Skyride Manchester on Sunday

[crisscross]

Hi, just wondered if anyone else on here is doing the Manc. Skyride this Sunday?

We've done Ride the Lights but never one of these.

Does anyone know if there is a car parking set up anywhere or is it anywhere you can find?

We're staying overnight on Sunday as my daughter is riding at the velodrome on Monday so should be a fun weekend.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Last year we just found a car park , there is a big one on Stanley Street off Inwell Street which is 3 mins up past the Opra House onto Deansgate where they ran it from last year.

 

[DTD]

Will be going on it – did last year too.
Not surprisingly, the forecast's for rain!
Suppose you could check at the velodrome for parking?

Otherwise it's where you can find – don't forget central Manchester will be closed to cars (obviously)

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Hi, just wondered if anyone else on here is doing the Manc. Skyride this Sunday?

Errr... I saw an email recently which definately said someone up the North side of Manchester was offering parking. I may have deleted it though... let me see what I can find

I thought we'd not be able to do this one but we are actually about, so if anyone sees a couple on two Bromptons...

 

[fossyant]

I've done it in the past, and we ended up with the bikes in the cars (took two cars) as most of the parking is in multi-storey.

Not doing it this year as I'll be away. Just remember if you've got bikes on the car roof, be careful where you park. Could get away with it at the Asda next to the velodrome ?

Unless the building work has finished at the Velodrome, the ride will stop at the athletics stadium. It's pretty busy, but plenty of free drinks available. Just watch for the idiots who think they can ride at full speed with people wobbling all over the place.

Will most likely do 'Ride the Lights' again this year.

 

[400bhp]

Yes I am doing it.

Will be cycling in from Timperley.

Where are you staying in Manc? I'd suggest parking at a Metrolink station outside of town.

E.g. Cornbrook station if you are not leaving the car overnight.

Or, perhaps somewhere around Timperley, Sale or Navigation Rd station if leaving overnight. Downside is that you cannot take the bikes on the tram.

Or here which is just West of Deansgate and hence you'll be able to get to your car on the Sunday.

 

[Rob3rt]

I saw it out of my appartment window last, year, it looked sh*t tbh, riding up and down a cruddy road in the middle of a city centre?

I was tempted this year just to maybe bump into some of the forumers who may be doing it for a bit of a social but my parents will be visiting me and the girlfriend so again wont be doing it.

 

[fossyant]

Rob3rt - it's for beginners and families really, and yes there are some crappy bits, especially near City's ground. The bit near the Castlefield Arena was pointless - you had to walk then get back on.

 

[Rob3rt]

Surely it would be better for them to ask a local park to have their grounds for a day? Platt Fields park or something, there is about 4-5 miles of path's in there, its a pleasant place to be and the community bike workshop and cafe of pedal manchester is based there in the boathouse.

 

[fossyant]

Probably more pleasant, but it's like the London one - close the city centres. TBH the route once past Picadilly Station is grotty, but I suppose it has to go somewhere near the Velodrome, although last year due to the building works, everything turned round at the athletics stadium.

Also there are way too many participants for the Park to cope. There are thousands ! Heaton Park might be big enough, but it's all about 'taking over the city'. One good route would be out via Upper Brook St, then back down Oxford Road, totally closed, then round the city centre, but that's really shutting the centre down.

 

[Rob3rt]

Fair points, I live near Piccadilly station and remember it last year, didnt look very exciting, there was also a troop of marshals stopping people running the red light into certain death like lemmings.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

We missed last year but enjoyed the year before, and we don't have kids. It's a nice gentle pootle about and the atmosphere is pretty good. We managed the London one as well by chance that year, the Manchester one was much better, London was just too busy.

I still can't find the email, think I deleted it, but I did find this on the website

Getting there by car Please be aware that due to the event a number of roads will be closed around the city centre, so we wouldn’t recommend you driving in. If driving is your only option, car parking will be available at the following locations:

Sportcity – parking is available in car park 1 and 3, accessed from Gate 2 on Alan Turing Way. This is the main car park and ideal for families.

Castlefield – there is no car parking at Castlefield. Please follow signs to one of the city centre car parks.

Platt Fields – please do not use the main car park at Platt Fields, instead use the temporary car park accessed off Grangethorpe Road.

 

[crisscross]

Just found out that we are staying near the Trafford Centre.

This is only about 5 miles out of the centre so we may well park up at the hotel and cycle in.

On the Manchester - Blackpool ride it went past the hotel so I can probably find our way back to the Imperial War Museum area but then it looks like big A roads into the centre.

Are there any child friendly routes that anyone can recommend?

 

[fossyant]

Ohh, We ARE RIDING IT NOW apparently.....!

What to do with grandparents ?

 

[Peter88]

Will be doing the ride on Sunday (even the wife wants to go )