The Early Season Challenge Ride is one of Cycling UK's Challenge Ride Series. This popular early season event challenges you to ride the 50 miles and stop for a proper lunch break, all within the time limit of 4 or 5 hours - your choice as to just how fast.

The route follows a figure of 8, looping out to Overton in one direction and Kinnerton in the other across the delightful county of Cheshire and edging into North Wales.

Best time of the year to ride it is the spring, longer days with some warmth in the air, daffodils in bloom and the sound of lambs. The course follows a figure of 8 starting and finishing in the village of Farndon, which is located on the banks of the River Dee, south of Chester, and close to the border with Wales. The loop north soon crosses the River Dee using an impressive sandstone medieval bridge into the market town of Holt on the Welsh side. A steady warm up ride now through Rossett, Pulford and Dodleston. At Higher Kinnerton, we climb towards Penyffordd. Your reward on a clear day are views of the sandstone hills of the mid-Cheshire Ridge, Beeston and the Bickerton hills beyond. Ascend Marford hill to join the ridge for another impressive panorama before a long, sweeping descent back towards  Holt and Farndon. The route now loops south towards Overton. Quieter Cheshire and Welsh border lanes, less hilly but passing through picturesque villages including Tilston, Cuddington and Sarn. Enjoy the descent into picturesque Bangor-on-Dee but prepare for the climb out and fast final miles to achieve your time goal, if you have one, or a leisurely finish to the day if you don't.