See That My Bike's Kept Clean (Gravel)

A gravel event attempting to join together a variety of roads, bridleways, canal towpaths, forest tracks roads and lanes etc with a variety of surfaces from sealed tarmac, loose gravel, hard packed gravel, mud, grass etc. into an interesting route. Over a third of the route is off-road so you will need a suitable bike (I would recommend a minimum of 35mm and some tread pattern for anything outside of the middle of a long, hot, dry spell)! A minimum of 13.5km/h allows a slight increase in time allowance to deal with the slower off-road sections but should keep it a challenge for most riders. Out of Crewe, on a traffic free cycle path and then onto a bridleway then back on the road until we get to the lovely Brereton Heath Nature Reserve and a restricted byway to Swettenham to get to our first control at Lower Withington (no shops available). From her my favourite section of Lauren's Ride, a short section of bridleway. From here it is mainly roads until we get to Marbury Park. Here we follow tracks to the Anderton Boat Lift, the second control of the day which has a cafe and shop (check opening times). From here traffic free paths now along the side of the River Weaver before crossing over to pick up the delightful Whitegate Way. Next up some more bridleways and a wonderful forest trail section get you to the garage at Helsby, our third control.. Back on the road for a bit until you get to Mickle Trafford where we do about 3km on the Chester Millenium Cycle path and then over to the Shropshire Union Canal which gets us to Christleton, our final control and last real chance to pick up any food at the village store (check opening times). The next off road section comes at the delightful medieval pack horse bridges at Hockenhull Platts, a nice short bridleway along the A51, a tricky little section around Tirley Garth lovely wormhole byway at Cotebrook and a final foray through a forest that brings us out at Oulton Park where we get back on tarmac for the remainder of our journey. Arriving back where we started there is a Tesco Express and 24hr McDonalds nearby for a post ride refuel. NOTE 1: You must ride to your abilities and the course conditions NOTE 2 at approx 37km you need to dismount and use the pedestrian crossing to cross the A556 NOTE 3. at approx 50km please observe the 'Cyclists Dismount' sign in front of Northwich Rowing Club. NOTE 4: The three medieval cobbled packhorse bridges at Hockenhull Platts (approx 99km) can be slippery in the wet. NO route sheet provided (download your own from RidewithGPS or dowload the .csv file and format your own, alternatively tape a map with the route highlighted if you are a non GPS rider or write your own notes). GPX file available, E-Brevet only (or upload you GPX track if the E-Brevet doesn't work on the day Route can be seen here - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45110616