Middlewood Way is an 11-mile (16-km), traffic-free greenway from Macclesfield to Marple.
Doing the near impossible and providing an effectively gradient-free way to Macclesfield (or Marple if heading north), this is a pleasant ride through the fields and a few small towns such as Bollington. It doesn't have quite the scenic splendour of other Peak-area trails like Tissington, but who's comparing?
It is well used by walkers and horse riders, with the path split accordingly in sections, so take care as competition for space means you'll need to slow right down. Beware, too - largely it's a wide path but there are sections where if you're on the wrong side you'll have to yield to pedestrians.
If it's been raining it's a mudfest. The surface is mostly hardpack so no deep gloop, but a surface slick of liquid mud means you'll end up covered head-to-toe. Much better in the dry when it's a fast-rolling surface all the way.