Hermie's Imagination is our latest addition to the Peak Audax calendar. It was inspired by Herman the dachshund's love of cycling, and his servant acknowledging that 200km randonnees were likely a thing of the past whilst carrying a 6.5kg passenger in a rucksack.
The route is intended as a gentle introduction or early season opener. Covering 58km (36 miles) from the start at Poynton it takes in a surprising number of points of interest, including two
British Cycle Quest
checkpoints. You have plenty of time for a leisurely ride, but we'd like to see you back before it goes dark (about 6 o'clock).
We start from Poynton Methodist Church, which has a large free car park. Better still, you could arrive by train. The 11:27 from Piccadilly arrives in good time and bicycle reservations are not required. If there's a scramble for bike places, trains also serve nearby Hazel Grove station.
Our first control at Nether Alderley.
|
The route heads out from Poynton towards Alderley Edge, the first control being the Grade II listed Standing Cross at Nether Alderley, once used as a preaching cross and a village meeting place in medieval England and believed to be one of less than 2,000 still remaining (and one of only a small number on their original site).
The ride then follows some beautiful cheshire lanes before reaching the next control at the Tree of Imagination in Lower Peover, created to 'delight and inspire children and all those who are still young at heart'. It is worth taking some time to note the intricate detail, a canon below the roof, and various tiny doors and windows offering a glimpse inside, including a little staircase along with a shelf holding a number of books.
Should you so wish, you could take a short detour off the route to visit St Oswald's Church founded in 1269 and the beautiful Bells of Peover Inn where, over lunch, Generals Patton and Eisenhower planned the D-Day invasion of Normandy. It was presumably a rather a long lunch.
Hermie, not at all interested by the
Elizabeth Gaskell Memorial Tower in Knutsford
|
The next control is the historic town of Knutsford, the inspiration for Elizabeth Gaskell's 'Cranford'. Richard Harding Watt's memorial tower to Elizabeth Gaskell in King Street, built in 1907/8, is the first of the ride's two British Cycle Quest checkpoints. Notice the narrow pavements, a throwback to Lady Jane Stanley, who bequeathed funds to maintain the footpaths on King Street, on the proviso they were only one stone wide, to deter romantic couples walking arm in arm!You will find many cafes and shops here where you can refuel ready for the rest of the ride.
The route then passes through Mobberley (the second largest parish in England and former home of mountain climber George Mallory) to the edge of Wilmslow and on to Styal.The entrance to Quarry Bank Mill is on the route, and, time permitting it is worth a detour to view the impressive water powered mill and model village, established for workers at the mill. Shortly after the entrance to Quarry Bank Mill is the second British Cycle Quest checkpoint, at the row of mill workers cottages at Holts Lane.
There's just a short trip now back to Poynton village where a warm welcome and tea and cakes await you (and a lovely badge)!!!
|
