• you will act responsibly and adhere to the rules of the road and countryside;
• you acknowledge that it is your responsibility to ensure that any manoeuvre that you make is carried out safely;
• you confirm that you are fit and healthy enough to participate in the ride;
• you confirm that you have read and are aware of the Wirral Cycling Group Risk Assessment policy
• your cycle is in a safe, legal and roadworthy condition (see GCN’s 6 Checks Before You Ride);
• you have read Cycling UK’s advice on riding in a group;
• you understand that Cycling UK or Wirral Cycling Group cannot be held responsible for any personal injury, accident, loss, damage or public liability during the ride.

On the day we suggest that you should bring:

• wet weather wear and warm clothing
• a spare inner tube, a pump  and tyre levers
• some food and drink to keep you going
• money for emergencies (and possibly lunch)
• a mobile phone

and that you should carry details of your address and an emergency telephone contact number, just in case.

Thank you to John H – for this challenging route.

This is a Grade B ride

Ellesmere Port Station to Walton Hall and Pier Head. The ride starts from outside Ellesmere Port Station takes about six hours including lunch and stops.

Route Out Around the Mersey Estuary, mostly on tarmac roads and good cycle paths, but with about 5 miles on reasonable compacted gravel trails (similar to the Wirral Way) and about a mile and a half over cobbles and stone slabs as we approach the Pier Head along the old docks.

Distance The route is just over 48 miles, grade B, and mostly flat, but with a few steep hills at Helsby, up from Sutton Weaver, and up past Daresbury; plus a walk down about 50 wooden steps where the Ditton Brook enters the Mersey.

Meeting We will be meeting at Ellesmere Port Station at 09:45 for a 10:00 depart.

Possible obstacles We will take extra care when crossing any main roads or major junctions we will look for pedestrian crossings / islands and traffic lights.

Outward Route Click here to see the route on Komoot: Ellesmere Port to Liverpool Pier head or here to see it on Garmin Connect Ellesmere Port to Liverpool Pier head

LunchThere is a short break by the Weaver Navigation Canal just after Frodsham, and then lunch at Walton Hall Gardens (at about 24 miles) where there is a cafe, plus plenty of places in the grounds for you to sit and eat your own sandwiches.  Also going to have a stop at Spike Island on the return leg, so it’s a good idea to bring two snacks.

Hazards Riding a bicycle on public roads is inherently a risk, from busy traffic, you can mitigate those risks by being aware of other road users and anticipating their likely actions. If you have not done so then please do read the WCG guide and Risk Assessment policy

After Lunch The route continues over the River Mersey and down towards Liverpool Pier Head. The ride will finish at the Pierhead in Liverpool and people will be able to get a train to the Wirral from James Street or use the Mersey Ferry to get over to Woodside.

Trains On the outward leg there a number of Merseyrail stations that will take you to Wirral I would advise you to bring money for both your lunch and the train should you choose to use them.

Questions via email please to Peter Williams