NCN 56/70/5 on the Wirral & Birkenhead. What are they like?

[400bhp]

Peeps

I'm thinking of doing a little off road jaunt and have the makings of a route here:

http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=539189

I'm familiar with the Trans Pennine Trail (NCN62) but am unfamiliar with the loop I have that veers off the TPT and takes in Liverpool/Wirrall/Birkenhead/Runcorn etc.

I'd be grateful for any feedback people have from actually using these routes. (accesability/terrain/general location/alternatives).

I'm a little concerned of the route through Runcorn and back over the Runcorn Bridge (is there actually an off road cycle path along it?).

We'd generally be on dirt path bikes, but not full off road mountain bike suspension jobbies.

Thanks in advance.

 

[aces_up1504]

As part of the Liverpool Beginners ride, we took in the Liverpool Loop Line, the section from Halewood-Gateacre which is pretty good and will no pose any problems. Also the section through Halewood door stoop green is ok as it only a very small section but paved.

Personally i would avoid Speke Blvd, so would either take Ramsbrook lane upto higher lane or continue along Hale road to Weston Avenue then back up.

I think one of the posts on the Liverpool Beginners ride put a picture of some steps and comments about the trail along the mersey.

 

[400bhp]

As part of the Liverpool Beginners ride, we took in the Liverpool Loop Line, the section from Halewood-Gateacre which is pretty good and will no pose any problems. Also the section through Halewood door stoop green is ok as it only a very small section but paved.

Personally i would avoid Speke Blvd, so would either take Ramsbrook lane upto higher lane or continue along Hale road to Weston Avenue then back up.

I think one of the posts on the Liverpool Beginners ride put a picture of some steps and comments about the trail along the mersey.

Sorry, but you didn't read my post. I am well aware of the TPT section.

 

[headcoat]

The Wirral side should be no problem, I have done it a few times on a hybrid. Only one section which was muddy and waterlogged but that was due to rain the previous days.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I did the Elton to Frodsham section on my road bike over Christmas. It was not one I will repeat on that bike, but it handled it well.
some piccies of it can be found here https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=8S&page_id=310917&v=1e

 

[400bhp]

I did the Elton to Frodsham section on my road bike over Christmas. It was not one I will repeat on that bike, but it handled it well.
some piccies of it can be found here https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=8S&page_id=310917&v=1e

The pic of the power station in the background: I've actually done that bit of the NCN5 on a road bike too

 

[dodgy]

Let's see if I can help, I know the local area pretty well by bike.

1. The section between Frodsham and Ince on Marsh LAne is rough going, but I've done it slowly on a road bike with 23mm tyres.
2. You're joining the Wirral Way between Heath Lane and Neston, it can be quite muddy if it's been wet
3. You're in the area, so why not visit Eureka Cafe at Two Mills? Requires a small diversion but worth it if you haven't been before
4. After Parkgate, you head inland. I would suggest staying near the coast and go through the nice villages and get back onto the Wirral Way to West Kirby
5. After WK, you could join the coastal path all the way to the Mersey Ferries. Traffic free, and snack bars etc a plenty in New Brighton

If it helps, I could draw up a suggested route taking in the quietest most picturesque route.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I can second the Eureka cafe, been there once with the local club I was considering joining. one of the few places I have been able to sit down and a) confidentally leave an unlocked bike outside, b) use the mens toilets because the only female toilet was in use and ride was leaving... no-one batted an eyelid and more importantly c) actually eat something there atht I was not allergic to and be able to afford it!

 

[400bhp]

Thanks for the help. Been to Eureka many times and will often come back via Oil Sites Rd (lovely and smooth).

 

[400bhp]

Let's see if I can help, I know the local area pretty well by bike.

1. The section between Frodsham and Ince on Marsh LAne is rough going, but I've done it slowly on a road bike with 23mm tyres.
2. You're joining the Wirral Way between Heath Lane and Neston, it can be quite muddy if it's been wet
3. You're in the area, so why not visit Eureka Cafe at Two Mills? Requires a small diversion but worth it if you haven't been before
4. After Parkgate, you head inland. I would suggest staying near the coast and go through the nice villages and get back onto the Wirral Way to West Kirby
5. After WK, you could join the coastal path all the way to the Mersey Ferries. Traffic free, and snack bars etc a plenty in New Brighton

If it helps, I could draw up a suggested route taking in the quietest most picturesque route.

Thank you and yes it would be very helpful.

 

[BikeLiker]

I've found the best route through Runcorn is this one: http://ridewithgps.com/users/42213/routes.The bit showing on the Rocksavage expressway is on a poorly surfaced and moss covered cycle path parallel to the road. There are traffic free routes through the town but they are hard to follow and , strangely, involve cycle paths with steps!? I quite enjoy crossing the bridge on the road but there is a cycle path on the East (left hand) side accessible from the Bank St / Cholmondley St about 300m from the TPT. From the directions I assume you're doing the route clockwise so you need to reverse Dodgy's advice, which is worth following.

 

[dodgy]

Here you go, I've drawn a route that optimises teh amount of time on either quiet or preferably traffic free routes. Using the Greenway from Guilden Sutton which passes through Chester completely 100% car free. It then emerges at Deeside where you can join the new Burton Greenway which gets you onto Wirral at Neston. AFter that you join the Wirral Way, that gets you to the Promenade route (fast, well surfaced, mostly traffic free) all the way to the Mersey Ferry Terminal(s).

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2497494

I've also put some POIs on the map for cafes etc.

 

[400bhp]

Superb-will peruse over.

 

[neil_merseyside]

The route posted by Dodgy is good in that the Burton Marshes path is approached from the 'not disallowed' direction.
Wirral Way from 22-30 may have belligerant dog walkers (we were here first etc) at weekends. From 30 to 31.5 a posted less busy route is directly opposite exit from railbed. Promenade from 31.5 to 33.5 ish is easiest on road rather than unlabelled/unsegregated footway. Promenade from 33.5 to 36.5 isn't a cycle route but no-one realises and other than being rough concrete is OK - some permitted users MAY know the legal status and tell you to get off and walk (33.5 to 35 /Lighthouse has a rough gravel path behind the prom wall). From 36.5 to 37 the bike path is behind splash wall not on promenade.

 

[dodgy]

The route posted by Dodgy is good in that the Burton Marshes path is approached from the 'not disallowed' direction.
Wirral Way from 22-30 may have belligerant dog walkers (we were here first etc) at weekends. From 30 to 31.5 a posted less busy route is directly opposite exit from railbed. Promenade from 31.5 to 33.5 ish is easiest on road rather than unlabelled/unsegregated footway. Promenade from 33.5 to 36.5 isn't a cycle route but no-one realises and other than being rough concrete is OK - some permitted users MAY know the legal status and tell you to get off and walk (33.5 to 35 /Lighthouse has a rough gravel path behind the prom wall). From 36.5 to 37 the bike path is behind splash wall not on promenade.

Neil,

Are you still banging on about the Burton Marsh Greenway (for that is what it is called) being open or not?

As for the rest of the route, I think the route I posted is sensible. But if you want to suggest alternatives, far better to put a map up rather than a list of textual instructions.