Practicalities

by Alec & Val Scaresbrook

Finding your way

The route is signposted in both directions, but signs are attached to the nearest existing road sign, which means they are not always exactly on the junction or that obvious. So you have to develop a sixth sense for them. Also there are still a few signs dating back to the original route, which can be confusing.

And...where the route is shared by several cycleways (notably the 55 on the Wirral), all reference to the 70 can disappear for a while.

Which means it's always useful to have a map to hand. In any case, a map is useful for overall planning and detours on the day.

We usually tear out the relevant pages from a spiral-bound motoring atlas based on Ordnance Survey mapping. The scale (1:190,000 or 3 miles to 1 inch) is just right for finding routes, railway stations and tourist attractions. The other advantage is cost and convenience - these atlases are cheap, produced annually so are up to date, and a couple of pages are easy to fold up and put in a pocket for quick reference.

Smaller scale (1: 50 000 or 1.25 inches to 1 mile) Ordnance Survey Landranger maps are more detailed with off-road routes and are marked with some cycle routes, but there are a few mistakes - nothing too major though. You'll need number 117 for the west side of the county; 118 for the east; 109 for the north.

If scenery is not enough, then Cheshire offers other interests as you cycle through.

Into bird-watching? Make sure you take in some of the meres and flashes (where salt-mined ground has subsided and flooded).

Astronomy? Home in on Jodrell Bank's famous radio dish, and the little observatory in Newchapel, just over the border in Staffordshire.

Aircraft? Find the viewing park by Manchester Airport.

Historic buildings and glorious gardens? Arm yourself with tourist office information on publicly and privately owned properties, including those taking part in the fund-raising National Gardens Scheme.

We've discovered on our rides that Cheshire is furnished with facilities to suit the hungriest and thirstiest (and sometimes the muddiest) of cyclists.

The competition keeps prices down and good value up, and in this part of the world, portions aren't stinted.

There's a profusion of pubs, most of which serve meals, tea and coffee, with the more isolated ones almost guaranteed to offer food (although there may be a non-food day when the kitchen staff are off).

There's usually at least one cafe in each town, in the larger supermarkets, and at most of the houses and gardens open to the public. And in such a well-heeled county there are garden centres galore, many with tea-rooms boasting a menu to rival restaurants. (See the Cycleway map for more information).

If it's take away fast food you want, then fish and chip shops are ubiquitous in towns and larger villages, or you may come across a mobile unit. Just follow your nose, or ask a local.

Even petrol stations often have a mini supermarket, or at least sell sweets, sandwiches and drinks, if you don't mind a detour onto a main road.

For self-caterers, most supermarkets have extended opening hours, so you should be able to shop daily between 8am and 8pm, although Sunday opening times may be 10am-4pm. Many supermarkets (including the Co-op) are open on bank holidays (i.e. public holidays), except for the Christmas period.

Generally villages only support one shop/post office that stocks a small range of supplies that locals might need between supermarket runs. The post office section may be open at different times to the shop. If early closing days (i.e. closing from around 12 to 1pm) are observed, these are usually Saturday and a mid-week day. Most shops are closed on Sundays.

Let the train take the strain

Plenty of railway stations across the county provide opportunities for short cuts, in addition to access to and from other parts of the country, although the services aren't always as frequent outside commuter times as we'd like.

Outside peak hours, putting bikes on trains is usually no problem - a smile always helps here.

Timetables are available locally from railway stations, tourist information centres, libraries and also online. To speak to someone who knows the area and its transport, call Cheshire Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 (calls from landlines cost 10p per minute), 8.00-20.00, 7 days per week.