Chorlton - Chester (April 2024)

Generally great route, with good surfaces and lovely scenery along the Cheshire Way. Before that, the route along the canal past Sale and along the old Lymn railway is pleasant, if awkward avoiding pedestrians. Mostly quiet roads, except for Delamere Forest (day trippers) and Acton Bridge (busy main road). Train back from Chester had plenty of bike spaces.

Chorlton - Airport - Mobberley Loop (April 2024)

Short version: the Cheshire Cycleway saved the day.

The first part of the route - from Chorlton up until the Cheshire Cycleway (Chorley) - was poor: busy roads, non-cycle-friendly gates, poor surfaces, muddy / bumpy paths - bridleways - being classed as cycle routes, etc. The Cheshire Cycleway (from Chorley) is great though: lovely quiet roads, good surface, lots of beautiful villages and scenery. Prior to this the route was called something like "Loraine's Run", most of which was poor quality as described earlier - shame, as it sounds like it's dedicated to a cyclist. Before that, the route to the airport - 56 / 85 - is similarly difficult to use and fragmented in many places. Going back to Chorlton, the old Lymn railway cycleway is beautiful, and the cycle up along canal through is pretty pleasant - aside from having to weave around people every few seconds - especially on a warm(er) sunny day.