Cycling in Cheshire
Cycling in Cheshire
Chester, one of Britain’s most handsome old towns, has a couple of fine car-free routes: the railtrail out to Connah’s Quay (part of NCN5) which forms a family-friendly loop back via the Dee, and the (sometimes narrow) Shropshire Union Canal towpath up to Ellesmere Port. And while the famous historic shopping galleries weren’t designed for bikes, there’s a network of colour-coded routes for getting round the centre.
Cheese, salt and chemicals might come to mind once you’ve left Chester’s half-timbered houses and quaint old streets. Indeed, industrial Warrington, with its section of the Transpennine Trail running along the Manchester Ship Canal, is the county’s other big town (with a lively local cycle campaign group) and rail travellers will be familiar with Crewe, if only, literally, in passing.
Outside those places, though, Cheshire is a largely rural place with many well-to-do villages and small towns (including the ‘Golden Triangle’, with affluent places such as Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Prestbury). It can be enjoyably explored through many short day and leisure rides. The Middlewood Way, a railtrail part of NCN55, runs 11 miles from Macclesield to Marple. Lovers of history and architecture have routes visiting the area’s finest churches; while for outdoor fans there’s Delamere Forest, not far from Chester, with a range of bike trails for family trips. Potter across on back roads to Northwich and you can cycle short stretches of canal towpath to see one of Britain’s – and the world’s – canal marvels, the Anderton Boat Lift.
And if you need a tea and cake after all that cycling, the Eureka Cafe (and bike shop) at Two Mills, outside Chester, is one of Britain’s best-known cycling cafes, a lively and friendly hub for local club rides.
Cycling groups and clubs in Cheshire
Chester CTC (Chester)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/chester-ctc-including-fabulous-ladies
http://chesterctc.blogspot.co.uk/
Weekly leisure and touring rides including women-only rides
Chester and North Wales CTC (Chester)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/chester-and-north-wales-ctc-caer-gogledd-cymru
http://www.ctcchesterandnwales.org.uk/
Rides of all types in some of Britain’s finest scenery
South Manchester CTC
https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/south-manchester
A touring club with rides starting in start in Cheadle, Hazel Grove and Wilmslow
St Helens and Warrington Cycle Club (St Helens)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/st-helens-warrington-ctc
http://sthelensandwarringtonctc.co.uk/
Easy paced half and full-day rides in and around St Helens and Warrington
Seamons Cycling Club (Altrincham)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/seamons-cc
Traditional cycling club of cycling as pastime and sport
Stockport Community Cycling Club (Stockport)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/stockport-community-cycling-club
Offers a range of leisurely rides on and off-road for anyone from 9 years and up
Cheshire Roads Club (Stockport)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/cheshire-roads-club
http://www.cheshireroadsclub.co.uk/
Sunday club runs plus track racing, time trialling and touring
Chester Cycling Campaign (Chester)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/chester-cycling-campaign
http://www.chestercyclecity.org/
Campaigns to improve conditions and facilities for cyclists in Chester and area
Chester Great Outdoors Club (Chester)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/chester-great-outdoors-club
http://www.greatoutdoors.org.uk/index.php?view=home
Organises a variety of activities in and around Chester including mountain biking and road cycling
Chester Triathlon Club (Chester)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/chester-triathlon-club
Social rides, coached and turbo sessions, summer evening and winter weekend rides and time trials
Hartford CATS (Hartford)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/hartford-cats
http://www.hartfordcats.org.uk/
Informal social group that rides in the Cheshire countryside with tea and cake
Warrington Revolution MTB Mountain Biking Club (Warrington)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/warrington-revolution-mtb
http://www.warringtonrevolutionmtb.co.uk/
Social group that rides trails in the evenings, also day and weekend rides further afield
Wild Bikes Cycling Club (Warrington)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/wild-bikes-cycling-club
Weekly club rides catering for all levels in both road and mountain biking
South East Cheshire Cycle Action Group (Congleton)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/south-east-cheshire-cycle-action-group-seccag
Promotes cycling in and around Congleton
CycleKnutsford (Knutsford, Cheshire)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/cycle-knutsford
https://cycleknutsford.wordpress.com/events/
Local campaigning group, also arranges rides and training
Congleton Cycling Campaign (Congleton)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/congleton-cc
http://www.congletoncycling.co.uk
Campaigns to promote and encourage cycling
Macclesfield Wheelers (Macclesfield)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/macclesfield-wheelers
http://www.macclesfieldwheelers.org.uk/
From riding for pleasure to road racing with many regular rides for a range of abilities
Cycle Wilmslow (Wilmslow)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/cycle-wimslow
http://www.cyclewilmslow.org.uk/
Community organisation campaigning for better cycling provision
St Paul’s Centre Cycles (Crewe)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/christian-concern-cc-cycles
http://stpaulscentre.org.uk/st-pauls-cycles/
Volunteers collect and refurbish 400 cycles a year; the bikes are for sale twice a week
Chester Easy Riders (Chester)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/chester-easy-riders
http://www.chestereasyriders.co.uk/
Independent cycling club with moderate and brisk day rides of 40 to 80 miles on Thursdays
Crewe Clarion Wheelers (Crewe)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/crewe-clarion-wheelers
http://www.creweclarionwheelers.org/
Sunday morning and other rides with distances between 40 and 90 miles
Audlem Cycling Club (Audlem)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/audlem-cycling-club
https://audlemcyclingclub.wordpress.com/
Sunday club runs of 50-60 miles with a cafe stop and Wednesday MTB rides
Nantwich Cycling Group (Nantwich)
http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/ncg-nantwich-cycling-group
https://en-gb.facebook.com/nantwichcycling/
Campaigns for cycling and runs rides
What to take with you on your ride
The only thing you really need for cycling is a bike. And maybe a phone, and credit card: in Britain you’re only a call away from any service you might need.
