Road · United Kingdom
Northwich – Kelsall
A hilly 52 km road cycling loop from Comberbach, England through Anderton, Northwich and Greenbank, with 417 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 51.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 417 m
- Riding time
- 2–2½ hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Comberbach
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 417 m
- 52 km
Route description
- Comberbach
- Anderton
- Northwich
- Greenbank
- Whitegate
- Willington
- Hatchmere
- Norley
- Acton Bridge
- Comberbach
Starting at Comberbach, the route progresses to Anderton, Barnton, and Northwich by 4 km. It continues through Winnington, Greenbank, and Hartford, moving on to Whitegate by just over 10 km. The terrain varies with minor roads covering 76% of the 52 km loop and main roads accounting for around 11%. The surface is mostly paved (97%), with small stretches of gravel and unpaved paths. Climbing is concentrated mostly in the middle section between Cotebrook and Kelsall, with two climbs around 2.4-2.5 km long, gaining 82 m and 87 m respectively, reaching high points around 153-156 m. A shorter climb near the end of 1.6 km gains 42 m. The highest elevation of 164 m occurs around 24.4 km, and the lowest at 9 m near 44.4 km. The longest descent spans 2.8 km with a drop of 90 m. Along the route, there are places to refuel with cafés and pubs located mostly within the first 30 km, including Station House Cafe at 12.9 km and Citrus cafe near 28.9 km. There is a 6.8 km stretch without café, shop, or water between 30.2 and 37 km. Several bailout points with stations are available at Hartford (7.4 km), Mouldsworth (33.4 km), and Acton Bridge (42.9 km). Toilets and shops are scattered along the way, including supermarkets at 6.9 km and 28.9 km. The named Ashton Road is ridden for 3 km.
Why ride this route?
- The most climbing per kilometre of the 5 rides from Comberbach: 8 m per km.
Highlights
- Climb near Cotebrook gaining 82 m
- Highest point at 164 m near 24.4 km
- Village of Kelsall at 29.2 km
- Longest descent 2.8 km dropping 90 m from 31.2 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 21.3 km | 2.5 km · 82 m · 3.3 % · max 5 % | 156 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.3 km | 2.4 km · 87 m · 3.6 % · max 5.7 % | 153 m |
| Unnamed climb | 44.6 km | 1.6 km · 42 m · 2.6 % · max 4.3 % | 53 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 6.6 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 76% minor road · 11% main road · 7% quiet street · 3% path · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 6.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 12.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Ashton Road (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 23% climbing · 18% descending · 59% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.7 km over 5%
- Longest descent
- 2.8 km from 31.2 km, dropping 90 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 37 cafés and restaurants, 7 shops, 1 petrol station, 7 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.2 kmToilets · 300 m off route
- 2.7 kmStanley Arms · pub · 30 m off route
- 6.8 kmThe Red Lion Inn · pub · 40 m off route
- 6.8 kmHartford Pharmacy · pharmacy · 40 m off route
- 6.9 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 70 m off route
- 7.7 kmPetrol station · 60 m off route
- 11.3 kmLeadout Cycles · bike shop · 430 m off route
- 12.9 kmStation House Cafe · café · on the route
- 13.1 kmMale · toilets · on the route
- 17.4 kmThe Village Shop · convenience store · 70 m off route
- 20.5 kmCotebrook Shire Horse Centre · café · 70 m off route
- 20.5 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 28.9 kmCitrus · café · on the route
- 28.9 kmThe Co-operative Food · supermarket · 30 m off route
- 28.9 kmHolmes Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 37 kmFortune Palace · restaurant · 40 m off route
- 42.9 kmHazel Pear Inn · pub · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 7.4 km — Hartford (station), 100 m off route
- 33.4 km — Mouldsworth (station), 1.0 km off route
- 42.9 km — Acton Bridge (station), 70 m off route
Worth a stop
- 2.7 km — Anderton Boat Lift (attraction)
- 20.2 km — Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre (attraction)
- 44.4 km — Weaver Valley Cruises (attraction)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Spinner & Bergamot (80 m)
Know before you go
- 6.8 km without café, shop or water from km 30.2 to 37
- 6.6 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 12.5 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- 0.7 km of gradient over 5%