2020 has been an extraordinary year. The coronavirus pandemic that has defined it has played havoc with our calendars and planning. It resulted in the postponement of our Welsh Borders tour until next year.  Fortunately, we have been able to quickly organise a couple of smaller alternative autumn cycle tours – the Bay Cycle Way, and this one.  Cheshire Cycleway Day 1 would see us cycle to Little Leigh.

The advantage of this Cheshire Cycleway tour was that we could cycle to the start

After Andy S met us at our home we cycled on to Blossoms Lane and met up with Neil.

From there, we cycled over to Alderley Edge.

The Cheshire Cycleway is a circular route and we joined it at the corner of Hare Hill, or where Oak Road meets Chelford Road. Soon we were on our way.

The Cheshire Cycleway forms regional cycle route 70.

At Alderley Edge, we turned into Artists Lane.

Then made our way over to Great Warford and Mobberley.

From Mobberley, we cycled through Ashley and Rostherne on our way towards High Legh.

We stopped at High Legh Garden Centre for some lunch.

After lunch, we set off for Great Budworth.

One of the most interesting aspects of our first day was that we had cycled most of these lanes before, but always as sections of different routes. It was interesting, therefore, to see how the lanes joined up to form the Cycleway.

Great Budworth is always a picturesque little village to cycle through.

After Great Budworth, we cycled through Comberbach, and we were then soon in the outskirts of Little Leigh.

We were staying at the Hollybush Inn.

After locating our rooms and settling in, in the evening we headed down the road for an evening meal at the Leigh Arms. This proved an inspired choice, and we all thoroughly enjoyed a well-earnt meal after the first day of cycling on the tour.

Overall, today Sarah and I had cycled just over 40 miles, approximately three-quarters of which had been along the Cheshire Cycleway itself. We had enjoyed an excellent start to the tour. Tomorrow, we are off to Chester.

You can view our Cheshire Cycleway Day 1 from Alderley Edge to Little Leigh (including our route from Bramhall) below: