Holding Bay: Rolling Routes
Routes that comprise plenty of elevation gain without really big climbs
Rolling Lanes around Adlington (60km/37 miles)
A really enjoyable, rolling & scenic Wilmslow Cycle Route starting from the Farmers Arms on Chapel Lane.
This route involves over 2500' of climb but without encountering any major hills, therefore a really rolling ride!!
The route heads into Alderley Edge and departs on the lower road up towards Mottram St. Andrew, climbing gently up Mottram Road, Oak Road and Chelford Road, followed by a swift descent into Prestbury. From here there is a short section along the A523 before turning right onto more country lanes through Whiteley Green and a minor circuit around the back of Adlington and the Miners Arms.
You reach the highest points of the route as you climb up through Pott Shrigley and round the top of Bollington into Kerridge before joining the B5470 descending into Macclesfield. The next section of the route was an experimental by-pass of the town centre that proved really successful! - skirting around Victoria Park, a brief section up the A537, cutting across to Windmill Park to join the road towards Langley and away from the town. There is then more rolling terrain out through Sutton, crossing the A523 for a bit of the Cheshire Cycleway, then turning towards Broken Cross.
The return section of the route is most fun in a small group, pushing hard and taking turns at the front. The A537 to Monks Heath is a slight downhill on a smooth road - encouraging a really quick pace. The final section of the ride is then along the cycle path of the Alderley Edge bypass - also slightly downhill and frequently with a tail wind!
Biddulph and Back (65km / 41 miles)
Starting from the Farmers Arms, this route heads out through Alderley Edge and presents its first challenge in the form of Artists Lane (good for warming you up on a cold morning!). The route then continues to follow the Cheshire Cycleway (Henbury option) through to Gawsworth, has 1/2 a mile on the A536 before resuming the country lanes across to the A54 for a short stretch.
You then turn onto Peover Lane and commence the climb up the side of Bosley Cloud (continuing onto Red Lane) and past the Clay Pigeon Shooting Grounds.
A couple of miles of fast descent then follow and take you to Biddulph, where the route turns onto Mow Lane for the final notable climb.
The return section of the loop passes to the south of Congleton, through Swettenham and past Jodrell Bank (take care along Batemill Lane) before returning through Marthall back into Wilmslow.
Off the Beaten Track (78km / 48 miles)
The route starts from the Farmers Arms on Chapel Lane, with a gentle start out through Adlington, warming up as you climb towards Pott Shrigley but turn off early via the scenic Sugar Lane to reach Bollington. The route then climbs out via Kerridge onto the Buxton Road up to 1400' and then descends along the river into Wildboarclough. More climbing takes you up to the A54 (again up to 1400') before following a couple of loop sections on very rural lanes (the road surface can be loose and bumpy so care is required).
The return section of the route is more direct; there is a very fast descent down the A54 into Bosley, and a series of quiet lanes to Gawsworth before picking up the Cheshire Cycleway to return via Henbury, Over Alderley and Mottram.
One Big Hill (78km / 49 miles)
The start-point for the route is Wilmslow Station.
This week's route stays "off the beaten" track as much as possible & meanders through a whole series of country lanes.
The first 24 miles are reasonably flat, the route then ascends the start of Bosley Cloud, descends through the woods and arrives at the base of Minn End Lane - the "One Big Hill" of the ride - a very rural lane of almost 700' elevation gain offering amazing views in all directions - just be mindful of the loose road surface, there are also a number of gates you'll need to dismount to open & close along the way.
After the hill, you're treated to 3 miles of descent back into Macclesfield before a bit more climbing up & over to Bollington before a swift return via Adlington.
Whaley Tour (64km / 40 miles)
A route with a lot of ups & downs. There are no major (Black) climbs but there are a few fairly short but steep sections along the way. Of particular note is the section along Start Lane as you approach Whaley Bridge - there is a sign saying "unsuitable for motors", this refers to a steep, narrow cobbled section of road that is fairly demanding of both mind and body.
The route takes the gentlest (still Red) approach to Pym's Chair, offering you fantastic views from the top (1522' above sea-level).
This week's start-point for the route is The Farmers Arms on Chapel Lane.
Dumbers Figure of 8 (72km / 45 miles)
The hills of note include a gentle climb from Alderley Edge to Mottram and onwards up Oak Road, a fairly long (but reasonably shallow) climb along Hollin Lane from Sutton that reaches 1060' above sea level followed by a short stint up the A54 to the high-point of 1122'. The next 10 miles are either down or flat bringing you to the next hill: Birtles Lane, from here you descend again into Prestbury and climb via Oak Lane through Kerridge before reaching Pott Shrigley. The route then descends to Adlington and returns straight back into Wilmslow.
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