The Backford Beat

Chester Cycling Campaign’s seven Family Cycle Rides have been planned with all members of the family in mind. The routes use quiet lanes, established cycle routes and canal tow paths wherever possible, except for some occasional short sections on busier roads. All rides are between 15 and 20 miles in length, and are suitable for families with children, either riding their own bikes or riding on a trailer bike. Some rides include short off-road sections. The directions for these rides also include a description of a minor road alternative.

The Backford Beat explores the countryside to the north of Chester. It follows the canal towpath north to Caughall, and takes in Stanney Woods Country Park. The 26 km (17 mile) route uses National Cycle Network Route 56 and the canal towpath to return to the city.

Route Grading: (A) Quiet Route – This is a route with long stretches of off-road cycleway.

Click on the link below to open or view a PDF leaflet of the ride, or use the RouteYou link to print a colour map of the route.

Download “The Backford Beat” Ride Leaflet

The Hockenhull Hobble

Chester Cycling Campaign’s seven Family Cycle Rides have been planned with all members of the family in mind. The routes use quiet lanes, established cycle routes and canal tow paths wherever possible, except for some occasional short sections on busier roads. All rides are between 15 and 20 miles in length, and are suitable for families with children, either riding their own bikes or riding on a trailer bike. Some rides include short off-road sections. The directions for these rides also include a description of a minor road alternative.

The Hockenhull Hobble explores the countryside to the SE of Chester, including Christleton Pond, Bruera and Hargarave villages, and Hockenhull Platts. The route is 33 km (20 miles) long. There is a short off-road section over the interesting ‘Roman Bridges’, a series of pack horse bridges along a wooded path.

Route Grading: (B) Some Traffic – This is a route on quiet lanes where some light traffic is to be expected.

Click on the link below to open or view a PDF leaflet of the ride, or use the RouteYou link to print a colour map of the route.

Download “The Hockenhull Hobble” Ride Leaflet

The Capenhurst Caper

Chester Cycling Campaign’s seven Family Cycle Rides have been planned with all members of the family in mind. The routes use quiet lanes, established cycle routes and canal tow paths wherever possible, except for some occasional short sections on busier roads. All rides are between 15 and 20 miles in length, and are suitable for families with children, either riding their own bikes or riding on a trailer bike. Some rides include short off-road sections. The directions for these rides also include a description of a minor road alternative.

The Capenhurst Caper is a 26 km (18 mile) route, exploring the countryside to the north of Chester. It makes use of National Cycle Routes 56 and 5, as well as quiet country lanes and canal towpaths. There is a short section on a bridleway which has a surface suitable for bicycles. Highly recommended route.

Route Grading: (B) Some Traffic – This is a route on quiet lanes where some light traffic is to be expected.

Click on the link below to open or view a PDF leaflet of the ride, or use the RouteYou link to print a colour map of the route.

Download “The Capenhurst Caper” Ride Leaflet

The Manley Meander

Chester Cycling Campaign’s seven Family Cycle Rides have been planned with all members of the family in mind. The routes use quiet lanes, established cycle routes and canal tow paths wherever possible, except for some occasional short sections on busier roads. All rides are between 15 and 20 miles in length, and are suitable for families with children, either riding their own bikes or riding on a trailer bike. Some rides include short off-road sections. The directions for these rides also include a description of a minor road alternative.

The Manley Meander explores the countryside to the east of Chester, taking in places of interest such as Christleton Pond and the Manley Windsurfing Centre. The route is 27 km (17 miles) in length, with no off-road sections.

Route Grading: (C) Care Required – This is a route which has short sections on roads which may be busier at times.

Click on the link below to open or view a PDF leaflet of the ride, or use the RouteYou link to print a colour map of the route.

Download “The Manley Meander” Ride Leaflet

The Dodleston Doddle

Chester Cycling Campaign’s seven Family Cycle Rides have been planned with all members of the family in mind. The routes use quiet lanes, established cycle routes and canal tow paths wherever possible, except for some occasional short sections on busier roads. All rides are between 15 and 20 miles in length, and are suitable for families with children, either riding their own bikes or riding on a trailer bike. Some rides include short off-road sections. The directions for these rides also include a description of a minor road alternative.

The Dodleston Doddle explores a mixture of countryside and more urban areas to the south-west of Chester, including Dodleston, Gorstella, Lower Kinnerton and Westminster Park. The route is 26 km (16 miles) in length with no off-road sections.

Route Grading: (C) Care Required – This is a route which has short sections on roads which may be busier at times.

Click on the link below to open or view a PDF leaflet of the ride, or use the RouteYou link to print a colour map of the route.

Download “The Dodleston Doddle” Ride Leaflet

The Zoo Circular

Chester Cycling Campaign’s seven Family Cycle Rides have been planned with all members of the family in mind. The routes use quiet lanes, established cycle routes and canal tow paths wherever possible, except for some occasional short sections on busier roads. All rides are between 15 and 20 miles in length, and are suitable for families with children, either riding their own bikes or riding on a trailer bike. Some rides include short off-road sections. The directions for these rides also include a description of a minor road alternative.

The Chester Zoo Circular is a short, circular route of 13 kms (8 miles). It follows the canal towpath for the outward journey to Chester Zoo, and then follows NCN Route 56 and NCN Route 5 through Newton back to the starting point at Northgate Arena.

Route Grading: (A) Quiet Route – This is a route with long stretches of off-road cycleway.

Click on the link below to open or view a PDF leaflet of the ride, or use the RouteYou link to print a colour map of the route.

Download “The Zoo Circular” Ride Leaflet

River Dee Round

Chester Cycling Campaign’s seven Family Cycle Rides have been planned with all members of the family in mind. The routes use quiet lanes, established cycle routes and canal tow paths wherever possible, except for some occasional short sections on busier roads. All rides are between 15 and 20 miles in length, and are suitable for families with children, either riding their own bikes or riding on a trailer bike. Some rides include short off-road sections. The directions for these rides also include a description of a minor road alternative.

The River Dee round is a safe, completely traffic-free loop of 24 kms (15 miles). It follows the National Cycle Network Route 5 to the west of the city as far as Hawarden Bridge, returning via the riverside cycle path along the River Dee.

Route Grading: (A) Quiet Route – This is a route with long stretches of off-road cycleway.

Click on the link below to open or view a PDF leaflet of the ride, or use the RouteYou link to print a colour map of the route.

Download “The River Dee Round” Ride Leaflet