But unless money is no object, it’s wise to take a few things with you on a day ride. A saddlebag or rear rack and panniers are best for carrying stuff. A front basket is second best. A rucksack is third best. Your sweaty back will soon tell you why.
Cycling short distances in jeans and t-shirt is fine, but on a long or strenuous ride – over ten miles say, or in hills – those jeans will rub and the t-shirt will get damp and clingy. Shorts or, yes, lycra leggings and padded shorts will be much comfier, and merino or polyester cycling tops wick away the sweat, keeping you dry and comfy. (They don’t have to be lurid colours.)
If rain’s in the air, pack a rainproof top. If it might turn chilly, take a fleece or warm top. But the thing you’re most likely to forget is the sunblock.
It’s remarkable how often you enjoy being out on the bike so much that you suddenly realise it’s getting dark. So take lights (which are legally required at night). They’re price of a sandwich, take no space, are easy to put on thanks to tool-free plastic clips, and the batteries last for ever.
Take a puncture repair kit (with tyre levers) and pump. Make sure it fits your valves, which will be either ‘Presta’ or ‘Schraeder’ – realising they don’t match is a very common roadside discovery! Carrying a spare inner tube (make sure it matches your tyre size) makes puncture repair much easier: mend the old one back at home. If you do get in trouble, some kindly passing cyclist will probably stop to help.
Using a helmet is a personal choice – they’re not legally required.
Cycling makes you thirsty, so take lots of water. Long-distance riders talk about ‘the bonk’ – a sudden loss of energy rendering you almost stationary. It’s miraculously and instantly cured by eating something sweet. On short rides you’re unlikely to run out of energy, but just in case, take a snack like flapjack, banana, chocolate or jelly babies.
Taking a packed lunch or picnic will save you money, though that hot drink and cake in a cosy cafe could yet prove very tempting!
Your phone GPS could be invaluable for showing where you are when lost; you can download free detailed UK maps and GPS software before your trip.
Paper maps are still useful, though, so take one: no power source or wifi signal required, and they’re great for suggesting possibilities or changes of plan.
What have we missed? Let us know your favourite routes by leaving a comment below.
Cycling routes in Cheshire
Getting around Chester and Warrington, and many rural leisure rides
Cycle A-way’s list of routes and resources
Discover Cheshire Cycling Trails
Cycling events in Cheshire
Check out our events calendar to find a ride that suits you
Make sure your bike is working
(From our partners, Halfords)
Creaking cranks, wobbly wheels or slipping saddles are the last thing you want, but Halfords' guide to basic bike maintenance will keep you rolling smoothly. Whether you’re a regular commuter, a leisurely weekend rider, or prefer to tear it up on a serious MTB trail, signs of wear and tear might keep you off the saddle from time to time. Whilst we can’t promise to banish those roadside mishaps, we can help keep your bike tip top with our top tips!
You’re heading out on your lovely bike, with a pannier packed with your essentials. A glorious route lies ahead, but then you run into a spot of bother! Most of the time there are handy hacks you can do to tide you over whilst out and about, and we’ve taken a look into the most common bike problems and solutions…
Clicking saddle? Check that the bolts connecting the saddle to the seat post are not loose. Tighten until the saddle is firmly secured using an allen key from your trusty toolbox!
Squealing brakes? This could be down to dirt or oil on the brake pads. Give it a quick wipe down, then when you get home take the brake pads off and readjust.
Squeaky derailleur? A little lube should help. Remove any excess.
Creaky pedals? Dry pedal bearings, loose crank arms or a worn bottom bracket could be the culprit. Once home, remove and lube the pedal bearings, tighten and lube the crank arms, or replace the bottom bracket if it’s still making a fuss.
Problem areas
Some of the problems you find with your bike might need a closer look, and here’s where we can help!
Wobbling disc rotors, spongy brakes and rattling bolts needn’t be as pesky as they sound for long enough to keep you off your bike! Call and see us with your two wheels at your local Halfords, or with any other bike bothers you might have.
From as little as £15 a year, Halfords will take the labour out of looking after your bike. Halfords offer a range of care packages, they provide free fitting on all parts and accessories bought from Halfords, and even include an annual service worth £50 as part of the plan!