A few tips

by Alec & Val Scaresbrook

Courtesy to other road users

Cheshire motorists are generally considerate of cyclists, so please return the compliment by being considerate too, especially at busy times and on narrow lanes. We may have all day, but not everyone else is so lucky. Although it's our right to ride two abreast, it's easy enough to cycle in single file to avoid holding people up. And those milk tanker drivers have a lot of farms to visit, so consider pulling in to let them get by. It's more relaxing than having them breathing down your neck too.

The lanes, bridleways and tracks are also popular with horseriders who are unlikely to hear your approach, so a shouted 'Good morning/afternoon.' or 'Bike coming up!' in advance is a much appreciated warning. Horses are unpredictable creatures, so it's best not to sidle past them, but give them a wide berth once the rider has acknowledged you and waved you by.

Walkers with their chatter and rustly waterproofs are also unlikely to hear you (or they could be hard of hearing) so a similar warning avoids giving them a shock as you whizz by, and reduces the risk of them stepping out in front of you at the last minute (although the same can't be said of accompanying dogs and children!).

Blackspots

A34 south of Congleton - a fast road, with central bollards that reduce overtaking space, so you might like to use the pavement here. It's quite a narrow strip in a wide verge, but rarely used by pedestrians so pushing your bike along here is unlikely to inconvenience anyone. Turning right to Astbury can also be hair-raising during busy periods, so it's prudent to dismount and wait for the right moment here.

Route to the Wirral, North of Chester - our preferred route to and from the Wirral is a figure of eight from Chester along the canal to get onto the A41, then first left into Station Road, towards Willaston then Neston, then south down the steep hill to Ness, before leaving the loop to head for Ellesmere Port and the canal towpath to Stoak, the country lane to Mickle Trafford and onwards to Delamere Forest.

This is preferable to the reverse route because joining the A41 is distinctly hazardous, even though you can always walk along the pavement down to the canal. It's crossing Station Road for access to the pavement that's dodgy as motorists whizzing up the left filter lane cannot see you.

Crime

Cheshire is not known for its crime rate, but the usual sensible precautions apply.

And the weather tomorrow will be...

The prevailing wet westerly winds shed most of their load on the hills of North Wales, leaving the sun to shine over the Cheshire plain. But the eastern hills get their fair share of weather typical of high ground, so rain, cold winds and low cloud are quite likely. Watch out for frosty conditions, or even snow, in late autumn, winter and spring too.