I go the opposite way on my mtb to get from Levenshulme to Roman Lakes and there’s quite a few off road routes.

Here is a very rough description! You can firm it up by googling Manchester Werneth Low MTB and looking at the end of the loops of the Garmin/Strava posts which this route is based on..

Best to go through Brabyns over the canal aqueduct along the canal and turn left off to Chadkirk Chapel, which brings you out by Otterspool Wier then there’s a bridleway along the Goyt all the way to Bredbury. Take a short road hop to Pear Mill (there is a shortcut which takes you to Vernon Park) then turn right under the M60 left at the top of the track through to Brinnington and into Reddish Vale.

From north end of Reddish Vale you climb out past the school and down the road to Levy. There’s a right turn which will take you on to the Fallowfield Loop.

Follow the Loop until Debdale Park and turn left along another bridleway which takes you to the Ashton Canal and National Cycling Centre. From there you can follow the canal past City’s ground into town.

It will take a bit of time, but there’s very little road and it’s not as complicated as it sounds….

If you can get a frame which fits you I’d recommend a Cotic Soul – they’re very versatile bikes.

I rode the Grizedale PMBA Enduro on mine with some big tyres on it and the bike coped with it far better than I did….

I’ve got some skinny tyres on it at the moment and it’s mainly ridden through woodland singletrack. It feels very agile.

I’ve ridden it with a 140mm and a 120mm fork and like both, but my riding in the Peaks/Lancs/Mancs suits 120mm more.

Some big tyres and an adjustable travel fork like a Pike would make it even more versatile.

Never ridden a Solaris, but those I know who have them love them – more wheel options if you do decide to go 27.5+ too. I’d find that very tempting on rocky Lakeland trails…

All this crap about must having a FS for the Lakes is a bit much – some of us actually enjoy the challenge of riding a hardtail over rocky ground!

Second HONC for me – it makes always makes me thankful I live in Manchester with access to decent trails. Perfect ride for a CX bike pretty dull for a MTB. That mud was horrific it sucked the joy from the ride for me and my rear mech with it, good job I had a spare mech hanger. Great training though and very well organised.

I’ve had lots of fun on my 45650b on natural mountain routes and trail centres and compared to the Genesis Core I used to ride it’s not harsh at all!

But as capable as it is at gobbling up rocky descents like the track from LLyn Crafnant to Capel Curig the fun factor seems to be missing for me.

I read a review of it which says it feels high in the corners and I’d agree with that.

I suppose I’m looking for a lighter bike, which feels great pumping round a corner, pops a manual without having to get your arse 4ft off the back of the bike and makes the trail come alive rather than bludgeoning everything before it into submission.

The Switchback looks like a great handling bike, but it’s a bit pricey when I factor in all the bits and tools I’d need for a build and it’s just as heavy as a 45650b.

Cheers Superfli – the switchback is looking very tempting especially with those short chainstays – must be easy to get it airborne….

Been looking at Switchbacks too but I was wondering if they’re as good an all rounder as the soul?