Time to kick off this year's thread methinks. I'll flesh it all out over the next week or so but the basic idea will follow what was a pretty successful formula over the past couple of editions. I'm running it a bit later than previous years as my regular slot has already gone to another ride and I don't want to create a clash. I'm also hoping that maybe mid May weather may be
even better than last year's
1) 8am start Manchester Piccadilly railway station
2) Coffee/Snack stop Devonshire Bakery, Weaverham (I thought that this was better than the Country Park we went to in 2015 but happy to listen to other views on this)
3) Lunch stop Eureka café, Wirral
4) Finish in Llandudno sometime about 6pm depending on individual's speed, weather etc. Fish and Chips available
There will be official "start" and "finish" points at Manchester, Altrincham, Eureka and Llandudno so participants can mix and match to suit themselves. You don't have to do the whole ride if it doesn't suit
In fact, the last 30 miles or so are dotted with train stations so if you're a bit weary then it's very easy to pop on a train and beat the rush for fish and chips
I'll offer the flatter and hillier routes again. The flat one will be the same as last year. The hillier one I've been playing around with and I can make it rather less hilly in return for about another couple of miles on the A548 which I think is a reasonable trade off. I'll play around and recce the hillier option to see if I can come up with anything better
As previously, stop over in Llandudno for those that fancy it. Regular trains from nearby Llandudno Junction to all points of the compass.
For those that haven't done the ride before what you get is about 10 miles of urban/suburban flat cycling to Altrincham. Then you have about 40 miles of very pleasant country lanes through Cheshire which are rolling at absolute worst. After lunch if you take the flat route it's about 45 very flat miles with the final 20 or so right next to the sea. The hillier alternative is another 50 miles, also last 20 next to the sea but there is, as the name suggests, a hillier middle bit to get off a fairly busy A road
I will run an "Expressions of Interest" list in post#1 so anyone who maybe fancies it can be added there. I don't need a firm commitment until a couple of days before.
No insurance required. No kit stipulations (such as helmets). It's around 100 miles all in at a fairly gentle pace and in some lovely scenery and some nice stop offs along the way. Everyone and anyone (including friends of CCers) welcome
Expressions of Interest
@Freds Dad
@Kestevan
@Rickshaw Phil
@Bazzer
@straas
@McWobble
@Crackle +1
@doughnut +1
@wanda2010
@Buck +1
@gavroche
@wormo
@si_c
