This ride 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 (now over 7kg!!) passenger in a rucksack. The ride counts towards the
PARTY award
award . The eagle eyed amongst you may have spotted Hermie's paw holding the PARTY balloons!
The route is intended as a gentle introduction or early season opener. Covering approximately 58km (36 miles) from the start at Poynton it takes in a surprising number of points of interest, including two optional
British Cycle Quest
checkpoints. ou have plenty of time for a leisurely ride, but we'd like to see you back before it goes dark (about 6 o'clock).
Our first control at Nether Alderley.
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We start from Poynton Methodist Church, which has a large car park (check Cheshire East website for restrictions, at the time of writing parking is free on a Sunday, maximum stay 10 hours). Better still, you could arrive by train, either to Poynton or Hazel Grove stations.
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.
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 optional 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. This is a free control and if using the brevet card a receipt is required for proof of passage.
Hermie, not at all impressed by the
Elizabeth Gaskell Memorial Tower in Knutsford
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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 optional 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)!!!
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