The options available for rides starting from the Manley Mere Windsurfing Centre are heavily constrained by the River Mersey and the Weaver Navigation to the north. Choosing a destination is only half of the problem the other is finding an interesting and attractive route to get there. The chosen destination was Norton Priory in Runcorn: the challenge was to find an interesting and attractive route. Rather than using the well cycled route to Acton Bridge the decision was made to climb up to Riley Bank and then down through Frodsham to cross the Weaver Navigation by the swing bridge. Being something of an exploratory ride, with a small number of riders, a shortcut along a BOAT on the edge of Frodsham was tried only to find that it degenerated into an overgrown footpath ending in a flight of steps: not the best of routes for road bikes! It was then over the swing bridge and up to Aston before entering Runcorn by the YKK factory. Although the challenge to find an interesting and attractive route to Runcorn was only partially met, we did manage to find two good routes through the town to and from Norton Priory with the path along the Bridgewater Canal being particularly attractive. Lunch was taken in the Priory café and after exploring the gardens the return journey was made via Acton Bridge back to Manley Mere and thence to Chester.
Distance from Chester and back 48 miles with 728 metres of ascent.
BW
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