A long-running winter Randonnee, starting and finishing at Cheadle Village Hall (near Stockport), conveniently close to M60 junction 3 and with free parking close by (last time we checked!). Or you could arrive by train at Stockport.
Toilets and tea or coffee at the start, hot soup at the finish, a flat ride through the Cheshire and Shropshire Plains - what more could you ask for? Well, good weather I suppose. Bring your waterproofs and warm clothing just in case, and don't forget your lights.
From the start, the route heads south through Holmes Chapel, Alsager, Woore to on the way to Newport. There are several useful cafes in Newport, including a Costa, Waitrose supermarket and the Garden Centre on the bypass. Waitrose Supermarket even offers to 'carry your shopping back to the car' although whether that works if your car is parked in Cheadle is somewhat doubtful.
Passing Sandbach Heath church
on the Newport 200 (photo: Francis Cooke)
The return is through Loggerheads, Audlem (where there are several cafes if you need one), Wrenbury and Middlewich (which has a Starbucks if you're ready for another coffee).