Cheshire Cycleway Day 5 was the final day of our tour, and it would be one long-lasting in the memory (more on that later). This final day would see us cycling from Astbury, around Macclesfield, on to Alderley Edge, before cycling home. It was also going to be the hilliest and most challenging day.

So it was that we left the Egerton Arms Country Inn having enjoyed a hearty breakfast.

After having enjoyed decent weather so far, our luck had run out, and it was forecast to be a showery day.

Our route began by skirting around the edge of Congleton.

After which we headed for Somerton Booth and Marton.

Next, we cycled around Gawsworth.

Before crossing the Macclesfield Canal and the A523 at Oakgrove.

Now the climbing properly began as we made our way towards Sutton Lane End.

The major climb of the day was up Ridge Hill.

Generally, this a long steady climb with a couple of steeper sections.

However, when Regional Route 70 passes the Hanging Gate Inn and turns left into Nabbs Road, the gradient kicks up again and becomes truly sharp.

Rest is required at the top.

Thankfully, the panorama at the top is magnificent.

Andy and I had cycled much of this route in the opposite direction a couple of years ago on our Regional Route 70 ride.

We then dropped down into Wildboarclough.

At weekends this is a popular tourist spot. However, we were blessed with tranquillity thanks to it being midweek and the road being temporarily closed to motorised vehicles.

The next climb took us up to Buxton New Road.

From there, we cycled down towards Lamaload Reservoir along Hooleyhey Lane.

Unfortunately, it was at this point that things went horribly wrong! 🙁

As the above video shows, while cycling down the hill and taking a slight bend in the wet, my bicycle whipped from under me and I came down heavily.

It was a heavy enough thud to break my helmet.

After a little while, I had recovered enough to get back on my bike and continue.

 

I limped up the last major climb on our Cheshire Cycleway route. This took us up Ewrin Lane.

Then it was downhill all the way into Bollington.

However, as we cycled through Bollington looking for somewhere to eat, I quickly realised I was struggling and wouldn’t be able to cycle further. We managed to limp to the Cock & Pheasant. By now I could hardly walk. So we abandoned the tour 6 miles from the end of the Cheshire Cycleway***.

Until the last few miles, Cheshire Cycleway Day 5 had been an enjoyable and challenging day of cycling, in spite of the rain. It would have been a fitting end to the tour.

You can view our route from Astbury to Bollington below:

*** FOOTNOTE – Following the tour abandonment, I was taken to Stockport A&E. There it was discovered I had fractured my hip and an operation duly followed. As I write this blog post I am recovering well given the circumstances. Additionally, we have all agreed we must cycle those last 6 miles as soon as I am back on my bike!