a school where turn left to Fairfield station. Immediately over the station bridge, turn left along a public footpath which should be walked. This leads out on to an unmade road where turn right. This wide road eventually leads back to Debdale Park on the right just after a footpath joins from the right. (This is where option 2 rejoins the route). Turn right into the Park along a drive and follow this round to the right to the Children's playground and toilets. Returning to the last junction, continue ahead, bearing right at all junctions to leave the Park into the Park car park opposite McDonalds. Continue across the car park , following the path alongside the Buildings opposite the car park entrance then past the Lake. The path continues under a bridge , immediately after which turn right uphill to turn right to rejoin and retrace the outward route. Option 1 - approximately 4 miles - go down the hill to the left then turn left under the bridge. Follow this path past the Lake and into the car park. Bear left across the car park and take the path exit into the Park. Bearing left at all junctions come to an excellent children's playground and toilets. Retrace your route. Option 2 - approximately 6 miles - Instead of going down the hill continue straight ahead to reach a small road. Cross the road and continue to the next bridge and quiet road by the Donkey Sanctuary. Turn right down this road which eventually leads to a gate (take care as the surface is a bit broken). Continue in the same direction to eventually join the unmade road at the edge of the Park. Turn right and follow the main directions. Option 3 - from Debdale Park. - approximately 2/3 miles From the car park head towards the building opposite the car park entrance. Follow the path at the side of the building and on past the Lake. Pass under the bridge and immediately turn right up the hill to the Cycleway. Turn left then follow Option 2 to make a circuit of the Park and back to the starting point. from Vanessa The Google Girl. my skype name is rainbowstar123