Second City Divide

Second City Divide is a bike-packing route between Glasgow and Manchester; two proud Second Cities linked by, if you look carefully, some of the UK'S best all-road riding.

"The way out of Manchester is nice, following the Ashton Canal and quickly ending in the countryside. I turn back from time to time to check the distancing view on the city. It still seems huge from up here. The climbs are tough and I finally join the Pennine Bridleway. Dry masonry walls as far as the eye can see, uncountable sheep and a path that alternates between alternately smooth and very rocky. This is going to be tough, but I'm also very glad to be here. The bottom of my pannier catches a rock on one of the stony descents - my first (and only) crash of the ride; one pretty bruised, scratched and bleeding arm and a broken pannier hook. Too bad. (...)"

Click the button below to read Gaëlle’s full story: