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Retired, work part-time or shifts, enjoy being out in the countryside? Then cycle the lanes and byways of Cheshire and surrounding areas with Chester Easy Riders: you won't get left behind.
Chester Easy Riders is an independent cycling club affiliated to Cycling UK. We cycle every Thursday throughout the year with moderate and brisk day rides of 40 to 80 miles.

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Friday 29 April 2022

28th April 2022: Broken Cross (brisk)

Apologies Dave, for not joining you and other CER Riders for breakfast at Chirk, but John W and I did a 100 mile hilly Wales ride on Tuesday and the thoughts of more hills in Wales today was too much so we had a car assist to Crewe for our ride out today instead of a ride from Chirk.

We parked up at the King George 5th car park, Crewe at the Nantwich end of West St . A big car park and secure for leaving your vehicle and free. It was a chilly start as we set off heading for Maw Green and out towards Winterly.

If any readers can recall West St. Crewe, it was well known for a huge wall hiding the steam loco works of Crewe. The wall is now gone, and a new housing estate built inside the great walls. History gone. The wall was camouflaged with houses during the war to help convince the attacking planes they were homes and not a factory, but, could they tell from above they were vertical paintings?

Due to very low rain during April, the lanes are now very dry and potholes visible and we encountered several blocked roads hopefully for pothole fill-ins but with two exception no one working. The first at Siddington, the workers stopped to allow us through and the second at Ollerton they wanted a fist full of dollars, but John growled, and they let us through.

A snack was had at Everyday café at Alderley Edge which was a popular with locals. No famous people but a lot of chatter being emitted. 

The route would make an ideal 100 mile special ride as mainly flat but two 3/5 percent hills to negotiate. First is Pexhill and climbs steadily for 5 miles to Broken Cross, then going through this town you then have another little climb up Hare Hill before rolling into Alderley Edge. This is the road of the famous Wizard Inn – now closed and windows covered in tin shutters – another victim of Covid!!

Departing from Alderley Edge we now have a little tail wind to blow us the next 25 miles back to Crewe. 

Although I said only two hills to consider it is always with a clenched jaw, we must battle with getting through Winsford. The hill up from the main roundabout to the top of the hill before turning left for Church Minshull is a fair climb and I’m glad I don’t live here!!

Riding through Church Minshull and out to Bradfield Green is the last roadblock but we’re able to cross over via the lights and pass Leighton Hospital and back to the car park. 

Only 57 miles ridden but as usual enjoyed the day out and letting all the poor driving actions of motorists pass over us and not to forget being polite to horses too; just wish they showed us some polite space when they pass bikes with their boxes and cars.

See route map and/or gpx file download

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